2002 V40 Metallic rattling noise from engine when cold

sstoynov · Post by **sstoynov** » 27 Feb 2013, 14:08

I am having a weird rattling sound coming from the passenger side of the engine - where the timing belt is. It happens only when the engine is cold and disappears almost completely when it warms up.
It is noticeable at idle and low RPMs (it gets louder when I pump slightly the acceleration pedal). I tried removing the accessory belt - the noise is still there, so it is not the AC, alternator or power steering. Also I replaced the timing belt and all it's components, EXCEPT the water pump recently (~20k miles ago). The car has ~125k miles currently.
That rattling started recently - maybe in the last 5-6k miles.
It sounds like there is something is loose and rattles - metal rattling sound. It is difficult to say where it is coming from, but my guess is from the crankshaft pulley area.
Also I recently removed the Timing belt cover to inspect the TB tensioner and the idle pulley for vibrations, but they were fine. Any idea? I believe it is getting louder and louder in the the last few months. I am out of ideas already. Thanks for any help.

Post by **rmmagow** » 27 Feb 2013, 14:14

If you can run your engine with the timing belt cover off, do so and observe the timing belt tensioner to see if it it shaking around. Barring that, check any and all heat shields associated with the exhaust system. Try to wiggle the crankshaft pulley too, maybe it came loose. You should be able to see that shake too.

sstoynov · Post by **sstoynov** » 27 Feb 2013, 15:02

I did that - nothing abnormal - the TB tensioner is not vibrating. Tried to check the crankshaft pulley for any play but since it is under tension from the timing belt - I don;t notice any. And when engine is running - no play in the crankshaft pulley.

sstoynov · Post by **sstoynov** » 13 May 2013, 14:14

Some update: I still have this sound on my Volvo, and I was able to record it:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/748 ... _sound.mp3

At some point I started thinking if this could be the water pump? As far as I know if there is a noise from the water pump, it would be constant and would not change when the engine warms up, and it wont be rattling.
Again, I removed the accessory belt (no alternator, PS pump, AC compressor involved), and the sound was still there.

Hope anyone has an idea what could that be.

Smithandbacon · Post by **Smithandbacon** » 17 Jun 2013, 08:39

I'm wondering if I have the same car. I have possibly the exact problem. Have you figured it out yet?

shanegtr · Post by **shanegtr** » 18 Jun 2013, 06:40

I've seen on a couple of other volvo forums mentioning the VVT can get noisey? If yours has VVT I think I recall the guys unpluging them to check if the noise goes or not.

sstoynov · Post by **sstoynov** » 28 Jun 2013, 15:59

Not resolved yet. I tried unplugging the VVT wire connector, but no change.

IgorA · Post by **IgorA** » 09 Jul 2013, 14:05

My user's manual says the noise comes from automatic valve clearance adjustment gear which uses oil pressure. So up on starting the engine the noise will last several seconds until oil gets every part of engine. In some cases this will last about 15 seconds (as I remember).

LT South Africa · Post by **LT South Africa** » 25 Jun 2016, 06:13

I have a similar noise. What i have noted is that the tensioner pulley does shake around with the motor spinning.