Volvo: Volvo C70, volvo c70, sweet solution

Question
QUESTION: Hi.
I have a Volvo C70 2001 & it runs / ticks over perfectly & there are no warning lights on.
The problem is when the car is running but sat still black / grey smoke starts coming out of the exhaust & it makes no differnce whether the car is hot or cold.
I love the car but so gutted about the problem as I can't afford to fix an expesive problem & I can't sit in traffic either - which is pretty hard to avoid doing.
Any info on this problem would be great, thanks Claire



ANSWER: Claire,
Well sounds as if the car is burning oil, that will be a costly repair. Maybe a shop can provide you with some info if they can get a look at the car and do some testing. They should also be able to quote you some repair costs. Just possibly only the turbo is causing the oil burning, that could be less expensive. There is not a short sweet solution to stop the oil burning. That is if that is determined to be the fault.

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QUESTION: Hi Ray,
I had someone look over it & he reckoned it was the rings but how can you guarantee that's what it is.
From what I described would you think it could be to do with them?
Many thanks Claire

Answer
Claire,
To futher test the engine do a compression test, a cylinder leakage test. That should tell you the condition of the rings and the valves. If that test shows no real leakage it maybe just valve guide seals or valve guides. That is still a costly repair since the head will need to be removed.