1994 940 turbo - strange sounds engine on passenger side

rob2volvos · Post by **rob2volvos** » 25 Nov 2018, 18:40

Car starts and drives slow normally, but above 20 mph there is a low growl sound from passenger side of engine. Engine slightly down on power. Also on stopping there is a faint metallic whine from same engine area. I diagnosed failed turbo. Replaced with nice refurbished unit but sounds persist. Could the issue be a failing head gasket? No signs of oil in coolant or vice versa. Car has 220k with orig hg. I am at point of turning to dealer for diagnosis - yikes. Any comments welcome.

Smar1991 · Post by **Smar1991** » 04 Dec 2018, 16:31

Have you tried isolating the issue by revving in neutral? If you have a friend rev it to 3 or 4 while you stand over it you should be able to hear whether its coming from the turbo or inside the block. I've had bad luck with bad turbo seals from brand new units before, so that would be my first guess. If you had a failing head gasket you'd have a whole host of over symptoms on your hand (milky/excess oil, brown coolant, etc)

rob2volvos · Post by **rob2volvos** » 04 Dec 2018, 16:41

Thanks Smar1991 -- That would have been an important step and would have revealed the issue. But as a one-man band I capitulated and had it diagnosed by a competent mechanic (who probably did exactly what you suggested).
The issue? -- failed transmission mount -- so you were on the right track. I'm still surprised that the resulting vibration manifested in the engine compartment for all the world like an engine problem. Again, appreciate your time responding in such a helpful way --
I ended up paid the guy $122 and getting my car back -- a great deal -- Rob

Smar1991 · Post by **Smar1991** » 04 Dec 2018, 16:48

Great to hear you got it resolved

rob2volvos · Post by **rob2volvos** » 04 Dec 2018, 16:57

Thanks! -- Until now I didn't have somewhere I could take the car that is a) competent and b) honest. This recent issue incident put me in contact with just such a mechanic (so another silver lining). The reason I STARTED doing my own car work was a huge diagnostic cock-up years ago on the 1994 940 by the dealer where the entire fuel system was replaced when the problem was ignition (and yes car failed 200 miles out of town) -- and would probably have been revealed following a question to a site like this. Sometimes there is no substitute for a decent mechanic. Trouble is they are very few and far between.