850 turbo oil light question

[Thomas M. Keller]

Hi all,
I've got a '95 850 turbo wagon, about 165,000 miles on it. I
saw the oil light come on two weeks ago (just flickered on and went
off). I pulled off the road, shut her down and checked the oil, and
it was a little low, but not even below the ADD line.
I saw it come on, briefly and during acceleration, a couple of
times in the last two weeks, so took it in this morning for an oil
change. I told the mechanic about the light, but they didn't find
anything obvious (this is not a Volvo dealer or foreign car place, but
a local mechanic that I've been using for years for general repairs).
Later, as I drove it home, the light came on again, and I know the oil
isn't low.
There is no top-end noise, no lifter noise, and everything
seems fine. There is no engine oil smoke, no drips. It sounds
exactly the same as it always did.
But I'm taught to be extremely afraid anytime an oil light
comes on. Anyone have experience with this issue? Is there some oil
check level that could be gummed up and registering wrong (best-case
scenario) or is it more likely that the light is right, and the
problem is the oil is not being circulated to the level it should be?
Thanks.
South Dakota Tom

 

[M-gineering]

Hi all,
I've got a '95 850 turbo wagon, about 165,000 miles on it. I
saw the oil light come on two weeks ago (just flickered on and went
off). I pulled off the road, shut her down and checked the oil, and
it was a little low, but not even below the ADD line.
I saw it come on, briefly and during acceleration, a couple of
times in the last two weeks, so took it in this morning for an oil
change. I told the mechanic about the light, but they didn't find
anything obvious (this is not a Volvo dealer or foreign car place, but
a local mechanic that I've been using for years for general repairs).
Later, as I drove it home, the light came on again, and I know the oil
isn't low.
There is no top-end noise, no lifter noise, and everything
seems fine. There is no engine oil smoke, no drips. It sounds
exactly the same as it always did.
But I'm taught to be extremely afraid anytime an oil light
comes on. Anyone have experience with this issue? Is there some oil
check level that could be gummed up and registering wrong (best-case
scenario) or is it more likely that the light is right, and the
problem is the oil is not being circulated to the level it should be?
Thanks.
South Dakota Tom

check that the wire leading to the pressureswitch doesn't ground with
engine movemement.

 

[Randy G.]

Change the oil pressure sender. You could rig up a test set up for it
using air pressure and a test light, but the senders aren't that
expensive.. if you are of a mind to, add an oil pressure gauge, and
use a sender that has dual outputs- one for the light and one for the
gauge. I think VDO makes these.

Hi all,
I've got a '95 850 turbo wagon, about 165,000 miles on it. I
saw the oil light come on two weeks ago (just flickered on and went
off). I pulled off the road, shut her down and checked the oil, and
it was a little low, but not even below the ADD line.
I saw it come on, briefly and during acceleration, a couple of
times in the last two weeks, so took it in this morning for an oil
change. I told the mechanic about the light, but they didn't find
anything obvious (this is not a Volvo dealer or foreign car place, but
a local mechanic that I've been using for years for general repairs).
Later, as I drove it home, the light came on again, and I know the oil
isn't low.
There is no top-end noise, no lifter noise, and everything
seems fine. There is no engine oil smoke, no drips. It sounds
exactly the same as it always did.
But I'm taught to be extremely afraid anytime an oil light
comes on. Anyone have experience with this issue? Is there some oil
check level that could be gummed up and registering wrong (best-case
scenario) or is it more likely that the light is right, and the
problem is the oil is not being circulated to the level it should be?
Thanks.
South Dakota Tom

__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

 

[jg]

Hi all,
I've got a '95 850 turbo wagon, about 165,000 miles on it. I
saw the oil light come on two weeks ago (just flickered on and went
off). I pulled off the road, shut her down and checked the oil, and
it was a little low, but not even below the ADD line.

The sensor only measures pressure, not level. If the level drops very low
there will be a pressure loss but that's an indirect measure of how much oil
there is. If the sensing system is OK then too much gap in (mainly) main or
big end bearings is letting oil push through too easily. Other wear, such as
cylinders and rings, don't register as oil pressure loss. The mechanic
should be able to put a gauge on it easily, just make sure it's warm.

 

[jg]

The sensor only measures pressure, not level. If the level drops very low
there will be a pressure loss but that's an indirect measure of how much oil
there is. If the sensing system is OK then too much gap in (mainly) main or
big end bearings is letting oil push through too easily. Other wear, such as
cylinders and rings, don't register as oil pressure loss. The mechanic
should be able to put a gauge on it easily, just make sure it's warm.

Oh, and low pressure could indicate a weak oil pump.

 

[Ron]

There is a problem with the white engines that has been known to cause your
problem.
There are o-rings between the oil pan and the intermidiate section of the
engine and also on the oil sump that can crack or become deformed.
The pan has to come off to replace these o-rings.
The o-rings are available in a kit (8648358).
The oil cooler seals and the oil pan sealing compound are sold separately.
A good way to verify this problem is to test drive the vehicle several
miles, turn off engine and pull the dip stick.
If any bubbles or foaming on the stick is noted, this may be your culprit.

 

[L David Matheny]

Hi all,
I've got a '95 850 turbo wagon, about 165,000 miles on it. I
saw the oil light come on two weeks ago (just flickered on and went
off). I pulled off the road, shut her down and checked the oil, and
it was a little low, but not even below the ADD line.
I saw it come on, briefly and during acceleration, a couple of
times in the last two weeks, so took it in this morning for an oil
change. I told the mechanic about the light, but they didn't find
anything obvious (this is not a Volvo dealer or foreign car place, but
a local mechanic that I've been using for years for general repairs).
Later, as I drove it home, the light came on again, and I know the oil
isn't low.
There is no top-end noise, no lifter noise, and everything
seems fine. There is no engine oil smoke, no drips. It sounds
exactly the same as it always did.
But I'm taught to be extremely afraid anytime an oil light
comes on. Anyone have experience with this issue? Is there some oil
check level that could be gummed up and registering wrong (best-case
scenario) or is it more likely that the light is right, and the
problem is the oil is not being circulated to the level it should be?
Thanks.
South Dakota Tom

Are you sure it's really the oil light? I thought my oil light was
flickering on occasionally a while back during acceleration, but
when it stayed on for a second or so I finally got a good look
at it and then checked the manual. It was the low coolant light.