Are Volvo's turbo engines reliable?

[Capt Caveman]

I can't believe I'm bumping a Fleabag2 thread.

I'm looking at possibly getting a turbo.

Volvo XC60 AWD 3.0 T60(turbo) - 300hp/325torque 17/22 mpg 0-60 in 6.9secs
or
Volvo XC60 AWD 3.2 - 240hp/235torque 18/24 mprg 0-60 in 8.3 secs (same performance as my QX4)

Obviously, the T60 will be more fun to drive but concerned about reliability. Most turbos require premium but the T60 only needs regular which I found interesting. Reading thru this thread, turbos can vary in quality. Any ideas if Volvo makes a good turbo engine?

Moved the posts to a new thread so you're more likely to get relevant answers.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[JCH13]

I can't believe I'm bumping a Fleabag2 thread.

I'm looking at possibly getting a turbo.

Volvo XC60 AWD 3.0 T60(turbo) - 300hp/325torque 17/22 mpg 0-60 in 6.9secs
or
Volvo XC60 AWD 3.2 - 240hp/235torque 18/24 mprg 0-60 in 8.3 secs (same performance as my QX4)

Obviously, the T60 will be more fun to drive but concerned about reliability. Most turbos require premium but the T60 only needs regular which I found interesting. Reading thru this thread, turbos can vary in quality. Any ideas if Volvo makes a good turbo engine?

I think you mean T6, not T60...

They do in my experience, and have been making them for a long time. Both my parents now have turbo charged volvos (1999 S80 T6 and 2007 S60R) the S80 T6 has about 170k miles on it now. I would definitely get the turbocharged engine in your new car if you like performance, the torque band will start between 1,500-2,000 rpm, which is quite nice.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Thanks for the input.

You're right, T6. The T6 isn't much more than the 3.2 and mpg doesn't fall by very much, plus it still uses regular gas.

Do you parents have to let the cars run for a little while before turning off the car? Or does the cooler keep running for a little while and turn off itself?

 

[GTaudiophile]

My favorite Volvo was parked on the street outside my apartment yesterday: a V50 wagon, T5, AWD, R-Type, and best of all, a 5-speed MT!

You can't even order a V50 like that anymore. All you can get now is the R-Type with the T5 engine. No options for MT or AWD

We have quite a few Volvo S40s around here as ZipCars, so I have driven both the 2.4i and T5. The difference between the two is pretty astounding with the T5 being a a lot more fun to drive. In fact, I much prefer it to the BMW 328xi ZipCars.

 

[JCH13]

Thanks for the input.

You're right, T6. The T6 isn't much more than the 3.2 and mpg doesn't fall by very much, plus it still uses regular gas.

Do you parents have to let the cars run for a little while before turning off the car? Or does the cooler keep running for a little while and turn off itself?

They've never needed idle to cool off the turbo, and I don't think there is an extra cooler or turbo timer to help with that.

As far as I can tell the "turbo cooking oil" thing MIGHT happen in a REALLY high performance turbo charger. I would let the car idle to cool off the turbo after an auto-x run or 1/4 mile run, but for everyday driving just don't thrash it for a few minutes before you park it and it'll be fine.

 

[franksta]

I can't comment on the T6 motor specifically but my wife's S40 has the T5. We bought it new and it had 6 miles on the odometer. It's at 80,000 or 85,000 now and has been solid. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Air filters are less frequent but I forget the interval. It's due for the timing belt at 100,000 I think which I am not excited about and spark plugs which should be fun.

A note about the fuel requirement. The manual for ours states that 87 octane using the (R+M)/2 method is the minimum but that premium is recommended. We have run 87, 89, 91, and 93 at various times. I'm guessing the performance is better with the higher octanes but my seat-of-pants dyno is out of calibration.

 

[NutBucket]

Always better to run premium with a turbo, no matter what "will work".

 

[Zenmervolt]

They've never needed idle to cool off the turbo, and I don't think there is an extra cooler or turbo timer to help with that.

As far as I can tell the "turbo cooking oil" thing MIGHT happen in a REALLY high performance turbo charger. I would let the car idle to cool off the turbo after an auto-x run or 1/4 mile run, but for everyday driving just don't thrash it for a few minutes before you park it and it'll be fine.

