Volvo gurus: This is as bad as it gets. We have a 2000 V70XC with 70k miles. Three mechanics have confirmed that we have low oil pressure. The car has normal oil pressure when cold, but when warmed up and running at 2000rpm plus, the oil pressure drops. The oil pressure light comes on when the engine is warm or at more than 2000RPM when not warm. Two separate dealerships believe there is some kind of clog inside the engine, perhaps at the engine ports, the rings, the oil journals or somewhere else inside the engine. We have already dropped the pan, cleaned it and the scrubber and replaced some o0ring seals, and this did not fix the problem. (Our maintenance has been excellent but we bought the car with 51k.) Neither dealership recommends taking the engine apart and cleaning it because that's costly and may not fix the problem. Both recommend a new engine (at 8,000-9,000!!!). I asked about whether we could have a problem with the oil pump and was told that if it were the oil pump, it would have low pressure when cold, not when running warm and at higher rpms. They also said the oil pumps don't go (which begs the question, but the engines do?) We don't have a warranty so, please:
1. Do you agree with the diagnosis, that we've got a clog in the engine that's causing the problem? Any idea where the clog could be? Is there a cheaper way to fix this issue?
2. Any other diagnosis? Are you aware of anything else that is a common problem with this particular car that could be causing the problem instead? Should we just go ahead and replace the pump (a 260 part) or is that a waste of money?
3. Is Volvo having oil pressure problems with the 2000 V70XC? This would be helpful to know in trying to get Volvo to take care of the problem.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Raises several questions, including:- Did the car come with a full & confirmable service history? Is the mileage shown genuine? Is the oil grade used too thin? Did you replace all of the O rings when you dropped the pan? Could one of the O rings have slipped off while you were replacing the pan?

Have you tried flushing the engine to remove as much gunge as possible from the internals you couldn't get to when you dropped the pan?

It's worth spending the money trying to flush the engine a couple of times, before deciding to fit another engine $$$.

Hope the solution is simple & affordable!

BB
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Are the mechanics telling this Volvo mechanics? That just does not sound right to me. If you do need a new engine, you can find one for less that $8,000 I'm sure. Can't wait to hear what tech has to say on this one.

 

Have they all given you a pressure reading or not?

 

Don't understand your question? The diagnosis has come from 2 dealerships. What do you mean by Volvo tech?

 

Yes, 3 different mechanics, including my regular, local, non-dealership guy. Okay at idle, but low when warm or over 2000 RPM.

 

The oil gets thinner when it warms up. If the pressure is OK at idle when the oil is thicker, then it's worth getting the oil pump pulled out & checked over - it's worth making this speculative investment if it saves you the cost of replacing the engine.

You haven't replied to the questions in my first post - answers might help forum members to get a clearer picture & thus give you good advice.....

BB

 

If you had a clog then the pressure would be high. The pressure is taken right at the filter. I would try changing the filter to a Volvo filter and organic 10W40 oil and just see what happens. It's worth the $30 for peace of mind. I wish you luck with this.