No oil pressure - clogged pickup screen?

beewstew · Post by **beewstew** » 11 Mar 2025, 18:59

Background: head gasket repair in November, had to stop work on car because of cold weather, got car up and running again today.

With fresh coolant and oil, the car drove reasonably well today, but on a hill at about 4000RPM, the oil light came on w/ message "no oil pressure, stop driving" Stopped, checked oil, it seemed clean and at appropriate level. Started up the car, no light was present, and 10 minutes later (on the way back home!) saw the same light w/ same condition.

The oil light only came on at higher rpm. 130k miles on the engine. I cleaned out the oil trap (last week, soap and warm water) while I had the car apart. Many chunks of crud fell out of the oil trap while I was cleaning it.

Could it be that the oil pickup screen is clogged? If so, the fix is to drop the oil pan and clean the screen? Are there any o-rings or filters needed for that? I know I'll need that red anaerobic sealant - I think I still have most of a tube from the head gasket.

Or, could it be that residual crap clogged the oil filter? Would running fresh oil for 50 miles w/ 5oz of seafoam in the oil help with dissolving the accumulated crud in the oil?

No, I didn't blow out the turbo oil lines or replace the oil pump when everything was apart. Sigh...

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 11 Mar 2025, 19:58

Sorry. It sounds like a nightmare. Usually it is hard to maintain oil pressure on low speeds, with higher rpms pressure should be good. I would try first to verify actual oil pressure with mechanical gage. Inspect connection for oil pressure sensor. It is unlikely, but possible that sensor itself is defective(but if before the repair it was ok and now not, I would question such). Another cheap "parts cannon" is to replace oil filter and inspect the condition of the old one. It is quick and cheap. I am not sure if by draining oil you can gain access with borescope through the drain hole and inspect the condition of pickup tube screen, but would try that before messing with droping the oil pan. So I would try "cannon" :new filter, new(used) oem oil pressure switch, inspect wiring at the oil pressure sensor. Then check oil pressure with mechanical gage, try borescope trick..if all fails..try BG or Liqui moly engine oil flush and pray it helps. If not, then with a choice of words proceed to remove oil pan and inspect pickup tube . You can contact FCP or ipd and they might give you better tips on part numbers needed(they all make mistake, but FCP always made it right for me)

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 12 Mar 2025, 00:24

If the oil pickup screen is clogged you have bigger issues. Usually happens when someone puts so much RTV it oozes out inside the oil pan and into the pickup.

The oil filter and sensor route should be your first priority. But if you change the oil filter with each oil change, and each oil change is done regularly, I don't particularly see how the filter will be clogged.

Post by **Krons** » 13 Mar 2025, 15:25

Another vote to change oil and inspect the filter first.

If you drop the pan you’ll want to put new orings on the pickup tube, they get crusty and hard over time and can suck air—causing low oil pressure.

beewstew · Post by **beewstew** » 13 Mar 2025, 16:00

Update. Changed oil and filter 2 days ago, added 5oz sea foam in with the oil. Oil pressure warning came on again 2x today (after about 40 miles driving). I guess pulling the oil pan is next.

@Krons Thanks! Is the o-ring you're referring to part #37 in the attached diagram?

From https://www.volvopartswebstore.com/show ... Line=11324

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 13 Mar 2025, 19:39

I think #37 makes sense. I would also vote for #40, #30, #24. Where you able to do autopsy on the original oil filter? Any metal shavings?

Post by **abscate** » 14 Mar 2025, 04:28

#14 and#15. Those two orings have to seal to deliver oil up to the head

Post by **Krons** » 15 Mar 2025, 04:40

beewstew wrote: ↑13 Mar 2025, 16:00 Update. Changed oil and filter 2 days ago, added 5oz sea foam in with the oil. Oil pressure warning came on again 2x today (after about 40 miles driving). I guess pulling the oil pan is next.

@Krons Thanks! Is the o-ring you're referring to part #37 in the attached diagram?

From https://www.volvopartswebstore.com/show ... Line=11324

How did the filter look? Debris?

When I did my 2002 S60 2.4t I just order a kit on FCPeuro like this one:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... -reinz-kit

You will need the anaerobic sealant plus since you’re pulling the oil cooler off the back of the pan you’re gonna need those o-rings too. Once you get in there, it’s pretty self-explanatory when you pull the oil pick up down what O-rings will need replaced. Since you just changed oil, you can drain it into a clean pan and reuse it best to keep the car on ramps overnight so all the oil isn’t dripping your in your face

Search YouTube and you should find some videos on the job.

Post by **DavidE7** » 25 Mar 2025, 22:29

When I pulled the oil pan on my 2007 S60 with over 250,000 miles, I was surprised to find o-ring #14 wasn't installed correctly at the factory:

I had the same problem with low oil pressure on a particularly cold day. No more problem with the o-ring replaced.

Post by **DavidE7** » 25 Mar 2025, 22:32

It is also a good time to clean the oil pan and PCV drain passage if you are cleaning the oil pickup and replacing the o-rings. This is the seal kit: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... -reinz-kit

After ultrasonic cleaning: