when i get my 240 up to about 75 mph at around 3000 rpms the oil light flickers and when you really get into it at about 3500 rpms the oil light goes solid, when i park it and open the hood i could smell oil so i washed the block, by the exhaust i can see some oil but nothing major and i can see smoke once in a while coming from behind the manifold. i talked to a few people and they say its ethier the head gasket or the oil pump.

 

Miles? I bet it's a lot... 250+K? Well, you do need a head gasket, the leak you mention is typical. The oil pressure is also low, and yes, oil pump may be the culprit if you are lucky, or the rings, or bearings may be just worn out. You may be better off with a new, or used, engine replacement...

 

Hmm, i find it odd that this is happening above 3500 rpms, when typically the light flickers below such RPM's. You might have a bad oil pressure sensor.

 

You'll need an oil pressure gauge to really know whats going on.

 

the car has 143000? 2 owners..old rich people

 

What year 240? If it has a B230 engine, the leak could be as simple as a leaking/missing rear cam plug. As for the oil light problem...yes, hooking up a test gauge is probably a good idea. But I've had oil senders fail in similar fashion...they're cheap and fairly easy to replace. And it might seem trivial...but what oil/filter do you have in there?

 

i have no idea just some stuff i picked up a few weeks ago from carquest the guy wasnt very proud of my car..he thinks ive been putting to much time and money into it

 

Ignore the Carquest guy...its not unusual for the general automotive population to express negativity towards old Volvos. Besides, the average, modern-day parts store employee is trained to render useless advice for maintaining late-model, disposable cars. But I digress...

If your oil light problem is persistent, you've gotta get a gauge on it A.S.A.P.. Yes, you could just throw an oil pressure sensor at it to see if it changes anything...but a gauge will tell the full story. As far as the oil & filter goes...get yourself some Valvoline MaxLife 10W30 motor oil and a Mann oil filter. The MaxLife motor oil contains seal conditioners which can help stop minor leaks and the Mann oil filter is designed to flow to factory specs. I say this because I've seen cheap, aftermarket oil filters do funny things to the oil light.

And, btw, you still haven't mentioned the year of the car.

 

I agree with purchasing a Mann filter, they're just way better. A crappy oil filter can cause those problems.

Also there is an oring that goes between the oil pump and the block, its none to slip out of place and leak. It will lower the pressure of the oil at higher RPM's its a cheap fix though time consuming. But first and foremost get a guage on there or purchase a new sending unit, if you know which one you have I think i have a couple 5 bar units laying around.

 

...case in point.

 

its an 86 i just put new headlights and a coil pack in today fun fun

 

Just got back from the local Carquest today,thought I would post a pic of my new exhaust.

Dan

 

OK, then you probably have a B230F...check the round black plug in back of the head, directly behind the camshaft. They're vulnurable to leakage and/or coming off completely if your PCV system isn't breathing freely enough...a potential cause of the oil leak you described earlier.

 

yea its a b230f how do i get to that plug?

 

Best to do this while the engine is cold...reach your hand behind the cylinder head, near the fire wall. The round, black plug is located directly behind the camshaft.