Volvo Community Forum. The Forums of the Volvo Owners Club

Forum Rules Volvo Owners Club About VOC Volvo Gallery Links Volvo History Volvo Press
Go Back   Volvo Owners Club Forum > "Technical Topics" > 700/900 Series General

Notices

700/900 Series General Forum for the Volvo 740, 760, 780, 940, 960 & S/V90 cars

Information
  • VOC Members: There is no login facility using your VOC membership number or the details from page 3 of the club magazine. You need to register in the normal way
  • AOL Customers: Make sure you check the 'Remember me' check box otherwise the AOL system may log you out during the session. This is a known issue with AOL.
  • AOL, Yahoo and Plus.net users. Forum owners such as us are finding that AOL, Yahoo and Plus.net are blocking a lot of email generated from forums. This may mean your registration activation and other emails will not get to you, or they may appear in your spam mailbox

Thread Informations

Should I be worried?

Views : 1798

Replies : 30

Users Viewing This Thread :  

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old Jul 4th, 2018, 22:48   #1
capt jack
VOC Member
 

Last Online: Yesterday 22:29
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
Default Should I be worried?

I've done around 4,000 miles in my "new" S90 now, and it really does feel as though it's here to stay....but one thing is starting to niggle me a bit.

If the engine has been stood for more than a couple of hours, on starting up the oil light is the last one to go out - perhaps one second after all the others. At the same time there's a definite light rattle from the top of the engine which as with the light, lasts for no more than a second.

Start the engine within an hour of the last switch-off and the oil light goes off immediately.

I've only noticed this phenomenon within the past few weeks, although it is perfectly possible that it's been like it all along but that I've just never noticed.

The car has done 92,000 miles and has a full Volvo service history. The oil and filter was last changed about ten days ago, before that at about 84,000 miles.

The engines ticks over smoothly and quietly, and in the time I've had the car, there's been no drop in the oil level - it's stayed comfortably close to the upper mark on the dipstick.

I'm aware that the car has hydraulic tappets, and the hand book does say to expect a little rattle from the top of the engine at first start-up, that could last for up to 15 minutes! It also says that it would be normal for the oil light to come on whilst the engine is idling after what's described as "hard driving". I don't thrash the car, and it rarely gets to exceed 3500rpm as there is absolutely no need. It's a hugely powerful engine and easily keeps pace with the traffic without ever having to try hard. The oil light has never come on whilst the engine is running. The toughest drive it's had in my ownership was a straight drive from Guildford to Yorkshire, 5 hours without a break, including a considerable period sat idling on the M25 car park, and all on one of the hottest days of the year.

I guess that a laggardly light could be as simple as a tired pressure switch, it could all be normal for this engine, or it could be that there's a problem brewing.

So, should I be concerned? Or am I worrying without good reason?

Thanks in advance

Jack

Perhaps I should add, it's the 2.9 litre 6-cylinder 24v 204bhp engine, with an automatic gearbox.

Last edited by capt jack; Jul 4th, 2018 at 22:58.
capt jack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Jul 5th, 2018, 00:57   #2
ThePurplePanther
Member at Large
 
ThePurplePanther's Avatar
 

Last Online: Sep 8th, 2019 12:46
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Southampton
Default

What grade oil was put in at the last service?

Other thing i can suggest is plumb in an oil pressure gauge - possibly at the oil light sensor port - to see what is actually going on. They aren't that expensive, esp compared to a new engine...

Based on what you've said I would hazard a guess at a lazy pressure sensor, that or thin oil taking a little longer to get upto pressure.

One other thing to ask, what is your startup procedure? Do you wait for all the timed warning lights to go out or just turn the key? When you startup the car does it's bulb check by firing all the warning lights for a set period of time to test the bulbs, while the alternator and oil pressure light are related to a lack of signal - I believe - which is why they don't time out if you sit there with the ignition on. Try waiting for all the other warning lights to go out prior to turning the key and see how quickly it goes out.

My 2c

PP
ThePurplePanther is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ThePurplePanther For This Useful Post:
Old Jul 5th, 2018, 01:08   #3
capt jack
VOC Member
 

Last Online: Yesterday 22:29
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
Default

Thanks. Good point about waiting for all the timed lights. I'll have a look at that in the morning. I usually just turn the key straightaway.

10w40 semi-synth oil is in there.

I am tempted to plumb in a pressure gauge - as you say, that's a lot less than a new engine!

And I have to bear in mind that the car is over 20 years old, so a slightly lazy oil light is only a minor issue if everything is otherwise OK!

I'll try the revised start-up routine tomorrow!

Cheers

Jack
capt jack is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to capt jack For This Useful Post:
Old Jul 5th, 2018, 01:14   #4
ThePurplePanther
Member at Large
 
ThePurplePanther's Avatar
 

Last Online: Sep 8th, 2019 12:46
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Southampton
Default

No worries

If you want I can time how long mine takes to go off tomorrow so you can compare. I have a 940 and a 960 atm (much to my mrs annoyance... ) so can compare to a similar engine (2.5 960) and something different (2.3 bf redblock). While older, the redblock has solid lifters so no ticking at startup, two steps forward and all...

