Intermittent Low Oil Pressure

jonnyf90 · Nov 18th, 2015, 12:34

Hi guys, don't know whether anyone can help me with my minor problem!

I've got a 96 940 LPT and I have recently noticed the oil pressure light coming on when pulling away from lights etc. for a few seconds, or when turning left sharply.
I understand the idiot light sensor is in the right side of the block.
I've checked the oil level and it is well above minimum.

I also have a prosport oil pressure gauge fitted via a sandwich plate between the engine and oil filter.
Whenever the dash idiot light illuminates, the gauge is reading 0 or close to it, so I can rule out a faulty block sensor.
After a second or two, the pressure rises to where it should be (2 - 4 bar).
When "giving it the beans", it acts like it should, rising sharply and staying well above 3 bar. MBC is currently set to 13psi.

At motorway cruising speeds, it is a healthy 3 bar at 70mph and 2300rpm.
When the engine is cold, it never drops below 2 bar and no idiot light.
Any ideas why the oil pressure would be dropping intermittently? Something to do with the sandwich plate?

Cheers
Jonny

nordmaschine · Nov 18th, 2015, 15:38

You're most likely very low on oil.

jonnyf90 · Nov 18th, 2015, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordmaschine

You're most likely very low on oil.

As said above, the dipstick is showing well above minimum.

Pete940 · Nov 18th, 2015, 18:44

I'm not so sure that you can rule out the block sensor...

jonnyf90 · Nov 18th, 2015, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete940

I'm not so sure that you can rule out the block sensor...

Why's that Pete?
If my gauge is reading nearly 0 taking its reading from another part of the engine, I can be sure that the block sensor is working correctly?

Pete940 · Nov 18th, 2015, 19:23

Oh sorry I see now, I wasn't reading your post correctly.

TonyS9 · Nov 18th, 2015, 19:27

Sounds like you are saying the oil pressure is actually low intermittently. Its rare so I think you will need a strip down and drop the sump to start with.

I saw a blocked pump once, but not so much on cornering. Was caused by sludge build up from previous owner, which I tried to clean and blocked the pump in the process. Avoid sludgy/crusty engines (inside the oil filler on the cam bearing caps etc).

nordmaschine · Nov 22nd, 2015, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordmaschine

You're most likely very low on oil.

So...

baggy798 · Nov 22nd, 2015, 21:53

The oil pressure light flickered on a few times when I was doing some 0-60 and 100 mph runs. The dipstick wasn't over reading, I just hadn't checked it in a while... -_-

It required nearly a litre to get it to the minimum mark, so only running around on about 2 litres like you.

Good job they are built tough!

jonnyf90 · Nov 22nd, 2015, 22:09

nordmaschine - Yeah, the dipstick to all intents and purposes showed that there was enough!

Quote:

Originally Posted by baggy798

The dipstick wasn't over reading, I just hadn't checked it in a while... -_-

It required nearly a litre to get it to the minimum mark, so only running around on about 2 litres like you.

Good job they are built tough!

Yeah for sure, good Volvos! My mum is on her 2nd Ford Ka after not checking the oil for 9 months in her first one...

Also, you heading to Ace tomorrow evening Baggy?

Nov 18th, 2015, 12:34	#1
jonnyf90 Grumpy git born too late! Last Online: Mar 20th, 2024 01:04 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Between Derby & Nottingham	Intermittent Low Oil Pressure Hi guys, don't know whether anyone can help me with my minor problem! I've got a 96 940 LPT and I have recently noticed the oil pressure light coming on when pulling away from lights etc. for a few seconds, or when turning left sharply. I understand the idiot light sensor is in the right side of the block. I've checked the oil level and it is well above minimum. I also have a prosport oil pressure gauge fitted via a sandwich plate between the engine and oil filter. Whenever the dash idiot light illuminates, the gauge is reading 0 or close to it, so I can rule out a faulty block sensor. After a second or two, the pressure rises to where it should be (2 - 4 bar). When "giving it the beans", it acts like it should, rising sharply and staying well above 3 bar. MBC is currently set to 13psi. At motorway cruising speeds, it is a healthy 3 bar at 70mph and 2300rpm. When the engine is cold, it never drops below 2 bar and no idiot light. Any ideas why the oil pressure would be dropping intermittently? Something to do with the sandwich plate? Cheers Jonny __________________ 1997 965 2.5 SE Manual 1996 944 Classic 2.3 LPT - SOLD/BROKEN/SCRAPPED 1997 S90 3.0 - SOLD to doingitsideways 2021 Škoda Octavia Estate L iV PHEV (Company)

Nov 22nd, 2015, 21:53	#9
baggy798 🤍💙💗 Last Online: Today 02:44 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lichfield	The oil pressure light flickered on a few times when I was doing some 0-60 and 100 mph runs. The dipstick wasn't over reading, I just hadn't checked it in a while... -_- It required nearly a litre to get it to the minimum mark, so only running around on about 2 litres like you. Good job they are built tough! __________________ MY97 940 CD LPT Super Sports Edition 2 Turbo, Midnight Purple, 176,000 miles. Problems with classicswede, Yet more issues with Classicswede, ClassicSwede PROBLEM, Classic Swede

Nov 18th, 2015, 15:38	#2
nordmaschine Member Last Online: Jun 5th, 2024 09:26 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Banjaluka	You're most likely very low on oil.

Nov 18th, 2015, 18:44	#4
Pete940 Ideal Volvo Last Online: Jun 25th, 2024 09:16 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Haydock	I'm not so sure that you can rule out the block sensor...

Nov 18th, 2015, 19:23	#6
Pete940 Ideal Volvo Last Online: Jun 25th, 2024 09:16 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Haydock	Oh sorry I see now, I wasn't reading your post correctly.

Nov 18th, 2015, 19:27	#7
TonyS9 Premier Member Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2024 01:13 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Holywood	Sounds like you are saying the oil pressure is actually low intermittently. Its rare so I think you will need a strip down and drop the sump to start with. I saw a blocked pump once, but not so much on cornering. Was caused by sludge build up from previous owner, which I tried to clean and blocked the pump in the process. Avoid sludgy/crusty engines (inside the oil filler on the cam bearing caps etc).

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