960 Volvo 1996. Noise from the Timing Belt area

Volvo2009 · Post by **Volvo2009** » 15 Feb 2010, 17:59

When the engine cold, I hear screeching noise from this box. Timing belt has 20,000 more miles before needs replacement. What could be the problem. (I am experiencing minor power steering leak).

: 1996 Volvo 960 engine01.jpg (34.68 KiB) Viewed 1445 times

Post by **billofdurham** » 16 Feb 2010, 12:24

I doubt there is a connection between the screech and the power steering leak. The box you indicate is the timing gear/belt casing and something in there isn't happy. The front of the casing is held on by one bolt and can be easily removed to inspect the works.

Two items spring to mind for a close check:
1. The idler pulley which is on the right side looking at the engine from the front. It makes contact with the outside of the belt so is easy to find.
2. The tensioner which is at the bottom of the belt run and is cylindrical in shape. This is oil filled and any sign of oil on the outside indicates a leak. If it is leaking it needs to be changed ASAP.

Bill.

RCR · Post by **RCR** » 22 Feb 2010, 08:08

Sounds like a timing belt tensioner is going. If so it will kill the engine if it lets go REPLACE both tensioners and the belt ASAP!!

Volvo2009 · Post by **Volvo2009** » 23 Feb 2010, 13:00

RCR & billofdurham,
Thanks to both. You were exactly right. After listening to the engine with his probe, my mechanic pointed the exact symptom as you did. The noise was coming from the tension Ball Bearing. Since the timing belt had another 12K to go, I decided to change the it along with the failed part. All in all cost $460 (Silicon valley CA, rates) to get the job done.

Post by **billofdurham** » 23 Feb 2010, 15:36

Thank you for the update.

Bill.

njht2 · Post by **njht2** » 16 Dec 2013, 07:52

Hi I had this noise from the front of the engine with start from cold,I had the belt and belt tensioner changed recently but after a couple of weeks the noise came back.The garage found the idle/guide pulley was partially seized,the belt on start up was skidding around the pulley as the engine warmed up it turned and was quiet.Both the idler and tensioner should have been changed at the same time,

daveybeee · Post by **daveybeee** » 14 Jan 2014, 16:58

Keep in mind, when you do these timing belt jobs, always do both the tension bearing, the idler, and seriously think about the water pump as well.

Further more....Don't settle for cheap components...I use INA, whish is original equipment for Volvo. For the water pumps, I always use Aisin. Again original stuff.