I was walking past Patrick’s service bay this week and noticed something unusual: two full workbenches covered in engine components from a late-model Volvo (2013–2019).
“What happened?” I asked.
“Burnt valves,” he replied. “It needs a valve job.”
Thirty or forty years ago, a “valve job” was a common repair. Today? It’s extremely rare. So, what’s going on and can it be prevented?
What Is a Valve Job?
A valve job involves removing the cylinder head, restoring the valves and valve seats to new condition at a machine shop, and reinstalling everything to factory specifications. It’s a complex repair that can take 20 hours of labor and cost over $7,500. The good news? In most cases, it’s preventable.
What Causes Burnt Valves in Volvo Engines and other vehicles with “direct fuel injection”
- Carbon build-up in the combustion chamber
- Faulty Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems
- Carbon build-up on piston rings
- Carbon build-up on valves
- A combination of these factors
If left unaddressed, these conditions can lead to overheating of the valves, and eventually, failure. A “direct injection engine” means delivering a precise amount of fuel into the combustion chamber rather than to near the intake valve. This improves emissions and fuel economy but the intake valve cleaning effect is lost.
How to Prevent This Expensive Repair
At BA Auto Care, we’ve built our reputation around one principle: Preventive Maintenance protects your investment.
Here’s what we recommend for these Volvo engines:
- Regular oil changes using high-quality synthetic oil
- Using the high-octane fuel specified by Volvo
- Adding a carbon-cleaning fuel additive every 15,000 miles
- Addressing performance changes immediately
- Never ignoring a Check Engine Light or rough idle
If applicable, always confirm that any manufacturer recalls related to EGR or emissions systems have been completed. Nearly 48 years of servicing European vehicles has taught us one thing: small preventive steps today prevent major repairs tomorrow.
If you own a Volvo from 2013–2019, talk with us about a preventive maintenance plan tailored to your vehicle
