Strange engine noise coming from our 2013 Volvo XC60

[2013volvoxc60]

https://youtube.com/shorts/Te1fYGLElxI? ... SFQqIG9UyQ


Have 191k miles on it. The noise doesn't rev match. It's a hard noise to describe. It sounds like something is trying to fail.

[pgill]

A few things to consider

1. Remove the oil fill cap at idle to rule out the PCV

2. Turn off the AC and check to make sure that it is not engaged (the outside of the pulley spins with the belt but the inside will not be turning) does the sound disappear with AC off?

3. With the engine at idle have someone move the steering wheel to engage the power steering. Does that change the sound?

4. Get a mechanic stethoscope or something similar and listen to the Vacuum pump to make sure that the sound is not coming from the pump

Those are the inexpensive things that you should check and eliminate before moving on to the expensive things.

Good luck

Paul

[pgill]

For items number two here is a picture of an AC compressor

The center won’t spin unless the AC clutch is engaged and you want to see if the noise goes away with the AC disengaged and then comes back with it engaged



Good luck

Paul

[2013volvoxc60]

The car is at an independent Volvo shop right now. I'll update the post with what was wrong with it when I get new information.

[pgill]

Thanks for the update

Take care

Paul

[2013volvoxc60]

Diagnosed as the alternator decoupler pulley. I included the prices for the part and labor for posterity. Going ahead and getting some other work done as well.

Side note, I'm pretty much never going to get the catalytic converters replaced. Volvo and this independent shop both diagnosed the check engine light to that. Too expensive for an intermittent check engine light and parts that aren't crucial. Volvo wanted 6000+ and this shop is close to 5 grand.

[pgill]

If I am reading the quote correctly then it will cost you one thousand for a rebuild alternator?

The price seems reasonable if you are going to have the work done at an independent shop.

Just keep a few things in mind

The auxiliary belt that drives the AC, Water Pump and power steering pump also has a overdrive pulley and if the pulley on the alternator is actually broken then it is likely that the auxiliary belt pulley is broken or will be soon

Having said that I replaced both pulleys before 10 years and 100,000 miles

Volvo recommends a longer interval but my pulleys were seized up


As for the last point about the catalyst efficiency I recommend that you get some Denso iridium spark plugs and a code reader that will show you the raw data for misfiring on each cylinder

Good luck

Paul

[2013volvoxc60]

Looking at my old records the alternator was replaced in 2020 and this coupler part was 90 bucks at the Volvo dealer. Looks like gaskets went up in price too. 6 for 33 compared to 6 for 90

[pgill]

Doesn’t Volvo have a lifetime warranty on repairs

I thought I read something about that somewhere

Good luck

Paul

[pgill]

For reference I replaced the overdrive pulley and I replaced the brushes and regulator.

But that’s all and my LR2 is 18 years old and about 150,000 miles

So I am surprised that you are replacing the Alternator every 5 or 6 years

We need more information

Do you replace the battery when it becomes problematic or are you jump starting the car and only replacing the battery when you can’t get it to start

Full disclosure I am on the original Alternator but I have replaced the battery 4 times so it’s the fifth battery


One thing to think about is the small coolant line above the Alternator on the Alternator this line was recalled for leaking and I replaced that line every time I remove the intake manifold

For reference I also had a S80 3.2 and it used the same part as the LR2

Let us know what you find out

Thanks

Paul