Volvo penta 2030 dipstick oil blowby

[David_cepi]

Hi everyone.

When I get the engine warm and take the oil filler cap off, I can see a bit of mist coming out (not in puffs) with an oil smell. Also, if I remove the dipstick from the dipstick tube, there is a bit of mist coming out from it too and oil droplets. The engine is not overfilled with oil (3/4 on the dipstick) And has 2700hrs.

I was wondering if this engines are known to do this or if there is a problem with it. The engine is using around 1 litre every 24h of oil, but starts nicely and runs smooth. I also did a compression test and the results are even between the cylinders (440psi) although it takes some cranking to build up the pressure.

My question is if I should worry about this and jump into a rebuilding.

Thanks.

 

[Refueler]

Using 1L every 24hrs ????? What VP engine is this ????

Sounds like oil is getting past rings into cylinders and being burnt along with fuel .... it would also explain the cranking to get compression ... the cold oil is sealing the ring to bore ....

OK - it would be normal for hot oil smell ... but not a mist ... dipstick similarly ....

Others more knowledgeable may shed better light on it ... but I would be concerned with this oil consumption ... maybe call in a mechanic to check it out .....

 

[David_cepi]

Ok. Thanks for your response. Ill try and get in touch with a mech.

 

[Aja]

Hi David and welcome to the forum.

Not familiar with the engine but do have an observation- why do you only fill the oil to 3/4s of the way up the dipstick?

The correct amount should be evident in you user's engine manual. I would always fill to that amount.

You must check that you have the correct amount and grade before anything else. It may be that the correct amount of oil only takes it to the 3/4 mark on the dipsrick of course.

 

[MM5AHO]

I've had an MD2030 since 1995. I reconditioned it 2 years back, but it probably didn't need it. Hourmeter has been unreliable but likely 3000 hours at that stage. It uses about 1L oil a season. No vapour from either filler cap or dip stick. If you have these symptoms, I think there's a problem. As Refueller suggested, likely rings.

 

[Refueler]

Hi David and welcome to the forum.

Not familiar with the engine but do have an observation- why do you only fill the oil to 3/4s of the way up the dipstick?

The correct amount should be evident in you user's engine manual. I would always fill to that amount.

You must check that you have the correct amount and grade before anything else. It may be that the correct amount of oil only takes it to the 3/4 mark on the dipsrick of course.

1/2 ... 3/4 ... or full - what difference does it make ?? As long as its well above minimum on stick ...

OP' comment of 3/4 - is as I suspect - just his decision to fill to that mark ....

 

[Stemar]

My old VP2003 of 1989 vintage never needed a top up between oil changes. I litre in 24 hours running sound more like my first car, that was only a couple of years younger than me.

 

[Aja]

1/2 ... 3/4 ... or full - what difference does it make ?? As long as its well above minimum on stick ...

OP' comment of 3/4 - is as I suspect - just his decision to fill to that mark ....

Thank you for that illustrative reply.

 

[Daydream believer]

Up until the last 20minutes, when my 2020 suddenly had a heart attack & died, it ran perfectly & started instantly. Never used any oil- unless accidentaly overfilled, or filled to within an 1/8 inch of the max on the dipstick whereupon it leaked oil out somewhere. It finally died at around 5000 hours.

 

[David_cepi]

Thanks for all replies.

The oil consumption seems to stop when the dipstick is at 1/4. I have read that the 2030 squirts some oil out of the dipstick due to the design of the dipstick tube.

I have another reconditioned 2030 which I may swap if those signs I have are really a red flag (which look as they are).

Thanks for the replies everyone. Very helpful.

 

[Tamar]

Thanks for all replies.

The oil consumption seems to stop when the dipstick is at 1/4. I have read that the 2030 squirts some oil out of the dipstick due to the design of the dipstick tube.

I have another reconditioned 2030 which I may swap if those signs I have are really a red flag (which look as they are).

Thanks for the replies everyone. Very helpful.

