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Volvo V70 oil pressure issue

I'm working on a 200 Volvo V70-XC. 96K miles. It's acting like there might be an oil pressure problem. Here's the story:

After a recent oil change, the oil warning light on the dash starts to light on startup, goes out as soon as the revs are anywhere above idle, then stays out during driving, only to come back on during braking and at idle. Braking downhill seems to cause it to light earlier. Weird.

I replaced the oil pressure sending unit, which seems like the most obvious thing to do. The oil change guys installed 5W-30 motor oil, which appears to be the spec for this engine. The oil level on the dipstick is correct. Experience tells me that this car "shouldn't" have anywhere enough miles on it -- given basic service -- to allow bearing wear that would be significant enough to affect oil pressure. Volvo engines are supposed to be able to run 300K miles without problems.

Should I try using a heavier weight oil? Could it be that there's another sender/sensor connected to the oil light? I can't find a decent manual on this car, as apparently Haynes didn't write one for the 1998-200) V-series.

Any ideas or thoughts much appreciated!

Reply to
Jonathan Ward
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In article ,

The engine can run 300k miles, but the oil pump may not. Put a gauge in place of the sending unit and measure pressure at idle. If it's too low, which it almost certainly will be, pull the pan and check out the oil pump. If it appears worn, replace it. If it appears sludged up, clean it out and consider flushing the oil system.

Spend the money for the factory manual, because you are going to need it.

A heavier weight oil might be a good temporary fix if your bearings are worn, but I bet they aren't. Either your oil pump is bad, or the oil system is sludged up, and pulling the pan will tell you which.

--scott

Reply to
Scott Dorsey

let's get back to that...

they /say/ they installed that grade. it's more than possible that

5w-20 was mistakenly installed since that's quite a common grade these days.

if the problem arose immediately after an oil change, the first suspect is the oil, not the sender unit or any other componentry. suggest you change the oil again yourself - that way you can ensure the factory recommended grade of oil is actually used. don't cheap out on it either

- buy a reputable brand. use a decent filter too - i suggest avoiding fram.

Reply to
jim beam

,

Agreed, and other things to check include the oil filter (did they use the right one? Did the one they installed suffer an internal failure?) and the oil pickup in the pan (any chance you recently acquired a new oil pan dent that could have pushed the pickup screen out of place or even broken it?

Reply to
Steve

America lost over four hundred Soldiers in World War Two,,, Bombing some German ball bearing factories.So-called neutrel Sweden took up the slack, supplying ball bearings to Nazi Germany.There is NO Way I will/want to ever own anything made in Sweden, or Switzerland either.Switzerland was working both sides of the coin in World War Two. cuhulin

Reply to
cuhulin

America lost over four hundred Soldiers in World War Two, Bombing German ball bearing factories. So-called [neutral] Sweden took up the slack, supplying ball bearings to Nazi Germany. NO WAY will I ever own anything made in Sweden or Switzerland. Switzerland was working both sides of the coin in World War Two. ________________________________________________________

The citizens of Sweden and Switzerland in 2008 are not the same persons as the government officials in those countries in the 1940s.

The citizens of Japan and Germany in 2008 are not the same persons as the government officials in those countries in the 1940s.

There is no reason to hate innocent descendants for historic acts. Welcome all those of good will to the family of peaceful nations.

Let us focus our anger on those who TODAY strive to slaughter all of civilized humanity on behalf of a bloodthirsty religion.

Rodan.

Reply to
Rodan

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