General So, the VEA oil consumption issue.

[CLF]

Are they all bad, or just lots of them? What are the chances of getting a good one?

I understand people only tend to leave bad reviews or complain about things online, people rarely leave positive stuff on forum like this, what are the VEA, specifically the pre 2017 D4s really like, anyone here have a problem free one?

I don't think I would have bought any of my V70s (P2 and P3 petrols) or a D5 XC90 (all pretty much faultless) if I'd have taken too much notice of the horror stories attributed to them on here.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by CLF

Are they all bad, or just lots of them? What are the chances of getting a good one?

I understand people only tend to leave bad reviews or complain about things online, people rarely leave positive stuff on forum like this, what are the VEA, specifically the pre 2017 D4s really like, anyone here have a problem free one?

I don't think I would have bought any of my V70s (P2 and P3 petrols) or a D5 XC90 (all pretty much faultless) if I'd have taken too much notice of the horror stories attributed to them on here.

A Volvo mechanic told me that 2017 onwards are the models to go for, as they improved the design of the piston rings, EGR and EGR cooler around that time. I asked him about the earlier ones and his answer was "Don't touch it with a barge pole."

If your budget can stretch to a 2017 onwards model, its a better bet. Buying pre 2017 can be a gamble, but plenty have them and not had major issues. I personally know people with D4's pre 2017 and the general consensus hasn't been great. All of them have had trouble with EGR's. One particular lady I know has had a nightmare and it has spent more time in the garage than on her drive, but obviously I can't speak for everyone. I do know some people with VEA's in their cars and they haven't had problems. Quite a few of my friends own Volvo's you see.

The 4 cylinder engines aren't as good as the 5 cylinder engines in my honest opinion. The 4's may be more refined and better on fuel, but they just aren't as robust.

I can't honestly give you a 100% definitive answer. Any car can have problems. If you really want a VEA, I'd personally suggest going for a 2017 onwards. If you can't stretch that far, then go for an earlier one, but have money aside for the EGR/EGR cooler (that's not cheap, £1,200 in parts alone, then labour on top... could easily be a 2k repair or close to it). That doesn't mean to say a 2017 won't have issues, its a used car, but the design of the parts that usually fail is better 2017 onwards.

[CLF]

Thanks Kev, I've already prepared myself for possible EGR issues, I'm happy enough giving that system a good clean myself when the time comes. Can't stretch to a 2017 or later model yet unfortunately.

I'm fairly meticulous when it comes to oil changes, I tend to change oil every 5 or 6k regardless of official intervals, I'm hoping this will help if I buy an already well maintained car, as a lot of Volvos seem to be, if nothing else we tend to look after them well as owners.

I'll definitely stay away from the business editions and the r-designs, I suspect they might get a bit more abuse.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by CLF

Thanks Kev, I've already prepared myself for possible EGR issues, I'm happy enough giving that system a good clean myself when the time comes. Can't stretch to a 2017 or later model yet unfortunately.

I'm fairly meticulous when it comes to oil changes, I tend to change oil every 5 or 6k regardless of official intervals, I'm hoping this will help if I buy an already well maintained car, as a lot of Volvos seem to be, if nothing else we tend to look after them well as owners.

I'll definitely stay away from the business editions and the r-designs, I suspect they might get a bit more abuse.

The mechanic I spoke to mentioned that... frequent oil changes at lower intervals really helps. Good quality oil at the right spec too. He also mentioned they need regular motorway drives... Its not a car for tootling around town, but then again, no modern diesel with a DPF is.

You're based in Manchester. There's two good Volvo specialists in your area (independent garages), so if anything beyond DIY repair comes up, you can bring it to them. Trevor Burgess in Hyde or Hallmark Volvo in Stockport.

[CLF]

Yep, this car is going to be for the longer journeys that's for sure. I'm not in Manchester anymore, moved up to the lakes a couple of years ago, I seem to be back there most weekends hence the need for a comfortable economical cruiser.

My 15 year old petrol Alfa is getting a bit long in the tooth for that sort of regular journey now and as it has started appreciating in price I hate putting unnecessary miles on it.

