I don't know, all I know was the oil was jet black... though the filter wasn't bad at all. But new oil and filter and only 6000 miles later, wouldn't generate enough crud to block the filter, but the pickup screen is tiny so I assumed this, and the symptoms suggest it. The symptoms started by the red triangle flickering at idle, and then progressively got worse.. and if shut car off, and say waited an hour, upon startup it'd be fine, until maybe five min later and the red triangle again. But if it bypassed the oil filter, then the pressure wouldn't drop..thus I assumed it was the pickup... Now its fine. And I didn't clean the pickup... just put in new oil and filter.... for 10K miles ago had to replace the seals and did a complete clean of pan, along with a few rapid oil changes at 2500 intervals, until this last one.
I've come to the realization that 110K is not high mileage on a 2.5T as these engines are we built and last over 300K. Plus the path for the lifters is very small and a thicker oil may not effectively he through... and I will follow the mfr recommendations of a 30 weight oil and not, say 0W-40 because some here claim the thicker oil helps the older engines.
Maybe so but that will be for engines much older than mine.
And to chitownv, yes I've owned the car from the start and hadn't realized there is no low oil indicator....never was an issue because never had used an oil like the M1 that'd be consumed so fast.
I wasn't going to say anything again, but you called me out specifically.
We are here to try to help one another. Yes, people can make assumptions or worry about things, but a collective forum of experience and information can do wonders. It is also known as crowdsourcing for good answers.
First, you should be proud of your engine. Many many 2.5t owners, whether they are XC90 or S60 owners, would desire their engine to be able to run 6,000 miles before the oil pressure light came on due to low oil. Many will have that light come on as early as 3,000 miles regardless of engine oil weight or type. No commonality in the type of oil used, maintenance, or other factors....just that they all have the 2.5t. Many decide to shorten their oil change interval from the 7,500 stated in the manual regardless of engine type.
Second, your story was somewhat confusing so yes, we ask questions to help clarify. Since we don't know your XC90 or its history, sometimes questions are asked. Trying to understand you, I will try to put your posts in order. Please correct and make edits so it is easier for us to understand your story.
- 1. You had some kind of oil leak issue so you changed oil seals (did not mention which one). The assumption is it was the oil pan gasket because you mentioned cleaning the inside of the oil pan and not the pick-up screen.
- 2. Following the oil seal change, you did two 2,500 oil changes. Quick oil change intervals are not usually needed after doing oil seals, so naturally a question on this. Also, the oil type/brand/weight was not mentioned.
- 3. On the third oil change, using Mobil 1 0W-40, you noticed the oil pressure light at 6,000 miles. The oil was low (but mainly dropped in the last 500 miles), black, but the oil filter seemed normal. Along with the oil pressure light going out after the engine sat for a little while, the assumption was made the oil pick-up screen was clogged. No scope was used and the assumption that the Synthetic Mobil 1 0W-40 was to blame.
- 4. After you changed the oil to non-M1 0W-40 (but did mention Castrol GTX High Mileage blend 5W-30 because that's what Walmart had) and it is at the correct oil level, the oil pressure light does not show. Unknown mileage on this oil, but you said you will change it now at the 4,000-mile mark. Natural question here if you think your 2.5t burns oil because now you want to use a shorter oil change interval.
- 5. You are surprised Mobil 1 could not make it to 7,500 miles without topping it off, but also mentioned you do a lot of short trips.
I hope I got it right. Truly trying to summarize correctly.
Third, when I mainly give the Mobil 1 0W-40 oil recommendation, historically it was more focused on the 3.2 engine. The manual does state (depending on year because of when 0W-40 came out) that the 3.2 can use a 0W-40 oil. I tried to help those with the 2.5t and oil burning issue looking for options to try a Mobil 1 0W-40 and if the oil burning does continue, to try Castrol's 0W-40 since the viscosity is a little thicker, but many have already been using 5W-30 weight oils...plus each owner can make their own decision on oil and what is comfortable for them. I provided non-biased data with viscosity specs, HTHS, etc. in a spreadsheet for people here:
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?593467-Oil-is-sooooo-confusing Again, trying to provide information collected directly from the oil manufacturers so people can make their own informed decision. The poster
Orange also gave his experience with how his oil burning stopped after a few oil changes when switching to synthetic oil from conventional in this thread; he even provided a video link.
So, are you looking for help or just wanted to share your story and experience?