'99 Volvo V70XC High Pitched Squeal/Whine

Marilyn99 · Post by **Marilyn99** » 16 Jul 2015, 10:19

The noise/racket coming from the front passenger side (as near as I can tell) starts at about 20 mhp and continues until I've gone about 5 miles or hit 50 mph whichever comes first. It never happens when the car is standing still and doesn't happen once it's warmed up. Along with it is a small grinding sensation in the accelerator. I had it at the dealer yesterday and they didn't find anything because they couldn't hear the noise (I warned them they wouldn't hear it because the car was warm), just assured me that it's safe to drive. I have to leave it with them tomorrow so the car can cool down and they can drive it from cold but I wondered if anyone had any ideas. The PCV was completely cleaned in February so it isn't that.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jul 2015, 11:25

Marilyn - you need to diagnose this with the hood up on cold start and make sure it isn't coming from the immediate front of the engine (which is on the pass side since the engine in these cars is in 'sideways'

You can rev the engine to approximate the 20 mph and see if the noise comes back. You need a Swedish helper with this step.

My fear is a tensioner or idler pulley on your timing belt is making the racket - which is hours of running away from seizing - which costs you a major or new engine job.

The car is perfectly safe to drive - especially if your dealer/mechanic needs a boat payment. It is bordering on negligence telling you to drive this if you described this to them and they told you to drive it.

Get a 3 foot piece of garden hose, the same color as your car, or at least something that goes well (ok, thats humor) and put the hood up, start it cold, and point the hose end at the engine to track the noise.

Watch out for the end near the moving belts.

Possibles - wheel bearing noise or transmission noise - these usually don't go away on warm up though.

Your accelerator is electronic - you are feeling vibrations through the firewall with your noise.

Alternator bearing - not too serious
Power steering screech/bearing - also not too serious
AC compressor (try turning AC off) - can fix by turning off AC, usually

Idler pullery, Timing belt tensioner, water pump - see above. 2000 USD repair bill if this breaks while running

Marilyn99 · Post by **Marilyn99** » 16 Jul 2015, 11:53

Timing belt and water pump were done at 105K miles (it has 158K now) but I don't know about the tensioner. I'll have to enlist the aid of the young'un later this evening and see what we can hear once the car has cooled down.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jul 2015, 14:30

If the idler and tensioner weren't done the timing and mileage is perfect for their failure.

Sorry I wrote that last post in Basic....you are a Fortran programmer in Volvo terms...

Marilyn99 · Post by **Marilyn99** » 17 Jul 2015, 12:41

Well... it turned out to be the drive shaft so they're dropping it until I can figure out how to pay for the replacement. I need an AWD for the winter both because I have a nightmare driveway and because of the commute to work but I can make do with the 2WD for the next few months until I can sort it out. AND the noise will be gone! I wonder - does changing it to 2WD make the turning radius smaller? Something I've missed having an AWD vehicle.

dmcfan · Post by **dmcfan** » 17 Jul 2015, 13:05

I was just going to reply with insspect the front boot of the shaft as that is what caused my noise. Thanks to Lee on guiding me to that.

Went with the rebuild from Colorado Driveshaft. Fast service and turnaround.

Marilyn99 · Post by **Marilyn99** » 17 Jul 2015, 13:34

So how much should it cost to replace the drive shaft? It isn't something I can do myself. I know what the dealer quoted but would it be more economical to find another shop?

Post by **kahl** » 17 Jul 2015, 14:27

Call a place called Colorado Drive Shaft. The will send you a replacement for about $600.00. You will then send them your old shaft for a core refund of $100.00. Have your VIN ready to ensure you get the correct shaft. There is also a crossmember that the drive shaft carrier bearing is bolted, is your in good shape? That crossmember part number is 9474483. Cost is about $100.00.

Post by **abscate** » 17 Jul 2015, 14:58

Erie VoVo too..in Utica NY for a good used one.

Marilyn99 · Post by **Marilyn99** » 17 Jul 2015, 16:30

The drive shaft is in the back of my car wrapped in plastic. What on earth am I supposed to do with it???