Low oil pressure questions/solutions

Skvolvo · Post by **Skvolvo** » 01 Mar 2012, 14:24

Hi II'm new to the forum. I own a 2000s70gltse with 125k miles. I am having low oil pressure problems.
Past related problems include a blown turbo and low oil pressure about six months/7,000 miles ago. I repaired it myself with a junkyard turbo and the o ring seal kit, although I had an oil leak afterward because(I think) I used the wrong sealant for the pan. But the turbo and pressure were good.
While highway driving about two weeks ago the low oil pressure light came on again, after ten minutes and nearest off ramp an awful grinding noise started. The noise was a broken turbo shaft banging around. My engine sounds good no ticking and plenty of power. This time I took the car to my local trusty independent Volvo shop and they replaced the turbo and redid the o ring seal kit. Now the light only comes on while driving, not idling. The psi is around ten at idle and increases slightly as rpms go up. I hear this oil pump rarely goes ouand their suggestion is to replace it but they are not guaranteeing a fix by putting a new pump in. Could i have starved the pump because of my leak and negligence to check oil level in a timely manner? This is my everyday driver,only car, and I like it a lot, but I'm nearing the end of throwing money at this problem. Any suggestions or similar stories would really help me decide which direction to go- either sell it and lose my butt or replace the pump and hope it fixes my issue. Please excuse bad grammar and spelling lol. Thanks much

Post by **EstVolvo** » 01 Mar 2012, 14:43

Have you checked oil sump pump oil ring - gasket(s)?
They get twisted.

Skvolvo · Post by **Skvolvo** » 01 Mar 2012, 14:46

I will check. I'm pretty sure they did though

Post by **EstVolvo** » 01 Mar 2012, 14:52

It is a hell to check it - you will have to remove the oil pan.
ecbsykes has great writeup:
DIY: Oil Pan/Sump O-Ring Replacement 2000 XC

Skvolvo · Post by **Skvolvo** » 01 Mar 2012, 15:44

Done already, that's what I was referring to in original post actually...

D_V_ENT850R · Post by **D_V_ENT850R** » 01 Mar 2012, 15:55

I'd say check the pickup oring and if it's ok then replace the pump..

Gubernaculum · Post by **Gubernaculum** » 01 Mar 2012, 16:01

Did you do the pan yourself? If so, what was your trick to getting it down? (I just got done doing the pan on my 2000 s70 glt se and it was a b*tch and a half to drop that thing).

My low oil pressure problem was caused by excess (factory original) anaerobic sealer that had fallen into the sump over the years and gotten stuck in the oil pump pickup screen. If you did not remove and look at your pickup, that could be your problem. If you drop your pan again, maybe go light on the sealer.

I forget the specs, but I think oil pressure is supposed to be 10 or 15 psi or so at idle and up to 40psi when revved, and the oil pressure indicator lights up at 7psi . If your oil pressure is within the specs in the manual but you have a light on, you may just have a bad oil pressure sensor, which is $3 at idp.

Skvolvo · Post by **Skvolvo** » 01 Mar 2012, 17:17

Loosen/ take off sub frame bolts, lift engine a bit and a pry bar-Not fun, I did it the first time but the same thing happened again so it's at a shop now. Yea the sensor is good I'm pretty sure. The psi is ten at idle but it stays at ten when revved/under pressure

Skvolvo · Post by **Skvolvo** » 01 Mar 2012, 20:45

By o ring seal kit I mean dropping the oil Pan and repalcing all orings and gaskets as well as cleaning pickup screen. Thanks for all the input going to replace oil pump I think will update with results. Btw I'm no mechanic, obviously, and like to hear any and all suggestions and similar situations. Would PVC system help as well?

Skvolvo · Post by **Skvolvo** » 07 Mar 2012, 08:19

Replaced the oil pump this weekend but still have the same problem, I don't know what else to do or where to look now. Oil pump was a long shot but it was the next logical step I believe. Any suggestions? Very discouraged havnt heard of anything like this, i feel like a guinea pig.