S60 Engine Vaccuum Pressure Causing Engine to Whisle

andrewwbryan12 · Post by **andrewwbryan12** » 07 May 2012, 11:47

Hey guys, I have a non-turbo 2001 S60. When my engine warms up, a whistling noise is emitted from under my hood. When the RPMs are low, the engine's RPMs fluctuate from 500-1000. It almost looks like failing ETM behavior, I feel like the engine is going to stall and die. Anyway, I believe this whisling is occuring because the vaccume pressure in engine is extreemely high. I have pinpointed the whistling noise to be coming from the oil cap at the top of the engine, it's sucking in air. The pressure is so great, I can hardly pull the oil cap off while the car is running. Also, this ONLY occurs when the engine is warm, and when my RPM's are 1800+ the whistling sound goes away. What could cause such a pressure increase? Does anyone have any sugguestions on how to fix this? I'm about to give up on this S60.

Post by **jimmy57** » 07 May 2012, 15:33

This is a well known issue as the result of the crankcase pressure regulator part of crankcase vent system developing a ruptured diaphragm. IT is part of the vapor/oil separator box under the intake manifold.
You purchase a crankcase ventbox and associated hoses, remove intake manifold and replace those pieces.
FOr some cars/engines there is a kit. I am not sure if anyone offers the kit for that car/engine.

andrewwbryan12 · Post by **andrewwbryan12** » 07 May 2012, 15:43

Thanks for the quick reply! Do you have any idea how much something like that would cost to have replaced? Are you describing the black box behind the alternator? Also, should I completely stop driving my car until I can get an appointment?

Post by **JRL** » 07 May 2012, 16:15

No
Inside the engine
Intake manifold has to be removed, not a job for a novice, it's tricky
About $125-150 in parts and a dealer will charge you about 4-1/2 hours labor (flat rate).

If you don't fix this soon, (ie now) you will develop oil leaks all over the place. The system is clogged with no place for the oil to go except out the nearest seal, this will hurt performance and about everything else, not to mention will cost you a lot more to fix the leaks especially the rear main seal ($1000 to fix) which is next to leak!

andrewwbryan12 · Post by **andrewwbryan12** » 07 May 2012, 17:01

Thanks for the bad news JRL!

I scheduled an appointment with my local shop, Utah Imports, for tomorrow. They quoted me $483 after tax, does that seem reasonable?

Also, would a seafoam treatment possibly help me in this situation?

Thanks guys!

Post by **jimmy57** » 07 May 2012, 19:42

The 2001 and later non turbo S60, V70 and all the newer 6 and 5 cylinders w/o turbos ( the new 3.2 6 cylinder too) have that valve that wasn't on older white motors. The diaphragm ruptures even on an impeccably clean motor. but goes sooner on poor oil service history cars. The noise is from crankcase being under vacuum and the air being sucked through cam seals, front crank seal, sometimes rear cam seals. Any one of those seals that is easier to get air to pass through will be the one that makes the Kazoo noise. IF you pull oil cap or pull out dipstick so that one of those is the vent for air instead of seals then the noise quits.
The greater risk of this problem is that sand or grit gets pulled into the seal and it wears the shaft it rides on and leaks.
This crankcase pressure regulator gizmo is akin to a PCV valve that domestic cars used to use (some still do).
The S40/V50 models had a service action/extended warranty that covers the vapor separator/crankcase pressure regulator. The assembly is part of the oil filter housing on that version of the 5 cylinders. Again on those it is only non-turbos. Turbos have intakes with no vacuum for any throttle opening much above idle due to turbo pressure.

Seafoam may not be needed. The shop that works on the car can tell you after they do the work.
That sounds like a good price for that job.
The parts approach $200 unless Volvo has dropped the price of the CPR equipped crankcase breather boxes.

Post by **JRL** » 07 May 2012, 19:42

Actually yes, if they use all new parts and don't try to clean most of the old parts
Ask to see all the removed parts
Seafoam will do nothing for this

Post by **DGM** » 08 May 2012, 06:21

Here is a view of parts involved. The view isn't showing the intake manifold gasket included in the kit.

http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4996/114 ... -non-turbo

Here is the sound.

And we are not alone with this sound

.

andrewwbryan12 · Post by **andrewwbryan12** » 08 May 2012, 11:54

Thanks for all the replies!

Just dropped my car off at the shop. I asked to be shown all the replaced parts. Hopefully my other seals are still entact.