Worried about oil light!

jasonh · Post by **jasonh** » 29 Dec 2005, 09:40

I just purchased a 1999 V70 2.4 wagon, and the oil light has just started to rear it ugly face. The car has 71,000 miles (kind of low). When the car is cold, the light is not always on, but when the car gets warmed up the light goes on and off, and sometimes stays on. I was told that it cold be a screen or a weak oil pump. If anyone knows anything, I would really appreciate it. Thanx

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 30 Dec 2005, 03:46

It could be a clogged screen (possible if oil and filter were not changed regularly), damaged o-rings, or much less likely, the oil pump. See this thread for more info as the poster in it is having similar problems.

jasonh · Post by **jasonh** » 30 Dec 2005, 08:39

Thanx Sean, I did check out this thread and it is very helpful. I pulled the dipstick while the car is running as SaltyDog said to do, and there is light smoke coming out of the tube. I also pulled the cap and there is oil in the valvetrain. If there is smoke coming from the disptick area does what problems does this entail, I'm hoping that I don't need an engine rebuild, as Saltydog said that I might. I guess the question I'm asking, what other culprits could be causing the smoke.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 30 Dec 2005, 10:10

Smoke from the dipstick tube is a telltale sign of a clogged PCV system or possibly a broken/torn line that is responsible for providing the vacuum to suck oil vapors back into the intake tract.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 30 Dec 2005, 12:10

Wow Sean, It sounds like your the man. When you say p.c.v. system might be clogged, is that something easily remedied or is it more intrusive. I will start by telling you that I have done alot of mechanical work on my Chevy 1500 4x4, and I pretty much know that vehicle inside and out, but never worked on any Volvos. I obviously would like to do the work myself, but I would like to make sure that I can handle it first. Another question is, would I hurt anything by driving the car, like I said the oil level is good and when I take the filler cap off
there is oil in the valvetrain. Thanx again Jason

jasonh · Post by **jasonh** » 30 Dec 2005, 20:13

Sean, I saw that you posted a how to on cleaning pcv, and I think it will be very helpful. You will have to excuse me, for I have never posted anything on a forum and really don't know how they work, but I am learning. So everyone, please be patient with me.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 31 Dec 2005, 07:10

Anonymous wrote:Wow Sean, It sounds like your the man. When you say p.c.v. system might be clogged, is that something easily remedied or is it more intrusive. I will start by telling you that I have done alot of mechanical work on my Chevy 1500 4x4, and I pretty much know that vehicle inside and out, but never worked on any Volvos. I obviously would like to do the work myself, but I would like to make sure that I can handle it first. Another question is, would I hurt anything by driving the car, like I said the oil level is good and when I take the filler cap off
there is oil in the valvetrain. Thanx again Jason

Just to follow up, you can drive the car around, but I'd get that PCV stuff taken care of as soon as possible simply b/c if neglected, the excess pressure can cause expensive to fix leaks to show up.

jasonh · Post by **jasonh** » 31 Dec 2005, 17:39

One thing that I forgot to ask is if I do have a clogged pcv, would that cause the oil light to come on.