Awesome... Thank You for the response!

I removed the timing belt cover and looked at the area you mentioned... apparently I need to remove more to see. The only thing I was able to see was the stamp on the head, but will look again & further in the morning.

Some pics... bought for $1600, before we knew about the engine noise.

Hello, Brand new to the forum and to Volvos... bought a 2007 V50 with a 2.5 T5 and 6-speed manual gearbox at an auction today. Beautiful black w/ black interior, and 160k miles. Trouble is that it was bought sight-unseen and was greeted to an engine tick/knock, bluish smoke in the exhaust, and a che...