I have a Perkins M30 a rebadged 2030. It has 1500 hrs on the clock. It leaks a bit of oil occasionally from the throttle lever but not every time. I have noticed that if I fill to the mark it will use oil until 3/4s full on the dipstick and then sit there until the next oil change. I don't know why this happens.
I don't get any vapour or smoke from anywhere.
Does your engine smoke from the exhaust?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks for all replies.

The oil consumption seems to stop when the dipstick is at 1/4. I have read that the 2030 squirts some oil out of the dipstick due to the design of the dipstick tube.

I have another reconditioned 2030 which I may swap if those signs I have are really a red flag (which look as they are).

Thanks for the replies everyone. Very helpful.

You keep referring to 3/4 of the way up the dipstick, do you mean up the whole dipstick, or just 3/4 of the way up the marked section towards the bottom of the dipstick ?

If the oils is drained, how much do you put in to refill it ?

 

[David_cepi]

I have a Perkins M30 a rebadged 2030. It has 1500 hrs on the clock. It leaks a bit of oil occasionally from the throttle lever but not every time. I have noticed that if I fill to the mark it will use oil until 3/4s full on the dipstick and then sit there until the next oil change. I don't know why this happens.
I don't get any vapour or smoke from anywhere.
Does your engine smoke from the exhaust?

It does smoke when i rev it hard, but not every time I have tried. It also leaks through the throttle arm.

Regarding the throttle arm leak, I have done this repair in another 2030 Which I rebuild. if you have any questions about this, I am happy to help. Havent ventured to fix it in the engine I have onboard cause I don’t think it work the risk just for this little leak.

 

[Tamar]

It does smoke when i rev it hard, but not every time I have tried. It also leaks through the throttle arm.

Regarding the throttle arm leak, I have done this repair in another 2030 Which I rebuild. if you have any questions about this, I am happy to help. Havent ventured to fix it in the engine I have onboard cause I don’t think it work the risk just for this little leak.

Thanks.. Its only intermittent at the moment but it will get worse over time, so I would appreciate your help when I eventually tackle this job. Thanks

 

[johnalison]

You keep referring to 3/4 of the way up the dipstick, do you mean up the whole dipstick, or just 3/4 of the way up the marked section towards the bottom of the dipstick ?

If the oils is drained, how much do you put in to refill it ?

I think this is the point that needs to be settled. The dipstick has a marked area which is only an inch or so long and I have never heard anyone referring to fractions of the filled level before. As I understand it, overfilling can be harmful and has to be avoided. I was once told that a diesel would be expected to use some oil, but I have generally only needed to top up with the odd slurp every once in a while, though I check at every visit.

 

[Slowboat35]

I'd say that "a bit of mist" and some oil droplets is exactly what you'd expect to see and is perfectly normal.
The inside of an angine is full of oil droplets in suspension in air due to all those parts whizzing around and chucking the oil about. There is always a little blowback past rings or valve guides so the oil-mist will waft out of the aperture if dipstick or filler cap are removed.
What you don't want is lots of blow-back pressure, to check that put the filler and dipstick back in place, remove the breather tube (probably runs from rocker-box to air-cleaner) and put your finger over the breather - there should be no more than light pressure there. Excessive blow-by will result in you feeling your finger being firmly forced off the breather. A light puff is fine. (You could actually do the same test by using your hand/finger to block the filler/dipstick aperture to feel the pressure.)
One litre of oil per 24hrs doe not sound excessive aither, though perhaps more than usual but big deal, you are aware of it, you cope with it, it's fine. But do keep a record of oil added against hours run and if it gets progressively worse then maybe an investigation is needed. If it stays the same I'd just live with it.

 

[Refueler]

One litre of oil per 24hrs doe not sound excessive aither, though perhaps more than usual but big deal, you are aware of it, you cope with it, it's fine. But do keep a record of oil added against hours run and if it gets progressively worse then maybe an investigation is needed. If it stays the same I'd just live with it.

Are you serious Slowboat ????

1lt per 24hrs is way beyond any reasonable consumption .... even on later engines that are designed to sip a bit of oil ....