My Volvo 88 240 whistles like a jet?

gaiaspirit · Post by **gaiaspirit** » 21 Nov 2003, 14:29

Only it's much quieter. As I accelerate, at about 35-40mph I start
to hear a whistle. It sounds like it is from the front not the rear. It increases in pitch with acceleration and decreases as I decelerate. Anyone have a clue? About a month ago I had my front bushings replaced and the ball joints and prior to that my front struts.
Thanks for any help given

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 21 Nov 2003, 16:57

Is the whistle related to engine speed (rpm) or more to vehicle speed?
Have you installed new or different tires recently?
Does the whistle sound mechanical or is it more wind or vacuum sounding?

Michaeljalopy · Post by **Michaeljalopy** » 22 Nov 2003, 23:36

That's strange, my 240 does that, and my 1990 740 does it too.... and I'm trying to figure it out as well. I was thinking it was something with the rear differential???
Any ideas yet?
Michael
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Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 23 Nov 2003, 08:09

There are many thing on a car that will cause a whistling or whining noise. Differential gears that are not meshing correctly, worn or damaged bearings, a common problem on 700's is the windshield trim will come loose and create a very loud whistle, fix for it is silicone the trim securly into place.

But to help identify any specific noise as much information need to be provided as you can, car speed, engine speed, is it temperature related, ....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 24 Nov 2003, 18:37

Volvord 784VC wrote:Is the whistle related to engine speed (rpm) or more to vehicle speed?
Have you installed new or different tires recently?
Does the whistle sound mechanical or is it more wind or vacuum sounding?

It seems to be related to RPM's i think and the tires were just changed as well to snow tires. Don't think it is wind but could be vaccum related. How could this be related to the problem? You're help is appreciated:)

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 24 Nov 2003, 20:44

Two thoughts come immediatly to mind.

First if it ia a vacuumn leak your car will not idle or will idle very rough, so unless this is the case we can probably rule that out.

Second, you mention you just installed snow tires, there is a very good chance that is your noise. Snow tires have a very aggresive tread pattern and many of them are very noisy. I live in western Canada and we live with snow tires about 7-8 months a year, I installed a set recently on my 240 and after a month I replaced them with another set because they were so noisy. Tire noise is directly related to speed and pavement, does the noise change when you travel on different road surfaces?

steveIndy · Post by **steveIndy** » 16 Jan 2004, 15:49

I had this problem and spent over $500 at the dealer, who could not fix the problem.

A simple broom stick will tell you if it is the carrier baering in the drive shaft. That fixed mine.

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 17 Jan 2004, 07:38

When the 240 was introduced to the market the car had big problems with the wistling, maybe as much as 25% had that problem. It was the trim in the front of the hood causing this, exactly in the speed area you are talking about. Try to cover the whole trim with some tape to check if that trim is causing the problem.

missa-okok · Post by **missa-okok** » 17 Jan 2004, 15:34

i had the whistling that increased pitch... at about 25-40 mph

i just added automatic transmission fluid (which was kinda low) and the whistling has stopped so far...

BUT i am going to secure my trim pieces if it does come back

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 18 Jan 2004, 01:39

Sorry, when I talked about the wistling trim I now remember that it is not used in a Volvo 240 from 1988. The wistling trim existed just at the front used from 1975.