Volvo 244 1982

bobby1970

Just wondering while driving my oil pressure goes between 400kpa and 450kpa is this normal oil pressure

BradC

That's a pretty standard cold pressure, or hot pressure at redline.

Hot I idle at about 1.5-2 bar (2 on the road, 1.5 after a couple of hours towing). Above about 2000 rpm it's always up around 3 bar and it steadily rises as the revs do. Cold starts I get more than 4 bar at idle.

What oil are you using? My pressures are based on Mobil 1 5w30 on a motor that has 450,000km on it.

bobby1970

I use 20w50 mine sits about what your does and mines done 90000km thank you brad I was a bit worried my flame trap was cause high oil pressure

bobby1970

Valveline premium I use brad

BradC

Right, so thick oil. The flame trap plays no point in oil pressure, but it will cause excessive crank case pressure and pop seals out if you let it plug up.

Next oil change I'd go to a 40 or 30 weight oil. The only reason you'd want a 50 is if you were spending hours on a race track or towing a huge weight up a large hill. Plus, when I went from 5w50 to 5w30 I picked up a noticeable increase in fuel economy.

I did a test run by flogging the car at about 80 in second (automatic) up a large series of hills and towing a block of flats that weighs as much as the car. I saw oil temps up around 120C and still the pressure with the 30 weight oil was in spec. Around town I don't see oil temps past about 90 on a stinking hot day and usually sitting just above 80 after a half hour drive. The old 20W50 is a thick oil.

Vee_Que

I would not run 5w 30 in a 450,000km motor. Great way to damage it. As a qaulified mechanic, the heavier oil is fine to use, I run hpr15 synthetic in my turbo car, have done for years with 0 issues and have good oil pressure.. mostly as I care to not overheat my oil, and getting an extra 1l/100 is a waste of time vs an engine.

BradC

Vee_Que;59231 wroteI would not run 5w 30 in a 450,000km motor. Great way to damage it.

As you are a qualified mechanic and I'm not, can you take the time to explain to me why and how am I going to damage my motor? Leave out the old wives tales and hyperbole and let's have some science.

Anthony

I like many others have used both oil viscosity grades.

The 5-30W would make the old high mileage engine clatter a bit more. This could lead to more accelerated wear on old components due to the clearance allowing bits to knock together.
Also the chances of oil seal leaks would go up a notch.

I rather like 5-30W in tighter clearance motors as I notice engines revs out quicker and have a little better fuel economy.
No flames please just my experiences.

jamesinc

As a rule for any RWD Volvo I run 10W40. 10W40 is a nice safe oil I think, and unless you're getting a lot of leaking or you know the bearings are very worn, I wouldn't bother going up to a more viscous oil.

On a personal note, I really like Brad Penn 10W40 and if you buy it by the box (12 quarts) it's about the same price as Penrite.

bobby1970

Thank you very much guys I will be changing to 10w 40