Narrative:

While passing through approximately 30;000 ft on departure I notice the 'left engine oil press' light on the forward instrument panel was flickering. I then noticed the left oil quantity was 0 and the left engine oil pressure on EICAS was fluctuating while in the 130-150 psi range (approximately). We reviewed the 'engine oil press left(right)' irregular procedure even though there was no EICAS message related to the oil pressure fluctuation. We decided to return to the departure airport and sent an ACARS to maintenance regarding the situation and a message to dispatch referring to the maintenance message and that we were returning. We told ATC what the problem was and did not declare an emergency; but requested the crash crew to stand by. At idle thrust; the fluctuating oil pressure dropped below 100 psi and there were a few intermittent red indications. With thrust advanced to approximately .95 EPR; the oil pressure remained sufficiently high (~95 psi +/- 15) to prevent red indications. To prepare for a possible engine shut down or possible operation in the lower amber band; we turned off the autothrottle arm switch; selected the transponder to TA; selected override on the GPWS flap switch; and planned a flaps 20 landing. We did not reduce thrust to a minimum as that might have required a shutdown if the pressure remained in the red band. We made an uneventful landing and shut down the left engine after clearing the runway. After crossing the left runway; ground control told us to stop as the crash crew observed smoke coming from the right engine. When queried two or three times; they decided the smoke was coming from the left engine. We asked for a discreet frequency for the crash crew and were told they were on ground. We were unable to establish communications with them due to continuous talk between ground control and other aircraft. We finally established communications with the crash crew on another frequency and were told there didn't appear to be a fire; and that the hoses they deployed were a precaution. With my window open; I spoke to a company person who said the smoke was residual leaking oil burning off the engine. We then proceeded to the gate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B757-200's L ENG OIL PRESS light illuminate during climbout. Left oil quantity indicated zero but oil pressure remained around 100 PSI. The aircraft was returned to the departure airport but an emergency was not declared.

Narrative: While passing through approximately 30;000 FT on departure I notice the 'L ENG OIL PRESS' light on the forward instrument panel was flickering. I then noticed the left oil quantity was 0 and the left engine oil pressure on EICAS was fluctuating while in the 130-150 PSI range (approximately). We reviewed the 'ENG OIL PRESS L(R)' irregular procedure even though there was no EICAS message related to the oil pressure fluctuation. We decided to return to the departure airport and sent an ACARS to maintenance regarding the situation and a message to Dispatch referring to the maintenance message and that we were returning. We told ATC what the problem was and did not declare an emergency; but requested the Crash Crew to stand by. At idle thrust; the fluctuating oil pressure dropped below 100 PSI and there were a few intermittent red indications. With thrust advanced to approximately .95 EPR; the oil pressure remained sufficiently high (~95 PSI +/- 15) to prevent red indications. To prepare for a possible engine shut down or possible operation in the lower amber band; we turned off the autothrottle arm switch; selected the transponder to TA; selected override on the GPWS flap switch; and planned a flaps 20 landing. We did not reduce thrust to a minimum as that might have required a shutdown if the pressure remained in the red band. We made an uneventful landing and shut down the left engine after clearing the runway. After crossing the left runway; Ground Control told us to stop as the crash crew observed smoke coming from the right engine. When queried two or three times; they decided the smoke was coming from the left engine. We asked for a discreet frequency for the Crash Crew and were told they were on Ground. We were unable to establish communications with them due to continuous talk between Ground Control and other aircraft. We finally established communications with the crash crew on another frequency and were told there didn't appear to be a fire; and that the hoses they deployed were a precaution. With my window open; I spoke to a Company person who said the smoke was residual leaking oil burning off the engine. We then proceeded to the gate.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.