850 Oil lamp, no hot air and oil level ok. Death knell?

[Wagonizer]

Hi All,

I was driving yesterday and noticed the oil light coming on at low RPMs. I smelled oil and pulled over to check the level which was fine. I drove a few miles more and the light started coming on at higher RPMs. There was an light burning oil smell. I noticed smoke and a sizzling sound coming out the crankcase when I removed the filler cap. (BTW, I re-did the PCV system when I got the car 40K mi ago). Also very interestingly, the temperature gauge was normal but there was no warm air coming out the defrost/heat even if I cranked the thermostat. I called AAA and had the car towed to the amazing and very trustworthy mechanic I use. He hasn't had a chance to look at it yet. I'm thinking the problem is a dying oil pump or restricted oil flow. He mentioned something about a potential bad crank seal when I talked to him. My car has almost 375,000 miles on it. I can't help but think there's some relation to the lack of hot air in the heater but I can't come up with any explanation. Does any one have any ideas or could it be just a random coincidence? I hope this isn't the end of my favorite car ever. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance,

B

[Ozark Lee]

I think you have more than one thing going on.

Are your lifters making a bunch of noise even after startup? If so that would indicate an oil pressure problem but it may be as simple as new O rings in the sump. If you have no significant lifter noise then it may just be a bad oil pressure sensor.

As to the heater, it sounds like the heater core may be clogged.

...Lee

[Wagonizer]

HI,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions Lee. My mechanic was very funny, said the oil flow was fine- I saw it flowing great looking in the filler cap hole and he suggested I had sub-par recycled bulk oil from my last change, that oil was probably leaking around worn cam seals and to use new bottled oil and a Lucas supplement which I did only to find the oil light lighting up when the car was warm again. Finally I checked the coolant level and it was LOW! I added water to find that I had a leak in the bottom (left hose) it looks like the end of my clutch lever somehow worked a hole in the hose. So I'll try a new hose tomorrow and I assume all should be well. If Its not I'll post. I feel like a boob having overlooked something so simple in troubleshooting the problem but it does certainly explain why there was no heat in the car- there was probably little or no coolant. Luckily I didn't drive the car very much under this condition so hopefully I can still reach 400K.

All the best,

B

[Gubernaculum]

Not sure how coolant level could set off your oil pressure light if that's what you're getting at.

My oil pressure light got set off by a bunch of volvo liquid gasket crap that had hardened and gotten sucked into the oil pickup, obstructing it.

In your case I would want to hook up a oil pressure gauge to see exactly what pressure you are getting. You need both pressure and flow - not sure how a mechanic expects to really assess one of your most critical engine components - the lubrication system - by looking through the oil filler hole. With 350k miles it's a possibility that the engine is just getting worn out and can't hold the oil pressure up, in which case a thicker oil might buy you some more time before a replacement car or engine.

[Wagonizer]

Hi All,

I was right. I replaced the hose and all is well. No lights. The engine probably got a little too hot and the oil was viscous enough to work its way around things (even with the lucas treatment and heavier oil) to lower the pressure set off the light. Also, the heater is working again. There was probably little or no coolant in the core. My mechanic or I should have noticed the empty coolant reservoir or lack of heat as a dead giveaway for low coolant. 400,000 miles here I come. At this point I really wouldn't trust my dash temp. gauge or i'd consider any reading a little more then half as in the danger zone. I'd imagine by the time I'd go into the red on that gauge my motor would be history. With so many miles on the car I think it might be a great idea for me to put in an oil pressure and temp gauge.Any suggestions?



Best,

B