Intermittent Low Oil Pressure

[jonnyf90]

Drained the oil today, (only 2 litres came out!). Dipstick was over reading for some reason :\
Refilled with Mobil Super 2000 10W40. Problem has gone away and pressure not dropping below 1.75 bar. No more idiot light either!

Thanks to all your suggestions.

Cheers
Jonny

[nordmaschine]

Originally Posted by nordmaschine

You're most likely very low on oil.

So...

[baggy798]

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]

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

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?

[TonyS9]

How was the dipstick reading anything with 2L of oil?

[mjk164]

Are you sure the dipstick is the one designed for the engine? It sounds as if it could be a replacement for some reason and I suggest you get the proper length and marks dimensions from someone with a similar engine and get this sorted out.

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by TonyS9

How was the dipstick reading anything with 2L of oil?

No idea, maybe residue in the dipstick channel?
Reading full now that I've changed the oil.

Mjk164 - definitely the correct one. Red with "motor" written on the loop.

[TonyS9]

Assuming you are wiping the dipstick first, it may be worth taking the dipstip tube out and cleaning it and/or checking the sump for sludge.

If you are not using a fully synthetic you need to change it more often as it will breakdown more quickly with the turbo heat, although I'm not sure if that means it gets thinner or heavy sediment seperates out.

[baggy798]

Originally Posted by jonnyf90

Also, you heading to Ace tomorrow evening Baggy?

That's a bit too far for me.

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by TonyS9

Assuming you are wiping the dipstick first, it may be worth taking the dipstip tube out and cleaning it and/or checking the sump for sludge.

If you are not using a fully synthetic you need to change it more often as it will breakdown more quickly with the turbo heat, although I'm not sure if that means it gets thinner or heavy sediment seperates out.

Yeah, always wipe before reading
May drop the sump next month and check for sludge. No, I currently use semi synthetic, and change it every 5-6k miles. I may start changing it every 4k as I am now doing a lot of motorway commuting.

Cheers
Jonny