VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

SERVICE BULLETIN
Language Code Group Product No. Version Date Page
GB 220 ART/ BHL/ CEX/ COA/ COS/ CWL/ EXC/ GRD/ 10 2 2021-02-24 1/5
MET/ MEW/ PAT/ PAW/ PIP/ SSL/ WLO
Applies to models
All Articulated Haulers, All Asphalt Compactors, All Backhoe Loaders, All Compact Excavators, All Compact
Wheel Loaders, All Excavators, All Motor Graders, All Pipelayers, All Skidsteer Loaders, All Soil Compactors, All
Tracked Milling equipment, All Tracked Pavers, All Wheel Loaders, All Wheeled Milling equipment, All Wheeled
pavers
Supersedes SB 220 ART / BHL / CEX / COA / COS / CWL / EXC / GRD / MET / MEW / PAT / PAW / PIP / SSL /
WLO 10 Version 1 dated 2015-05-29. Changes are marked with lines in the margin.

Check method on engine oil consumption

NOTE!
Read and understand the safety instructions in the Operator's
Manual and Service Information for the machine.
This Service Bulletin is to be considered as technical information
only and is not subject to any reimbursement programs outside
normal warranty.
NOTE!
This Service Bulletin does not apply to new electric models like
the L25 Electric and ECR25 Electric.

Cause
To explain how to check and estimate engine oil consumption.

Action
Check and estimate the engine oil consumption with fuel
consumption as the following instruction.

Introduction
The oil consumption is in many cases used as a measure of the
condition of the engine. Normally all engines use a certain amount
of oil. The film of oil that lubricates the upper piston rings is burned
at the same time as the fuel, which gradually causes the oil level
to drop. There are of course also other factors that affect the oil
consumption, e.g. operating conditions and the condition of the
engine. Here follows a short description of influencing factors,
checking and measuring methods and which action can be taken
to manage any problems.

Factors influencing the oil consumption

Stable engine load condition of 75% during operation leads to
lowest oil consumption. Long idle time and frequent fast load
change during operation leads to higher oil consumption.
Oil has the ability to penetrate the smallest openings. Therefore,
proceed as follows:
- Check for oil leakage around the engine and components

Volvo Construction Equipment

Feedback mail: sb@volvo.com
Language Code Group Product No. Version Date Page
GB 220 ART/ BHL/ CEX/ COA/ COS/ CWL/ EXC/ GRD/ 10 2 2021-02-24 2/5
MET/ MEW/ PAT/ PAW/ PIP/ SSL/ WLO

- Check for oil leakage at the turbocharger

- Check for oil leakage at induction manifold/charge air pipe
- Take a lubricating oil sample
All affected bolts should be check-tightened.
A too high oil level causes more oil to be thrown up on the cylinder
walls and this increases the oil consumption. The oil level should
be kept slightly below the full mark on the oil dipstick. Only check
the oil level a few minutes after the engine has stopped to allow
the oil to run back to the oil sump.
Too thin oil will result in a higher oil consumption because of
difficulties of maintaining a sealing film of oil between piston rings
and cylinder wall at high temperature. Too thick oil provides
unsatisfactory lubrication and thereby increased wear, which in
the long run will result in increased oil consumption. Always use
the recommended oil grade and type according to the Operator's
Manual.
Also long periods of idling and operation at low speed may cause
increased oil consumption. Faulty and worn piston rings, oil
scraper rings, ring grooves, pistons, cylinders, valve guides result
in high oil consumption, as oil leak into the combustion chamber.

Abnormal low oil consumption

Some attention should also be given to low oil consumption,
because the low oil consumption may be illusory. Used up oil may
have been compensated through condensation water, coolant or
fuel dilution, thus keeping the level unchanged. Intermixed
coolant gives the oil a greyish tint, whereas intermixed fuel does
not show. These factors result in impaired lubrication and should
lead to more frequent oil changes. Intermixed fuel also mean an
additional safety risk as the flash point of the oil is lowered. Take
samples of lubricating oil and have them analyzed.

Checking and estimating oil consumption

The duration of the test period should be at least 250 hours in
order to avoid jumping to conclusions and taking unnecessary
action. On an engine that has reached working temperature, the
oil dipstick can be read off three minutes after stop. If the engine
has been started, but not reached working temperature, wait for
at least five minutes.
NOTE!
The minimum test period of compact product (under D4 engine)
can be applicable as 150 hours in case of low machine operating.
Language Code Group Product No. Version Date Page
GB 220 ART/ BHL/ CEX/ COA/ COS/ CWL/ EXC/ GRD/ 10 2 2021-02-24 3/5
MET/ MEW/ PAT/ PAW/ PIP/ SSL/ WLO

