High pitch whinning noise from engine

Cadester · Post by **Cadester** » 23 Aug 2010, 07:16

The last few weeks I've had a high pitch whinning noise from the engine. Took it to repair shop (not a Volvo specialist) and was told it might be the power steering fluid needed changing. Had that repair done. Noise still exists and now when I get out of the car, there is a gas/oil smell. Also, encountered on 3 random occasions, the car just shut down when coming to a stop.

I've changed the gas to a premium grade. The noise is not related to the a/c (at least I don't think so, since the noise presists whether it's on or off). Any ideas?

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 23 Aug 2010, 07:55

There has been a noise issue related to the breather box on some models...To find out if it IS this issue, either remove the oil filler cap or pull the dipstick while the engine is running and is making the noise...If the noise goes away, it is the breather box issue...Some models, notably the S-40 (it happened to my daughter) have a 10 year extended warranty on this issue...You would ahve to check with Volvo if your breather box is noisy...

Cadester · Post by **Cadester** » 23 Aug 2010, 08:04

Jerry -- thanks so much for the info!!! Will give it a go.

Cadester · Post by **Cadester** » 23 Aug 2010, 13:44

Jerry -- took your suggestion -- sure enough, when I pulled the oil dip stick out, the noise stopped!

Thank you so very much. Now, it's just a matter of getting it fixed, but such a relief to know what the problem is!

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 27 Aug 2010, 15:08

Cadester wrote:Jerry -- took your suggestion -- sure enough, when I pulled the oil dip stick out, the noise stopped!

Thank you so very much. Now, it's just a matter of getting it fixed, but such a relief to know what the problem is!

Don't wait too long...The scuttlebut has it that oil will start collecting in the breather bex, and that means that the oil supply in the crankcase is diminishing...

dougted · Post by **dougted** » 29 Aug 2010, 11:04

Hey Jerry -
I have a similar whining problem, but the dipstick/filler removal didn't solve it.

Where would you look if the whining continued after the dipstick/filler test? My 06 xc70 with 80k mi is whining, and the noise is located between the air box and the motor in the front left of the engine compartment. I pulled the air box out looking for vac leaks, found none. There's a little vent tube at the top of the transmission, but I can't tell if it's the source. Doug

smarzig · Post by **smarzig** » 04 Nov 2010, 15:35

i had this and mine was a pulley from the AC, wowee it sounded like a very LOUD electric can opener. I got a used pulley/ac compressor from the junkyard.

jking4020 · Post by **jking4020** » 02 Jul 2017, 09:40

Are you sure it's coming from the engine? My mother has a 98 XC70 with a whining noise. It seems like it almost comes from everywhere. I finally located it on the passenger side rocker panel between the passenger doors. Some whining noise coming from there. Maybe fuel pump? Inside the cabin though it seems to come from everywhere.