PP
ThePurplePanther is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ThePurplePanther For This Useful Post:
Old Jul 5th, 2018, 01:31   #5
capt jack
VOC Member
 

Last Online: Yesterday 22:29
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
Default

Thanks PP.

If you wouldn't mind watching your 960 at start-up that'd be great. We also have an S70, which of course has the 5-cyl person of essentially the same engine, but crucially is a 10v, not the 24v as in the S90.

The lights on that go out instantly - even at 200,000 miles up now.

I used to have an early V70 - and that even at 300,000 miles up I'm sure didn't exhibit this, but again, it was the 10v engine.

I've been trying to figure out where the pressure sensor is located on the block. From what I can see on the web, it's buried deep down at the base of the dipstick tube. Reasonably accessible on the transverse-engined cars, but not exactly easy to get to on the RWD models I'd reckon.

Cheers

Jack
capt jack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Jul 5th, 2018, 01:38   #6
AllHailKingVolvo
Ye olde Volvii galore!
 

Last Online: Dec 18th, 2023 12:23
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Sherborne
Default

I had this issue on my last 740 Estate. Different engine of course, but the same issue.

I changed the oil and fitted a Mann oil filter with the anti-spillback valve as per Volvo spec, and the problem was cured straight away. The oil light went out within half a second of starting, whether hot or cold.

This was somewhere around 200,000 miles-the Speedo had stopped working long before I bought the car at 170,000, and I easily did another 40,000 Miles in it. It now belongs to my mother in law who is tanking around in it happily and racking up plenty more miles with zero oil pressure probs, always using the Mann filters at every change.
__________________
Barges of Distinction:
'96 945 SE LPT M90
'95 945 GLE D24TIC M90
‘88 745 GL B200E M47
AllHailKingVolvo is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to AllHailKingVolvo For This Useful Post:
Old Jul 5th, 2018, 01:50   #7
ThePurplePanther
Member at Large
 
ThePurplePanther's Avatar
 

Last Online: Sep 8th, 2019 12:46
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Southampton
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AllHailKingVolvo View Post
I had this issue on my last 740 Estate. Different engine of course, but the same issue.

I changed the oil and fitted a Mann oil filter with the anti-spillback valve as per Volvo spec, and the problem was cured straight away. The oil light went out within half a second of starting, whether hot or cold.

This was somewhere around 200,000 miles-the Speedo had stopped working long before I bought the car at 170,000, and I easily did another 40,000 Miles in it. It now belongs to my mother in law who is tanking around in it happily and racking up plenty more miles with zero oil pressure probs, always using the Mann filters at every change.
Very good point... all hail the king!
ThePurplePanther is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ThePurplePanther For This Useful Post:
Old Jul 5th, 2018, 13:50   #8
GreenBrick
SilverBrick Lives!
 
GreenBrick's Avatar
 

Last Online: Feb 19th, 2024 22:04
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Poynton, Cheshire
Default

Also don't forget the oil is thinner as everything is hotter in this atypical summer we are having.
__________________
Jeep ZJ, 960, Past:- Mazda2, Jumbuck, V70 (2002), 945 (1995), Hyundai Coupe, Golf Mk4, Previa, Carina, 2 x Corsa, 4 x Astra, 944 16v (1991), Espace, Escort, Audi 80, Renault 21 Savanna, Polo, Mini Clubman/Pickup, Standard 8, Capri, Maxi.
GreenBrick is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to GreenBrick For This Useful Post:
Old Jul 5th, 2018, 23:53   #9
Laird Scooby
Premier Member
 
Laird Scooby's Avatar
 

Last Online: Yesterday 21:57
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lakenheath
Default

I think i'd grab the bull by the horns and change the oil pressure switch for anew one Jack, just to eliminate it as a possible cause.

It could be something like the oil pressure relief valve spring is a bit weak with age so is a bit eager to open the relief valve or possibly there's a small bit of grit/dirt in there and it's causing a slight bypass effect on the relief valve so that oil pressure is slightly slow to build.

If the "timed lights" theory doesn't show up as being the culprit, i'd give another switch a try first, followed by a good engine flush at the next oil and filter change, meanwhile add about 0.5L of synthetic ATF to the engine oil to help clean things through and will also give your hydraulic tappets a bit of a boost.
__________________
Cheers
Dave

Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........
Laird Scooby is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Laird Scooby For This Useful Post:
Old Jul 21st, 2018, 22:30   #10
GreenBrick
SilverBrick Lives!
 
GreenBrick's Avatar
 

Last Online: Feb 19th, 2024 22:04
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Poynton, Cheshire
Default

A friends escort used to go tappety out of the blue and it turned out to be the oil pressure relief valve getting stuck open, luckily it was on the outside and could be cleaned without any sump removal shenanigans.
__________________
Jeep ZJ, 960, Past:- Mazda2, Jumbuck, V70 (2002), 945 (1995), Hyundai Coupe, Golf Mk4, Previa, Carina, 2 x Corsa, 4 x Astra, 944 16v (1991), Espace, Escort, Audi 80, Renault 21 Savanna, Polo, Mini Clubman/Pickup, Standard 8, Capri, Maxi.
GreenBrick is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to GreenBrick For This Useful Post:
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:33.


Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.