whining noise from engine

1999S70 · Post by **1999S70** » 11 Dec 2009, 20:43

I have a 99 S70 non-turbo. After my car is warmed up and has been driven around for a while, I notice a whining noise similar to this

when I rev the engine when stationary or making a turn. I have checked the power steering fluid reservoir and the fluid is at an adequate level.

This noise is only noticeable at lower speeds. Is the power steering pump or rack going bad?

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Dec 2009, 20:55

I doubt it's the power steering pump honestly if you're not turning - these tend to be pretty good on Volvos. Take a piece of PVC pipe or something you've got lying around and use it as a stethoscope try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. It could be a bad tensioner somewhere along the serpentine belt as well. My Buick used to make a noise like that...it was SO LOUD. It had a bad alternator - changed it out, noise was gone, and it was quiet again

1999S70 · Post by **1999S70** » 11 Dec 2009, 21:41

The weird thing though is this noise only comes on after driving for 15-20 mins and when the car is warm, or after coming off the freeway and driving at lower speeds. I forgot to mention that I have 144,000 miles on this car.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 12 Dec 2009, 00:20

Yank the serpentine belt off and see if the noise goes away. That noise could be coming from a failing water pump. Really bad things happen if it craps out all the way when you are driving.

Buy pulling off the belt you can isolate whether or not the problem is in the serpentine belt chain or the timing belt chain. Warm the car up first since your problem, as described, seems to be temperature dependent.

When you run the car without the serpentine belt the dash will light up like a Christmas tree but don't worry about it - everything will go back to normal after the belt is replaced.

...Lee

1999S70 · Post by **1999S70** » 13 Dec 2009, 16:20

Ozark Lee wrote:Yank the serpentine belt off and see if the noise goes away. That noise could be coming from a failing water pump. Really bad things happen if it craps out all the way when you are driving.

Buy pulling off the belt you can isolate whether or not the problem is in the serpentine belt chain or the timing belt chain. Warm the car up first since your problem, as described, seems to be temperature dependent.

When you run the car without the serpentine belt the dash will light up like a Christmas tree but don't worry about it - everything will go back to normal after the belt is replaced.

...Lee

I had the timing belt, tensioner, idler pulley, and water pump replaced a month ago at a dealership. I heard the same noise though before the timing belt service.

Post by **misha** » 13 Dec 2009, 16:54

Then...since you replaced all timing belt components including timing belt,you have a few options...serpentine belt tensioner,alternator bearing or power steering pump bearing.

Do like Lee adviced you,to determine if you have serpentine belt tensioner problem.If the noise is still present,after you do that,then more likely the power steering pump bearing is making that sound.

mdempst_79 · Post by **mdempst_79** » 14 Dec 2009, 08:46

I had the same sound on my 94 850, and it turned out to be the serpentine idler wheel (Plastic one down by the A/C & Alternator). The bearing was shot in it, and hasnt made a noise since I replaced it.

There is a cap on the pulley you need to remove, then you gain access to the bolt that holds it on. A few scars and a beer and it will be done.

Mark

1999S70 · Post by **1999S70** » 23 Dec 2009, 04:24

Ok, I finally isolated the noise to the power steering pump. I also noticed that the power steering fluid was brown in color and foaming. I'm going to attempt a turkey baster method flush and replace the fluid and I'll put an update.