Most likely suspect with the long illumination of the oil light is a bad valve in the oil filter.

For the last two days the light has gone out very fast, like it used to. I'm 1,500 miles away from an oil change, so I'm not going to change it out right now.

Thanks for your assistance.
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If it needs to be maintained, repaired or replaced on a 1990 240, I've probably done it. '90 240DL, 248K looking forward to 300K badge (or sticker??). >>You haven't really worked on a car until you draw blood<< :-}

I read the other posts and will concur by saying spin a new filter on and it will probably go away. This has happened to me before, and more than once.

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Chris Herbst
Scottsdale, AZ

Same problem with my 940. My hope was a bad anti drain back valve. Removal of the filter, engine cold, the filter was almost empty. This verified my guess. The new filter solved the problem. I was not the only one that had this issue in the 940 board. A few bad Mann filters must have escaped. Could be the same problem as the Volvo filter. Claims on the board or the FAQ say Volvo and Mann are the same. Barton Volvo says not. I don't know and I'm not sure I care.

More info.

The oil filter is a genuine Volvo, made in Germany. Bought at the dealership about 2-3 years ago, case of 12 for $50. I'm down to the last 3 of that case.

I use Castrol 10W30 in winter & Shell Rotella 15W40 in summer, both are non synthetic.
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If it needs to be maintained, repaired or replaced on a 1990 240, I've probably done it. '90 240DL, 248K looking forward to 300K badge (or sticker??). >>You haven't really worked on a car until you draw blood<< :-}

Hi John,
My gut feel is that the light should go out much quicker. Now to check if the pressure is down I would suggest you buy or borrow an oil pressure gauge and install it in place of the pressure switch even if it requires you to run a pipe and hold the gauge in your hand if it is the Bourdon tube type so you can start the car whilst watching the gauge.

I recommend you use the old plumbed tube type rather than the electric type since the electric ones are often slower to react. Next point is with a tube type it is not too hard to make a temporary fix to take it down to the service station and put it on the air line and see if the pressures are about the same between the airline and the oil pressure gauge since it does not need power.

Then armed with the cold pressure and hot pressure you can tell if the oil pressure is OK. Just one possibility apart from a faulty switch is the blow off valve to the oil pump is not closing fully and some pressure is being bled away and hence the pressure is coming up slowly. Measure it and tell us what you find.
Regards,
Checkpoint Charlie

I have noticed a recent deterioration in the quality of Volvo oil filters. I think they have changed the design of the non-return valve and it is not as good as formerly, so my oil light now takes a second to go out. I have switched back to a Champion C165 and the light goes out virtually instantly.

What sort of oil filter are you using?

Crappy filters either lack, or have crappy check valves which means oil has further to go before things pressurize at the pressure sensor.

-Ryan


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Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 312k
1990 245 DL 133k M47, E-codes
1991 745 GL 290k (Girlfriend-mobile)
Buckeye Volvo Club

Are you running full synthetic oil? If so, go to a summer (dunno what climate you are in now) weight of 10W-40. With a synthetic, I understand that the percentage of the quart devoted to additives is less than with dino oil.

I use 5W-40 all year in my 1997 965. Why the 5W? For the 965, the hydraulic lifters pump up very quickly, ending clatter sooner. Also, the viscosity rises from 5W fairly fast.

A faster pump-up will put the oil light out quicker. It would be nice to have an oil pressure gauge, though. If you find one, eBay or a junk yard, be sure to get all the sender plumbing.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

you need an oil pressure gauge.

mine (90 also) goes off in a second.

maybe less.


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(http://drevilspinazzz.ytmnd.com) 'Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter.' - Dr.Seuss