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Marbles in a can sound from accessory drive area

A mid-size luxury crossover SUV, the Volvo XC90 made its debut in 2002 at the Detroit Motor Show. Recognized for its safety, practicality, and comfort, the XC90 is a popular vehicle around the world. The XC90 proved to be very popular, and very good for Volvo's sales numbers, since its introduction in model year 2003 (North America). P2 platform.
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wbp64
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Joined: 16 October 2019
Year and Model: 2008 XC90
Location: Texas

Marbles in a can sound from accessory drive area

Post by wbp64 »

2008 XC90 3.2 FWD 280,000 miles.
Sounds like marbles in a can or shaking a can of spray paint right when started until it is shut off. Using my mechanic scope it seems like it is coming from the AC Compressor, it blows cold air all day long.. If I release the belt tension and pin the tensioner then slide the belt off the READ pulley, start it up, the sound is gone. Was wondering if this could be the READ drive or pulley and removing the belt removed any load or more likely the AC compressor clutch bearing. I changed power steering pump in 2023, water pump in 2024 plus they each sound right as rain with the mechanics scope.

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volvolugnut
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Post by volvolugnut »

Rattling sounds can come from bad bearings (perhaps the idler) and from a pump cavitating from lack of fluid.
volvolugnut
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wbp64
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Joined: 16 October 2019
Year and Model: 2008 XC90
Location: Texas

Post by wbp64 »

Was in a rush earlier, (wow, way earlier) and after reading your reply I realized i forgot to provide probably some pretty useful info... The tensioner and idler have been changed within past 10 days. At that time I decoupled the power steering pump and the water pump so that I could spin each independently, although only by hand each spun smoothly. While doing this I also checked the read pulley to ensure it was one way only. The sound is definitely coming from either inside the AC compressor or the AC Compressor Clutch/Pulley bearing or the read pulley. I am leaning towards AC Compressor related only because when I slipped the accessory drive belt off the read pulley and started the engine the noise disappeared. i just don't know if bad that the read pulley would still rattle without load from the other accessories and the belt. It is an 2008 with over 280k miles and no matter what i have put it through it always started in the morning, although a few of those days it had to be towed home. Like me it's getting older, shorter of breath, and each day is one day closer to death i would like to get another 10k - 20k out of it, preferably without the rattle. Well that one anyway...

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volvolugnut
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Post by volvolugnut »

Check if any of the guards that you touched are now rubbing somewhere.
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.

dikidera
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Post by dikidera »

Try pouring water on the serpentine belt and see if the noise stops. I had the same issue on my S60 2.4

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volvolugnut
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Post by volvolugnut »

Check if any of the guards that you touched are now rubbing somewhere.
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.

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Post by abscate »

You can isolate noises down to the nearest cm using a piece of hose as a stethoscope. Practice on a few whirry things first
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