1997 850 oil light at startup

thedancingfiddle · Post by **thedancingfiddle** » 03 Sep 2015, 16:47

Hey all,

My 1997 850 NA wagon has a slightly odd issue that seems to be worsening. When I first start the engine, it sounds extra noisy (a clatter sound) for a second, and the red oil light takes an extra second to go off. Now, I know this sounds just like it is low on oil, which I've checked many times and it will do this even when the oil level is fine on the dipstick.
What I have noticed is that it does this after sitting. (like overnight). If I park it for only a few hours, it starts without the clatter and the oil light.

Any ideas of where I should start?

Thanks!

captainkong · Post by **captainkong** » 03 Sep 2015, 17:33

I was having this same issue with my car until I changed oil filter. Was using a mobile 1 filter which was causing the oil light to come on for a brief second. Switched to the OEM which has a check valve that's supposed to hold oil pressure and haven't seen the light since. As for the clatter goes I don't know what would cause a sound like that.

Every now and then I'd get what sounded like a lifter ticking on start up but that also stopped once I changed my oil filter.

thedancingfiddle · Post by **thedancingfiddle** » 03 Sep 2015, 18:01

Hmm that's what I thought at first, but I'm using Mann filters, which I've always used, and have never had this occur before... it's due for a oil change in another 1000 miles or so, so I'll see if that helps anything.

Post by **mecheng** » 03 Sep 2015, 18:42

I had the same issue as my car was nearing its 8000km oil change. It had a frame filter. I switched to Mahle, so far no light or ticking. I will see if it continues to perform well up until the next oil change

Post by **abscate** » 03 Sep 2015, 18:45

Don't sweat it too much, just take it easy driving off from a cold start to give the oil time to get everywhere.

You will read a lot of tripe on the internet about catastrophic engine wear on startup...ignore this. At idle, with little low load, you can run an engine a remarkably long time with no oil pressure, just leftover oil on the bearings. Don't try this at home unless you have a white lab coat, a clipboard and a pocket protector.

Post by **FLXC90** » 03 Sep 2015, 21:06

How many miles on the car, what is your change frequency, and what oil are you using?
Perhaps the particular filter installed has a defective anti-drainback valve.
+1 to Abscate, don't sweat the current condition.

thedancingfiddle · Post by **thedancingfiddle** » 04 Sep 2015, 08:53

178k miles. It had also occurred to me that maybe the filter is defective, since this started before the last oil change, but didn't improve when the current filter was put in. I've been generally changing the oil about every 5 or 6k miles, but it has varied.
Also, since recently I've been losing oil and putting more in, the oil on the dipstick is not dirty yet. But maybe I'll change just the filter and see if that helps! (it was leaking a bunch from the drain plug bolt - which I thought I had fixed last oil change, but now it seems to be losing a bunch again..... I need to investigate further!)

And no, I'm not overly worried about it right now - hence I've just been driving it and making sure the oil level isn't too low. I just want to know what's up to satisfy my curiosity!

thedancingfiddle · Post by **thedancingfiddle** » 23 Sep 2015, 18:30

Quick update:
New filter, still same issue. Ah well, I don't have time to worry about this right now

And, I still cannot find where the oil is going. Would it be burning it? I've never smelled anything, and my last 850 with 260k miles never burned oil....

Post by **cn90** » 23 Sep 2015, 18:53

The cause is probably the infamous O-ring in the oil sump.
Probably OK now, but when you are bored, look into this particular issue.

Post by **mecheng** » 24 Sep 2015, 09:55

Switch from Mobil 1 filter to Mahle. 1000km into my oil change and no oil light issues. I would cringe for the first 2 seconds when the oil light would stay on and I hear ticking. Now it immediately extinguishes, no noise.

Mobil 1 filter is probably made in some mass market fashion. I can't say it was for sure if it is the design of the Fram filter I had or it was just clogged, but the filter only had 7000km on it.

If I reach 8000km on the Mahle with no oil light, I will never touch the orange can again but for now I will give it a slight beneifit of the doubt although when you watch this video you can see why it may be the cause.