I am new to this message board so I'm sorry if I am posting this question in the wrong place.

My family has owned a 84 240 Dl for nearly 14 years and we love it dearly. I recently gave it to my girlfriend so she could have a safe car, she previously had a 72 Volkswagon Bug. She has been driving it for almost two years and we are now changing the oil ourselves to save money. We dont have the original owners manual so I'm a little unclear on how much to put in with a full oil change including changing the oil filter. I took out nearly 5 quarts, so I put 5 in, but I'm not sure if that is enough. Can someone tell me the amount? Also does anyone have any advice on what type of oil to put in? I put the Valvoline Max in. Thanks

With a filter listed for Volvo's, about 4 1/2 quarts should be about right. With a "mega" Motorcraft 1A, it'll be 5.

BTW, you didn't use a Fram or Pennzoil filter, didya?

As for oil ... the good thing is that Max-life starts with a cleaner Group III base stock, which is better than Castrol's so-called synthetic, Syntec. The not-as-good part of it is that the extra additives, with properties much the same as ATF, means there's less oil in the oil.

Snythetic is best, but cost does run up. For more cost effectiveness, you're prolly better off with one of the million-mile oils, like Chevron Delo 400, Mobil Delvac, or Shell Rotella T.

-- Kane

1) Get the owners manual, ebay, Volvo etc. "Everybody" pokes fun at these books but they do belong with your car, as part of your car, and besides they have some useful info.

2) Your engine and filter hold a little over 4 qts. (One reason I like the dual remote oil filter, plus oil cooler on the turbo, with lines etc the car holds well over 5.5+ qts (really 6) - the more oil the better, to a limit - but don't overfill your engine!!) If you put 5 in your engine it must be overfilled...watch for leaks and some consumption - but you should be borderline OK. What does the dipstick say?

3) Use the SAE viscosity and the API grade (or later) called for in your owner's manual.

4) As for brands, Valvoline Max is marketing crap. If you have no leaks, switch to synthetic. Amsoil is the best. If you stay with petroleum oil, change oil frequently, and use one of the long run diesel (and gasoline) rated oils such as Chevron Delo 400, Shell, etc

Hello.

I believe the 240s use four quarts of oil. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong or if there's a difference in engine types (B21, B230, etc.).

There's been plenty of discussion on this board regarding the best type of oil to use. You can do a search in the archives to read up on what others have said. For those who choose synthetic, Mobil 1 seems to be the favorite. Synthetic seems to clean the engine more efficiently.

I've heard that with older engines, a sudden change to synthetic may "open" some very small leaks that had been "plugged" by regular oil. I have yet to perform my own oil change, so I've been doing my own research in preparation. What I plan to do is put in three quarts of regular oil and one quart of synthetic since my car has always used old-fashioned oil. But I think what's more important is changing the oil on a regular basis in the first place. My dealer has serviced my car since it was a baby, and my engine is in excellent shape (knock on plastic trim!).

FYI, my Volvo dealer in Dayton, Ohio uses Exxon Superflo Oil.

By the way, what do you plan to use for filters? Most people here feel that Mann is by far the best filter, again based on my own research. They crop up on eBay now and then (that's where I got mine), and I think foreign auto parts stores may have them, but many other car parts stores don't.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 202K miles "Bob the Butterscotch Beast"

You should never mix diffrent types of oils together, diffrent oils have diffrent aditives making many incompatable.

You can actually buy "semi" synthetic oil off the shelf, which is a blend of synthetic and mineral oil, and is a safer option.

Maybe I should just stick to regular oil since my dealer uses that. Thanks for the info.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 202K miles 'Bob the Butterscotch Beast'