The other day I'm driving the short distance from work and the oil light comes on and I notice immediately that the car starts acting like it's bone dry. I make it home and sure enough it is. I have suspected that there was a slow leak, but due to family stress I haven't checked the level in a while. I went ahead and dropped in 2 quarts and it checked full.

The next morning I had a really important meeting 20 miles away, so I checked the oil and it was still showing full. (I did not know it was supposed to hold more oil than 2 quarts). In the middle of my freeway trip I see the oil light popping on and off and it's making the bone dry sound, but only intermittenly. It sounds normal - then bad, and the dip stick is still showing the exact same full level.

I take it to my mechanic (who normally only does Japanese cars) and he changes my oil which was just shy of when I was scheduled to do it anyway. He did change the filter which has a history of being gummed up.

On the way home - same thing! He said if that happened he would refer me to a volvo guy he knows because he thinks it could be the oil pump.

Is there anything cheap I can try to rectify this? Does it sound like an oil pump?

I appreciate any insight you can give me on this.
Thanks in advanvce.

 

The engine sounds like it might be sludged up.

 

it's interesting that you say that because this car has cost us thousands in engine sludge removal. can you tell us what causes it? how to clean it up? is there anything i can do myself to take care of it?

 

Since having it done how often do you change the oil?

Did they replace the pick up tube?

 

Have your mechanic check the oil pressure. It could be the oil pump. Could be a problem with the pickup tube. Could be a combo of things, but probably not enough oil (per your recent fillings).

I encourage you to do it ASAP.