Volvo D4 - wandering oil pressure!

[kennyh]

Hi all

I've a 2007 D4-260 that has some "wandering" on its oil pressure when running above idle.

For example, while running it at 1500rpm (out of gear), the oil pressure gauge reads between 440kpa to 480kpa. It will wander up and down between those values, changing around 10kpa every few seconds.

This is not a new phenomenon; it's been doing that since I bought the bought last Jan. But it is starting to concern me.

Is this normal I wonder, or does it warrant further investigations.

 

[aquapower]

Hi all

I've a 2007 D4-260 that has some "wandering" on its oil pressure when running above idle.

For example, while running it at 1500rpm (out of gear), the oil pressure gauge reads between 440kpa to 480kpa. It will wander up and down between those values, changing around 10kpa every few seconds.

This is not a new phenomenon; it's been doing that since I bought the bought last Jan. But it is starting to concern me.

Is this normal I wonder, or does it warrant further investigations.

First thing to do would be connect up a manual gauge and check, it could be something as simple as the sender, this test will tell you if further investigation is required.

 

[dustywings]

Had exactly the same on my boat this year, it was simply a faulty sender unit.

 

[dpb]

First thing to do would be connect up a manual gauge and check, it could be something as simple as the sender, this test will tell you if further investigation is required.

Ha! Having googled oil pressure issues recently this advice crops up the most. Usually with the word 'simply' added. As in 'simply connect a manual gauge and check'.
Don't get me wrong, it is good advice.......but it took me a painful hour to remove mine last week end, hanging upside down in the engine bay, probably the first time it was removed in 20+ years, sandwiched as it was between the oil cooler and filter, the alternator and the engine mount.
But eventually the mechanical gauge proved that the oil pressure was OK and not as high as the dash gauge was showing, cleaned the terminals on the sender and reinstalled it and voila dash readings now normal.

 

[kennyh]

So then the next question is what type of mechanical pressure gauge do I need?

 

[aquapower]

So then the next question is what type of mechanical pressure gauge do I need?

Something like this will do the job.

http://sykes-pickavant.com/products/compression-and-fuel-pressure-test-tools/petrol-compression/360

 

[dpb]

I bought this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Engine-Oi...970?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27e9afc862

 

[kennyh]

And I take it the manual gauge is screwed into where the sender is located?

And looking at the scale for the manual gauge, I'd need to detect a variation of 1.5% to 5%. Hopefully that would be detectable on the gauge.

 

[aquapower]

And I take it the manual gauge is screwed into where the sender is.

That's correct.

 

[kennyh]

Thanks all.

Well that's the plan then. Check with a manual gauge to see if it's the sender.

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[rafiki_]

Kenny, before you dismantle the sender, first thing to do is to check the connector to the sender. I had this problem with my Azimut, and I cleaned the connector and fixed the wandering. Not saying that this is definitely the cure, but an easy thing to check before you delve deeper.

 

[kennyh]

Kenny, before you dismantle the sender, first thing to do is to check the connector to the sender. I had this problem with my Azimut, and I cleaned the connector and fixed the wandering. Not saying that this is definitely the cure, but an easy thing to check before you delve deeper.

Good call Rafiki, I'll give that a go first. Thanks.

 

[dpb]

Kenny, before you dismantle the sender, first thing to do is to check the connector to the sender. I had this problem with my Azimut, and I cleaned the connector and fixed the wandering. Not saying that this is definitely the cure, but an easy thing to check before you delve deeper.

Yep, that would have sorted mine to......regarding the gauges, some that are offered have a scale reading up to 500 psi, others, as I bought, up to 100 psi. As most engines I think operate in the sub 100psi range the smaller range allows you to see smaller variations more clearly.
Also need to establish the thread on your sender so you can match to those supplied with the gauge or get the right adapters.

 

[kennyh]

Believe it or not, I've not got round to fixing this yet!

Started the engine yesterday after it's winter layup and thought "Oh, I must look into the oil pressure wandering issue..."

Of course, I've now forgotten how to go about this!

So, reviewing the thread I see I need to check the wiring connection on the sensor and if still faulty then check with a manual gauge.

Can anyone advise where the sensor is? Is it the one behind the oil filters??

 

[aquatom]

It is screwed directly into the oil gallery near to where the front left engine mount meets the block.