The modern Volvos have water-cooled turbos. There is a secondary circuit that circulates engine coolant through passages in the turbo's bearing housing to prevent coking and this is why you don't need to let the car idle. The system is even set up such that there is a thermosiphon and coolant flow will continue due to convection even after the engine is shut off. At least, this is the case with the T5 engines. I am certain that the T6 engines also use water cooled turbos, but I don't know the precise details of their cooling circuit (could use thermosiphon or could use an ancillary electric pump for circulation after engine shut down).

ZV

 

[JCH13]

The modern Volvos have water-cooled turbos. There is a secondary circuit that circulates engine coolant through passages in the turbo's bearing housing to prevent coking and this is why you don't need to let the car idle. The system is even set up such that there is a thermosiphon and coolant flow will continue due to convection even after the engine is shut off. At least, this is the case with the T5 engines. I am certain that the T6 engines also use water cooled turbos, but I don't know the precise details of their cooling circuit (could use thermosiphon or could use an ancillary electric pump for circulation after engine shut down).

ZV

Ah, that makes sense. :thumbsup:

 

[Capt Caveman]

The modern Volvos have water-cooled turbos. There is a secondary circuit that circulates engine coolant through passages in the turbo's bearing housing to prevent coking and this is why you don't need to let the car idle. The system is even set up such that there is a thermosiphon and coolant flow will continue due to convection even after the engine is shut off. At least, this is the case with the T5 engines. I am certain that the T6 engines also use water cooled turbos, but I don't know the precise details of their cooling circuit (could use thermosiphon or could use an ancillary electric pump for circulation after engine shut down).

ZV

Thanks. From an owner perspective, what additional maintenance does a turbo require? How often would you need to replace the coolant?

 

[JCH13]

Thanks. From an owner perspective, what additional maintenance does a turbo require? How often would you need to replace the coolant?

Check out this:

XC60 T6 Schedule

XC60 3.2 Schedule

They each have 3 notices, not sure what they are for.

 

[Bryf50]

My parents have a 2010 XC60 T6 and it hasn't had any mechanical issues so far. As far as i know they only put regular gas in it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Thanks. From an owner perspective, what additional maintenance does a turbo require? How often would you need to replace the coolant?

Coolant would be on a normal schedule, it's far more time sensitive than engine stress sensitive.

I generally recommend synthetic oil with a turbo just out of caution, but even that isn't strictly necessary.

Overall, a good stock turbo setup shouldn't be any more maintenance intensive than a non-turbo setup. With water-cooling, turbos are lasting 150,000 or even 200,000 miles without the need for a rebuild and stock setups are usually conservative enough that you're not over-stressing things. If you re-flash the ECU or start modding, all bets are off, but stock engines with turbos are generally pretty reliable today.

ZV

 

[Capt Caveman]

Thanks for the info folks!

Now, the question is which color:

Barents Blue

Electric Silver

Seashell

 

[Mide]

One vote for seashell

 

[Capt Caveman]

One vote for seashell

They actually have one equipped exactly with I want in Seashell at the Dealership down the street from me. Originally, I wanted Electric Silver but the Barents Blue has been growing on me.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Blue.

 

[GTaudiophile]

BTW, is it just me or do Volvos have the best stock audio in the business?

 

[JCH13]

BTW, is it just me or do Volvos have the best stock audio in the business?

The stereos are very good, especially in the premium trims.

I vote for the seashell too, though the blue is a close second.

+1 on the synthetic oil. I don't know if Volvo specifies it, but all of the competent Volvo mechanics that my parents have gone to have basically insisted on it.

 

[DivideBYZero]

My Brother in Law has a 1998 V70 T5-R and he has had no issues with the motor whatsoever.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Not sure about colour... possibly Barents Blue.

 

[GTaudiophile]

It sucks that you can no longer get them with manual trannys anymore.

 

[Howard]

I like blue.

 

[zerocool84]

Always better to run premium with a turbo, no matter what "will work".

No

You run whatever the owner's manual recommends. Just because it's turbo doesn't mean it needs premium.

 

[HarryLui]

The modern Volvos have water-cooled turbos.

If by modern, you mean since mid 1980's. Most redblocks, all (whiteblock) T4, T5, or T6 engine have watercooled turbos.

My 94 850 have over 300,000 miles. Original engine. The only maintenance you really need is to make sure you check your oil level once in a while, and do change the oil regularly.