2004 2.5 low oil pressure, stop car safely

Jdwyer · Post by **Jdwyer** » 24 Jan 2020, 07:49

I have 160,000 miles on a second-owner car that was well maintained by the original owner (friend). There have been two instances recently of the "low oil pressure-stop car safely" light coming on in the last week. Oil volume is fine; about 5000 miles since last change at well-regarded local independent shop. Each time the light comes on the driver has stopped and, after a short wait, has restarted with no light and no issues.

I've looked at several posts and see references to oil pan perimeter seals (not obvious how that could create pressure issue) and references to O-rings in the pickup. Is there an O ring between the pickup entry and the pump that's above the level of the oil in the sump? That definitely makes sense. Also, I don't see any references to bad pressure sender units. Has anyone found that to be the issue?

Post by **cn90** » 25 Jan 2020, 09:37

There are literally tens of these DIYs in forum.
You can search P80 forum for the DIYs on the O-rings

Below is a DIY from a 2000 XC70:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31236.

Post by **June** » 25 Jan 2020, 10:30

Don't forget to replace the oil pickup tube. The old style is prone to clogging with sludge. June

Post by **SuperHerman** » 25 Jan 2020, 18:52

Low oil pressure can cause immediate engine failure. One forum member described his experience - sudden and destroyed engine. This is a rare case, but it shows that the condition can be fatal.

I would not play around with this condition. Most times the issue is the oil pan o-rings which no longer seal and as a result cannot maintain proper oil pressure. The o-rings become hard and brittle and do not function - basically the situation is as if no o-ring is there. Like on a water faucet - without the o-ring seal the water goes out the easiest path - here it is the oil.

Dropping the pan to fix them many times reveals sludge and build up which adds to the problem. As the pan is off the clean up, although messy, addresses both problems.

I have not seen, or experienced a failed sensor behaving in the manner you describe.

Jdwyer · Post by **Jdwyer** » 26 Jan 2020, 17:12

Thanks; appreciate the direction.