Instruction
NOTE!
Before test is started closely inspect the engine sealings, oil
filters, oil hoses, CAC hoses, intake hoses, turbo charger,
connections etc.
1 Download Matris data from machine before test if the machine
is equipped with this capability.
2 Begin with full fuel tank and new oil filled to the Max mark on
oil dip stick.
3 Note the hour recorder reading and fuel, oil amount every time
you fill fuel and oil.
NOTE!
- Don't top up the oil until the oil level has reached the Min
line.
- Never fill oil to above the Max line.
- In case the oil is changed during the test period, check the
oil level before the draining, and then refill to the same oil
level.
4 End with full fuel tank and oil filled to the Max line at the same
condition as the initial condition and make a note of the
amount.
5 Download the Matris data from the machine after the test if the
machine is equipped with this capability.
6 Perform VCADS/Tech tool operation (op. no. 21006-3
Cylinder compression) to check that all the cylinders have
even compression if the machine is equipped with this
capability.
7 Add up the total oil amount and fuel amount which was filled
during the test.
8 Calculate the engine oil consumption rate as below example.
Engine oil consumption rate (%) = (Total engine oil
consumption) / (Total fuel consumption) X 100.

Normal consumption
1 Oil consumption of 0.45% or less = OK at all-load operation
(D4 – D16 engine).
2 Oil consumption of 0.75% or less = OK at all-load operation
(Under D4 engine).
3 If these limit value are exceeded, it is recommended to check
the items in Table 2 before contacting Technical support as
the essential check points of high oil consumption problem.
NOTE!
In some cases, engine oil consumption can be higher than the
stated according to driving conditions.
NOTE!
A new or fully overhauled engine often uses more oil than a run-
in engine. Only after 1000 – 1500 operating hours, when the
piston rings have bedded-in in the cylinders, it is possible to
correctly determine the oil consumption.
The minimum operating hours of compact product (under D4
engine) can be applicable as 500 – 750 hours in case of low
machine operating.
Language Code Group Product No. Version Date Page
GB 220 ART/ BHL/ CEX/ COA/ COS/ CWL/ EXC/ GRD/ 10 2 2021-02-24 4/5
MET/ MEW/ PAT/ PAW/ PIP/ SSL/ WLO

Table 1. Oil consumption report

Machine serial Operating
no. hours
Machine model
Engine serial Engine Part
no. No
Working Working
Delivery date
environment attachment
Oil
consumption
Manufacturer
rate (Oil/Fuel)
(%)
Fuel
Used engine oil
Specification consumption
(liters/hours)
Oil
Class consumption
(liters/hours)
Operating
Hour meter Oil refilled Fuel refilled
Date hours Sign Remarks
reading (hours) (liters) (liters)
between fills

Total
NOTE!
Attach Matris data if the machine is equipped with this capability.
Language Code Group Product No. Version Date Page
GB 220 ART/ BHL/ CEX/ COA/ COS/ CWL/ EXC/ GRD/ 10 2 2021-02-24 5/5
MET/ MEW/ PAT/ PAW/ PIP/ SSL/ WLO

Table 2. Check list

1) Check for visible external leakage of the engine.
Possible components: Valve cover gasket, crankcase ventilation pipes and gasket towards the engine block,
around the air compressor, oil filler pipe sealing towards the oil pan, dipstick sealing towards oil pan, EGR valve
and associated hoses, timing gear housing sealings, oil pan gasket, oil filter housing sealing towards the engine
block, oil filter housing covers (the ones that is mounted on the oil filter housing instead of filters) oil pipes/lines
to the remote oil filter housing, oil filter O-rings, the plug on the remote oil filter housing, on engines with wet
flywheel housing check also sealing towards PTO and starter motor, turbo lubrication and return line.
2) Check for air intake system including turbo.
Possible components: air filter - primary & secondary, air line (hose pin hole, clamping, pipe & elbow crack)
condition toward turbo, ambient temp & air filter clogging monitoring sensor mounting, turbo impeller inlet, turbo
exhaust oulet for oil, air line from turbo toward CAC, air line from CAC toward engine intake, pre-heater and air
intake manifold.
3) Perform a manual compression test (Prosis op. no. 210-002), bar/ kPa/ psi, etc. (if possible).
4) Perform a VCADS/Tech tool oil pressure test (op. no. 28407-3 Sensor values, monitoring) for low idle and high
idle when engine is warm enough (if possible).
- Oil pressure (bar/ kPa/ psi) @ low idle
- Oil pressure (bar/ kPa/ psi) @ high idle
5) Check fault codes with VCADS (if possible).
6) Perform a VCADS/Tech tool injector cut out (op. no. 23712-3 Injectors shut off, manual) and make sure that
the engine runs on 5 cylinders during the test so all injectors work (if possible).
7) Check the cylinder liners through an endoscope for glazing (if possible).
Remove the injectors and through that hole inspect the cylinder liners for polished areas (glazing) with a small
flexible camera (flexible endoscope).
8) Engine oil analysis
For oil, iron, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, aluminum, copper, tin, lead, TBN value, silicon, sodium, lithium,
soot, oxidation, sulphate, nitrates, water, magnesium, calcium, zinc, phosphorous, barium, borin, sulphur should
be tested.
9) Fuel analysis (look for water, sulphur and sodium/potassium)
For fuel sulphur, soot, water, cetan, acid level and potassium or sodium should be tested if it is done in a non-
Volvo lab.