Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ariel.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxb!houxm!vax135!ariel!jlw From: jlw@ariel.UUCP (J.WOOD) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: any hard data on saab/volvo reliability/low maintenance cost? Message-ID: <858@ariel.UUCP> Date: Sat, 23-Feb-85 07:22:32 EST Article-I.D.: ariel.858 Posted: Sat Feb 23 07:22:32 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 26-Feb-85 20:18:37 EST References: whuxlm.671 <12195@brunix.UUCP> <711@aluxe.UUCP> <855@ariel.UUCP> <876@uw-beaver> Organization: AT&T-ISL, Holmdel, NJ Lines: 41 This time my response is in regards to the reliability of Volvo turbos specifically. See my two previous articles for comments about other reliability issues with our 1982 Volvo Turbo Wagon. I said that I change the oil at 3750 mile intervals. This is based on Volvo's direct recommendation. We do it religiously. I feel that this issue is a place where the dealer was slightly underhanded. He didn't mention this little requirement until after he had our check safely in his hands. I received one mail message regarding my 3750 mile figure from an owner of another brand of turbocharged car who used 5000 miles as his criterion. The reason to change the oil so often on a turbocharged car is that the turbo is lubricated with engine oil. A turbo spins anywhere from 60krpm to 120krpm. This is fast, sports fans. Any dirt or combustion blow by will gall the bearings and zap your turbo. Also the thing gets awfully hot. Manu- facturers recommend that you idle you engine for anywhere from 10 seconds to a full minute before cutting off in order to draw off heat in the oil (its other important function) and in order not to have the oil pressure disappear when the turbo is spinning at high rpms. This last is also why for Volvo at least they recommend that the car be started with the foot off the accelerator pedal. Then you will not be asking for a big spin up of the turbo before oil pressure reaches it. The bottom line is that although we've had problems with this car, we have had no troubles with the turbo or other engine parts except the oil seals which were replaced under extended warranty. Joseph L. Wood, III AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Holmdel (201) 834-3759 titania!jlw