Low oil and engine noise

ranger481vs · Post by **ranger481vs** » 21 Dec 2018, 09:57

My wife 's '07 XC is making some funny engine noises. This morning it made some funny noises, first time she heard it. So, I checked her oil, and it was near completely out. It doesn't make this noise consistently from what I could tell, seems mainly at start-up, then she heard it again at a stoplight. Wondering if anyone has an idea of what is going on. See youtube link below for video showing the noise.

NOTE: I did add oil, and plan to do an oil change before driving it again, but not planning to drive it at all now.

I need to decide if this is even worth being looked at if the culprit was low oil. It has about 170k mileage, and I'm not sure we'll want to pay fo a multi-thousand engine repair, if that's most likely what the noise is. Concerned that it will eventually sieze up if we keep driving it.

Post by **oragex** » 21 Dec 2018, 11:03

How long have you have it? If the PCV (see Youtube) is clogged it will drink oil.

Does it run on synthetic or mineral ?

For that noise, maybe inspect the power steering pump fluid (should be green-ish) and level, and the pulleys on the serpentine belt. Was the timing belt replaced ? If it was replaced by a previous owner by random parts, I would inspect the water pump asap.

ranger481vs · Post by **ranger481vs** » 21 Dec 2018, 11:38

Thank you for your response, We've only had it for couple of years. Based on what I read online, it appears to have a timing chain. It's a 3.2 engine and we run high mileage Mobil 1 oil.

Post by **oragex** » 21 Dec 2018, 12:25

Was the car using mineral oil before switching to the High mileage oil ?

For the noise, I'm not sure but maybe read this (again, not saying the R.E.A.D will make your noise) https://www.scottsautomotivemd.com/volv ... ory-drive/

And also listen to the pulleys on the serpentine belt (may do this but with extra care www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVWY2fMzrpc )

ranger481vs · Post by **ranger481vs** » 22 Dec 2018, 08:06

UPDATE: This morning, I started the car, did not hear the noise anymore. However, we backed it out of the garage, and then put it into drive to go forward and it wouldn't move.

Post by **SuperHerman** » 22 Dec 2018, 12:44

Check your fluids. Do an oil change on the engine, even if you just reuse the oil filter (to save costs) change it. Where is the oil going?

What is the state of your transmission oil? Sounds like your transmission oil is either low or well past needing a change. May be too late, but at least you can look.

ranger481vs · Post by **ranger481vs** » 24 Dec 2018, 11:25

It looks like I may need a professional to look at the transmission oil. I don't appear to have a dipstick to check transmission fluids, so not sure I have a way to check whether it's low or not. Is there a way to do this that isn't terribly difficult?

Post by **abscate** » 29 Dec 2018, 09:52

Ill describe this as an intermittent seal bellowing...interesting

It could be low oil in the transmission - it doesn't sound like an expensive engine noise - almost more like a vacuum leak/whistle? I do concur that checking the working pulleys like PS and alternator is worth a shot.

ranger481vs · Post by **ranger481vs** » 02 Jan 2019, 08:17

Thank you all for replying. One thing that is definitely an issue, is the alternator is not charging the battery. So, will probably need the alternator replaced. I wonder if that could be preventing the transmission from doing what it needs to do.

I am getting this issue looked at by a shop. Will post what I find out in case it helps anyone in the future.

ranger481vs · Post by **ranger481vs** » 11 Jan 2019, 15:55

UPDATE: It appears the noise heard in the video was related to my alternator pulley (as abscate noted as a possibility) that needed replacing. With the alternator not working properly, the battery wouldn't charge, and it throws the whole system out of wack. No transmission issues, luckily, and a relatively minor repair. Transmission was readapted after new pulley install, and car runs smoothly now.