New guy, 1st question. Oil warning light and sludgy oil.

[BenF]

Hi all,

I have a fairly new to me 2001 v70 xc. After driving for a a couple of hours recently I noticed the oil warning message, luckily just I was pulling into my house. This is where you will probably all tell me off, but I tentatively tried it again having verified the oil level and letting the car cool, the light didn't come back. The next two or so days my wife had to commute in it with no issues.

I changed the oil yesterday there was quite a lot of debris in it and the filter housing, like gritty chunks of carbon ( not metal ) I can also feel them if I stick my pinkie up the drain hole. A 20 minute test drive showed no issues.

So what is the next step ? How serious is this ?

I could try ( in order of the least pain in the ass ).

Do a few more oil changes on a short interval to see if it helps.

Try some parts store diy engine flusher.

Take it for an engine flush, maybe with an oil pressure test ( is that a thing ) ?

Drop the pan and clean it out, ( if this is the answer, do I have to drop everything and do it asap or can I plan it for a couple of weeks time ) ?

The car is the 5 cyl gas, auto US version. 97k. It done about 1000 miles a year since 2008, don't know if extended sitting around could have effected it. The previous owner sounded like it was maintained regularly.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

[goldxc70]

These cars are pretty sensitive when it comes to the quality and grade of oil used as well as frequency of changes. Are you going to do your own maintenance or use an indy Volvo guy?

[BenF]

I will be doing oil changes and basic maintenance myself, there is a local indy specialist close by. I had him flush the trans pretty much straight away, good to know he is there if I get stuck.

[Xheart]

I'm at 200,000 miles. Change all fluid and filters, spark plug, coils may be.
Use this for checklist: http://www.volvoxc.com/wp-content/up...oChecklist.pdf

[Astro14]

Drop the pan. Clean the pickup. Clean the PCV passage and replace the o-rings while you’re in there. There are about 30 bolts holding it on, buy an electric ratchet. You’ll need a seal kit that includes turbo drain seal, dipstick seal, and oil tube seals. You’ll need anaerobic sealant.

[BenF]

I ordered this

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...UaAtAxEALw_wcB

Is that right ? I have an air impact, jack stands and a floor jack.

Thanks for all the advice, I'm going for the do it once, do it right approach

[BenF]

I read a DIY, any idea why they say ramps only not jack and jack stands ?

[BillAileo]

Perhaps because ramps are safer?.

[Astro14]

I ordered this

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...UaAtAxEALw_wcB

Is that right ? I have an air impact, jack stands and a floor jack.

Thanks for all the advice, I'm going for the do it once, do it right approach

That’s a good kit. It covers a variety of engines, so you will have parts left over.

[goldxc70]

I read a DIY, any idea why they say ramps only not jack and jack stands ?

If you have the space, ramps are certainly more convenient. I'd say they are safer as well as long as you chock the other wheels.