I never tried Trevor Burgess before, Hallmark were great for sourcing parts, glad they've re opened. I remember them when they used to be on the A6 near the town hall. I can highly recommend http://independentvehicles.co.uk/ based in Timperley, they're an indy Volvo specialist who have dug me out of mechanical holes on a few occasions in the past.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by CLF

Yep, this car is going to be for the longer journeys that's for sure. I'm not in Manchester anymore, moved up to the lakes a couple of years ago, I seem to be back there most weekends hence the need for a comfortable economical cruiser.

My 15 year old petrol Alfa is getting a bit long in the tooth for that sort of regular journey now and as it has started appreciating in price I hate putting unnecessary miles on it.

I never tried Trevor Burgess before, Hallmark were great for sourcing parts, glad they've re opened. I remember them when they used to be on the A6 near the town hall. I can highly recommend http://independentvehicles.co.uk/ based in Timperley, they're an indy Volvo specialist who have dug me out of mechanical holes on a few occasions in the past.

Ah okay. Sounds like a Volvo definitely meets your needs... comfortable cruiser's they certainly are.

So Hallmark closed/moved from the A6 to their new location, is that what you mean? I've used them for the past 6 years or so. I didn't know they were on the A6 prior to their new shop. There was a Volvo dealership on the A6 many moons ago, that was near the town hall. I can't remember the name, but it might have been Hallmark. Might be the same name, but that was a dealership not an independent garage. Just intrigued, that's all.

Thanks for the suggestion of the other garage. Good to know there's alternatives. I haven't tried Trevor Burgess either, but I know people who have and they say its a good garage too.

[CLF]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Ah okay. Sounds like a Volvo definitely meets your needs... comfortable cruiser's they certainly are.

So Hallmark closed/moved from the A6 to their new location, is that what you mean? I've used them for the past 6 years or so. I didn't know they were on the A6 prior to their new shop. There was a Volvo dealership on the A6 many moons ago, that was near the town hall. I can't remember the name, but it might have been Hallmark. Might be the same name, but that was a dealership not an independent garage. Just intrigued, that's all.

Thanks for the suggestion of the other garage. Good to know there's alternatives. I haven't tried Trevor Burgess either, but I know people who have and they say its a good garage too.

It was years ago on the A6, thinking about it I don't think it was Hallmark, Dean Smith rings a bell maybe? I'm definitely confusing Hallmark with a main dealers, I'm easily confused by names to be fair, must be an age thing.

[Sotosound]

The redesigned pistons and rings were introduced with engine number 1501327 sometime in 2016, but there is no guarantee that a car first registered in 2017 or 2018 wasn't actually manufactured before the switchover. So a check of engine number is always recommended if you're worried about oil consumption in a VEA engine.

My own experience is that my late 2014 V70 D4 seems ok-ish at 169k miles, but my good lady's late 2015 V60 D3 suffered from high oil consumption from well below 100k miles. As a consequence, I asked for engine number on every car that was being considered as a replacement for the V60. She now drives a 2018 S60 D4 that hasn't yet asked for oil despite doing over 10k miles since it was purchased last autumn.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

The redesigned pistons and rings were introduced with engine number 1501327 sometime in 2016, but there is no guarantee that a car first registered in 2017 or 2018 wasn't actually manufactured before the switchover. So a check of engine number is always recommended if you're worried about oil consumption in a VEA engine.

My own experience is that my late 2014 V70 D4 seems ok-ish at 169k miles, but my good lady's late 2015 V60 D3 suffered from high oil consumption from well below 100k miles. As a consequence, I asked for engine number on every car that was being considered as a replacement for the V60. She now drives a 2018 S60 D4 that hasn't yet asked for oil despite doing over 10k miles since it was purchased last autumn.

When you say a "check of engine number", how? Phone the dealer, or is there a sticker somewhere?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by CLF

Are they all bad, or just lots of them? What are the chances of getting a good one?

I understand people only tend to leave bad reviews or complain about things online, people rarely leave positive stuff on forum like this, what are the VEA, specifically the pre 2017 D4s really like, anyone here have a problem free one?

I don't think I would have bought any of my V70s (P2 and P3 petrols) or a D5 XC90 (all pretty much faultless) if I'd have taken too much notice of the horror stories attributed to them on here.

No they are not all bad , the older VEA can be ok, but certain driving styles such as frequent short journeys can carbon up the piston ring oil drain holes.
Volvo redesigned the piston oil control rings and introduced that change in 2016 from engine number 1501327. So check the engine number on any one you are interested in.