Volvo V60
Uprated variant of the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder with 169 kW and improved turbocharger geometry. Fitted in the second-generation V70 III and S80 II. Good balance of performance and long-term reliability with correct maintenance.
Solid everyday performance
Enough power for relaxed cruising. Not a sports car, but a dependable companion that never gets tired.
Engine Weaknesses 6
Timing belt replacement every 160,000 km or 10 years including water pump. Water pump is belt-driven — an old pump failing after belt replacement destroys the new belt.
Symptoms: No warning signal. Belt failure leads to total engine damage.
Identical problem to the B5254T2: plastic PCV system components fail with age. Elevated crankcase pressure forces oil through seals.
Symptoms: Whistling noise, oil leak at rear of engine, rising oil consumption, oil mist from breather hoses.
The boost pressure regulator actuator (wastegate) can seize or suffer diaphragm damage. The result is uncontrolled boost pressure or power loss.
Symptoms: Severely fluctuating power, sudden power loss, limp mode, check engine light with boost pressure fault code.
The B5254T7 oil separator is a known wear item. When blocked, crankcase overpressure blows out the crankshaft seals and pushes oil into the intake tract. Part cost approximately €300.
Symptoms: Hissing at idle, oil in air filter area, elevated oil consumption, oil spot under vehicle
The O-rings at the oil return fitting of the B5254T7 turbocharger become porous and leak. Often the root cause of blue exhaust smoke that is initially attributed to the engine. PCV problems accelerate O-ring wear.
Symptoms: Blue exhaust smoke under load, oil film on turbo housing, oil smell from engine bay
The B5254T7 thermostat occasionally sticks in the closed position or opens too late. The vehicle then shows excessively high readings on the temperature gauge, particularly on motorway runs and in high ambient temperatures.
Symptoms: Engine temperature rises unusually high, coolant boils at idle, temperature warning light
Reports & Tests
41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2010–2018). Most reported: Engine (15), Other (5), Powertrain (5).