Volvo Repair: oil pressure light, engine teardown, volvo cross country

Question
2000 volvo cross country
oil pressure light flickers on sometimes.  usually when slowing and going around a corner.

Answer
First check to make sure your oil level is not too low.  If it is okay, then most likely your problem is the oil pump pickup tube gaskets.  There was a bulletin out on this issue.  To repair the problem you will need to drop the oil pan, remove the pickup  tube from the bottom of the block, replace the o-rings on the tube, the o-rings taht are under the oil pump on the block (right under the pulley), and replace the 2 o-rings on the tube INSIDE the oil pan.  The o-rings come together as a kit.  Just ask for the o-ring kit for the oil pan, they should know what you are talking about.  There are some extras in that kit.  It will also have 2 orings and gaskets for the turbo return lines for a twin turbo.  It has all the oil o-rings to accomadate every model.  No need to do the turbo oil return line unless it is leaking.  Just save those seals for later when it does start leaking.  If you plan on having a shop do the work it is very cheap on parts (obviously, since it is just a small gasket kit), maybe $20.  The labor is anywhere from 4-5 hours at whatever the shops labor rate is.  The oil pan is  sealed with a special chemical gasket not regular run-of-the-mill RTV.  Most independent shops won't know this, so if they do the repair have them buy specifically the dealer only sealant.  It is much thinner than RTV but still seals the pan without leaks.  It is rolled on with a pintroller brush (a small one, only a small amount of sealant is needed.  It will look like an orange peel, not fully covered).  If the oil quality is very low and sludged, you may have oil passages blocked inside your motor.  If that is the case none of these things will fix your problem.  You will need an entire engine teardown and cleaning by a machine shop OR a new/used motor to replace the one you have.  IF ANY SHOP TRYS TO CONVINCE YOU YOU NEED AN OIL FLUSH SERVICE DO NOT DO IT.  IT USUALLY ONLY DISLOCATES HEAVY DEPOSITS AND THEY GET LODGED IN SMALLER MORE IMPORTANT PASSAGES, CUTTING OFF VITAL OIL PRESSURE.  THIS DESTROYS MOTORS PERMANANTLY.  I have seen a motor seize completely never to turn again after having one of these services performed.

James