2002 V70 noise and ATF question...

volvoCLE · Post by **volvoCLE** » 08 Jun 2010, 04:53

My 2002 V70 makes a strange noise, sounds like a growl, and seems like it is coming from the power steering pump. I checked the fluid level and topped it up with power steering fluid, and it seems a little less noticeable. It wasn't really that low, just a little below the low mark. Should I plan to replace it, and if so, is there a rebuild kit available? Could the noise be the air pump? Which is more prone to failure?

question #2: When checking ATF level, do you check it as you would with other cars, with the engine idling, or when it is off? With the engine off, it is perfectly at the cold mark. Start the motor and the fluid level drops and nothing shows on the stick.

Thanks in advance!

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 08 Jun 2010, 06:24

Hello, Just one question to start: What kind of fluid did you use when you topped off your power stering pump? You can test the air pump by unplugging it when it growls. If you don't have a code reader, get one and save yourself the chore of removing a battery cable every time you need to reset the CEL. Simply removing the air pump for a thorough inspection is no big deal. There have been several posts involving people who thought a PS pump went bad only to learn it was an alternator going bad. When it growls park near a wall with the windows open and tax the electrical system by moving all 4 windows and hitting the brights at the same time. It should change the growl if it's the alternator. The same trick can be used for the A/C compressor. Turn the system on then off when you hear the growl and listen for changes.
Checking the transmission fluid is best done after 20 minutes of driving (hot fluid). Stop the car and slowly run the selector through the entire range (P through L and back). Then check the level. USE A 3309 fluid. Do a search on that subject if you're unaware of the difference. Toyota Type-IV fluid is the same as the expensive Volvo fluid. Don't use a Dexron/Mercon fluid. Kira

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Jun 2010, 07:58

My PS fluid was low when I bought the car 3 years ago for some unknown reason. I topped it up and haven't had a problem since. Unless you see fluid visibly leaking on the ground or under the car, I wouldn't worry about it.

The air pumps go out ALL the time, but it only runs for the first 2 minutes during startup.

Kira's suggestion is a good one - listen to all the components in that belt path to see if you can isolate what the noise is coming from.

volvoCLE · Post by **volvoCLE** » 08 Jun 2010, 17:47

Thanks for the advice! I was thinking it was the power steering pump because it seems to have a vibration that the other components do not. You can only hear the growl after start up, and only at low rpm. The car drives great, and had no problems passing E-check (emissions). But I will do as Kira suggests to further isolate and confirm the exact location.

As for the ATF, do you leave the engine running when you check the fluid level, as you would with other cars? Or is it checked with the engine off? Other than these two concerns, the car runs well...

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Jun 2010, 16:35

Leave the engine running.