V8 with funny start up sound

NorCal1985-245DL · Post by **NorCal1985-245DL** » 28 Aug 2020, 13:53

Hi,

I recently purchased a 07 xc90 v8. I’m not familiar with the vehicle yet and was wondering if this sounds normal with a cold start up or is it something to be concerned about? After the engine warms back up the sound goes away.

Thanks in advance,

David

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 31 Aug 2020, 22:23

It's definitely one of the pulleys. I recommend replacing the two idler pulleys ASAP. They are known for seizing up and ripping off the timing cover... and the repair is not cheap or easy. Idlers are around $50 a piece, whereas a new timing cover is $350, plus another $400 in gaskets and whatnot.
The tensioner may also be an issue, but that doesn't tend to lock up like the idlers do. You can also check all of the pulleys by removing the serpentine belt and feeling them for play. I bet the idlers both feel pretty nasty.

NorCal1985-245DL · Post by **NorCal1985-245DL** » 02 Sep 2020, 12:05

Thanks for responding. How do I get to the belt to remove it and check the pulleys? I can’t find any repair info on the web. Is it a simple to do or do I need a shop?

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 02 Sep 2020, 19:30

It's not too hard to remove with the right tools. Here is a great writeup. https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... eplacement

Post by **Roger_850T** » 04 Sep 2020, 18:23

I agree, the bearings on one of the pulleys is dry and probably likely to fail soon. Depending upon the exact failure, that can damage the timing cover (which they are bolted to,) and be quite an involved repair. Much better to replace them before they seize.

You could disassemble and figure out which pulley is squeaking and replace just that one, or you can replace the belt and everything it turns, and not need to tough it again for 100k miles. That would be two pulleys, the tensioner, and maybe the water pump, too. It's a fair bit of parts, but then it would be done.

Note on the tensioner - it's not cheap. Some people disassemble and replace just the bearing on the pulley, others do the whole thing. (I've just done the whole thing.)

Good luck!

Roger

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 04 Sep 2020, 22:34

Roger_850T wrote: ↑04 Sep 2020, 18:23 I agree, the bearings on one of the pulleys is dry and probably likely to fail soon. Depending upon the exact failure, that can damage the timing cover (which they are bolted to,) and be quite an involved repair. Much better to replace them before they seize.

You could disassemble and figure out which pulley is squeaking and replace just that one, or you can replace the belt and everything it turns, and not need to tough it again for 100k miles. That would be two pulleys, the tensioner, and maybe the water pump, too. It's a fair bit of parts, but then it would be done.

Note on the tensioner - it's not cheap. Some people disassemble and replace just the bearing on the pulley, others do the whole thing. (I've just done the whole thing.)

Good luck!

Roger

You can order the tensioner pulley separately? I didn't know that.

As of now, I think Tasca comes in cheapest on the tensioner at around $187.

Post by **Roger_850T** » 06 Sep 2020, 22:07

bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑04 Sep 2020, 22:34
You can order the tensioner pulley separately? I didn't know that.

As of now, I think Tasca comes in cheapest on the tensioner at around $187.

I've heard of some people going as far as to remove and replace the bearings from both the idlers and the tensioners. It really brings the cost down, if one has the tools to do it. (I do not. I wish I had a good press!)

I did look it up, and if I'm reading my notes correctly, the bearing (at least the idler) is SKF # 6203 2RS JEM. Aka Grainger 23Y203 at $14.15 each.

Let me know if you try that route, I want to know how it goes, and specifically how you get the old bearing out!

Roger

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 07 Sep 2020, 08:59

Roger_850T wrote: ↑06 Sep 2020, 22:07 I've heard of some people going as far as to remove and replace the bearings from both the idlers and the tensioners. It really brings the cost down, if one has the tools to do it. (I do not. I wish I had a good press!)

I did look it up, and if I'm reading my notes correctly, the bearing (at least the idler) is SKF # 6203 2RS JEM. Aka Grainger 23Y203 at $14.15 each.

Let me know if you try that route, I want to know how it goes, and specifically how you get the old bearing out!

Roger

Huh... interesting. I may look into that. If I do it, I'll certainly post a thread with the results!

NorCal1985-245DL · Post by **NorCal1985-245DL** » 10 Sep 2020, 21:54

I decided to take it to a volvo mechanic today and had the 2 idler pulleys, the belt tensioner and belt replaced. plus a software update. He said there was a small leak in the power steering pump but I decided not to replace it. In hind sight perhaps that was the source of the noise.

$1300 dollars later and I hope the noise is gone. I’ll find out tomorrow morning when I start it up.

Post by **ggleavitt** » 10 Sep 2020, 23:22

Sad part about the power steering pump, it's not going to stop seeping and you'll need to pull the belt (tensioner) again to replace. Can see photo for where it starts, drips out the front of the engine under the pump and makes a mess but eventually runs to the rear of the engine through the valley, confusing the source of the leak. One truth about the Volvo V8 in my opinion, sooner or later you'll replace the pump. Mine started seeping at 125k miles.