Intermittent Low Oil Pressure

[jonnyf90]

Looks like I'll be changing the oil pump to start with then?
Anybody know how much this'll cost roughly?

Cheers
Jonny

[nordmaschine]

Too much, I'm afraid...but it might be just o-ring, which can be bought separately, probably under a quid. Then there's the pan gasket and couple of hours wrenching.

[jonnyf90]

Sit Rep.
Been out today around Southampton and only seen the light once, when making rapid acceleration at a roundabout. Seems to be better today. No idea why.
Intermittent problems are the worst!

[GreenBrick]

The light is a crude warning, you need to be sure the pressure is good enough, not to do damage, when the light is off.

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by GreenBrick

The light is a crude warning, you need to be sure the pressure is good enough, not to do damage, when the light is off.

Yeah, when the light is off, the pressure gauge reads ~1.75 bar at hot idle, anywhere up to 4.5 bar for ~3k rpm when cold.
It just has a momentary dip when pulling away where the needle drops all the way down to 0.

[nordmaschine]

1.75 bar at hot idle is very good, I suspect your oil pump is fine, perhaps it is the oring...

[Dirty Rooster]

Johnny I know you say the oil level is well above minimum,
and this is just a vague experience thing,
but some of my old cars were happiest with a fairly low oil level,
and some (current one) is happiest when I keep the oil level right on the dipstick maximum = try topping it up despite it not needing it.
I also presume you're on at least a reputable 10w40 semi-synth.

[Pete940]

I found some threads via Google that point towards the o-ring for similar problems on B230's.

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by Dirty Rooster

Johnny I know you say the oil level is well above minimum,
and this is just a vague experience thing,
but some of my old cars were happiest with a fairly low oil level,
and some (current one) is happiest when I keep the oil level right on the dipstick maximum = try topping it up despite it not needing it.
I also presume you're on at least a reputable 10w40 semi-synth.

I topped up the oil this afternoon, so it's now just below maximum and went for a drive to Winchester and back. Still at 1.75 bar hot idle, peaking at 4 bar at 4.5k rpm. Still dropping to 0 for a second or two on rapid pull-aways.
Better than when I originally posted this thread though, so that's some comfort!

Where is this o-ring that has been mentioned? Around the top of the sump?

I will be changing the oil and filter at the end of the month after payday. (After sodding about moving the oil cooler hose gumf, repositioned to accommodate the sandwich plate adapter - see:http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=238245)

I currently use Mobil Super 2000 10w40. Thinking about something thinner for the winter months, or does it make no difference in the UK?

Cheers
Jonny

[nordmaschine]