V70 D5 2002 - horrible noise from belt/one of the pulleys on tick over. Sounds like a badly rumbling bearing with occasional ticking noise. On tick over the tensioner is vibrating and the forward long vertical run on the belt oscillates by half an inch (ie. it appears loose). When the AC compressor kicks in or the alternator is loaded eg. by turning on heated screen, seats etc., the belt flaps about even more. If the engine revs are increased even slightly, the belt tightensand the noise seems to disappear. The belt is tight when the engine is off.

My garage replaced the tensioner and belt but it made no difference to the noise. They suggested it may be the compressor but that's an expensive job if it is then found to be say the alternator. The timing belt and its tensioner was replaced a few weeks back (at 82000 miles - in line with forum comments it was indeed cracking).

 

Either the wrong belt was installed or the routing was incorrect. Ticking may be just the hydraulic valve lifters, if it disappears after the engine warms up.

Did the shop replace parts with OEM? If not, you may experience some problems sooner or later. Did the shop replace BOTH the tensioner pulley and the hydraulic tensioner? The hydro tensioner is a small cylinder that exerts enormous force.

Did the shop replace any of the idler pulleys? A retiring pulleys can be observed by traces of leaked out grease, or if you can remove them, they will spin with noise.

When servicing your Volvo, try go with OEM parts as much as you can. They cost 20% or more than other aftermarket brands but the additional costs are very well worth it. This is generally true on any makes.


JPN

 

Is it possible to replace just the pulley on the serpentine belt tensioner? Or is it better to replace the whole thing?

Thanks

 

Replace the entire tensioner and report back.

 

This issue has been bothering me for months on my 2002 XC70 D5 wagon, 308 000 kms.

First time, changed the alternator pulley (it has a freewheel). Cured for a while.

Then the noise started again - took it to a Vovlo dealer and they changed the tensioner pulley assembly. No result.

Took it to a good local mechanic who recommended changing the tensioner pulley assembly again (the Volvo replacement had already developed a lot of slack), the alternator pulley, whose freewheel had seized, the idler pulley, and the damper pulley which is on the nose of the crankshaft and drives the whole lot.

While it was in the workshop, he also changed the timing belt, its idler pulley, and the cooling pump.

He checked the alternator, steering pump and aircon compressor bearings : All ok.

Once done : No change ! The problem was still there.

The mechanic suggested having the aircon circuit recharged and lubed.

Done - and still no cure !

On another forum, a member with the same problem had changed (for a different reason) the upper and lower engine stabiliser mounts, and noticed that his problem had disappeared.

So, I did the same, since the rubber bushes on the mountings were indeed shot - but no luck !

The vibrations are destructive and clearly starting to destroy the tensioner assembly and probably the alternator freewheel pulley once again.

Any ideas ? I'm getting desperate and can't even sell the car in that state (except for scrap).

 

I've never replaced a serpentine belt tensioner on a Volvo aluminum engine in 20 years of selling these cars. I have replaced a dozen or so idler wheels on the tensioner that eliminated the belt noise. They are about $13 and are supplied by Gates.

 

Yes, well thanks for your reply Tony, maybe you have been lucky, but I'm on my third tensioner assembly (that includes, the base with spring, pulley and also the idler pulley). Not to mention the belt itsef, that has been changed each time.

Any constructive advice would be appreciated, thanks !

 

I gotta tell you that you have not yet properly diagnosed the noise. Start the car with the serpentine belt off. If the noise is related to the drive belt system, all will be quiet. If not, you have other issues.

 

This was done at two occasions,once by Volvo and once by my local garage. Noise disappears without the belt. It also disappears above idling speed (at about 1000rpm and above).

Any other ideas ?

 

I reread this entire post. I want to go back to post #2. Are you absolutely sure that the belt routing is correct? In the US, Volvo changed the belt routing some time ago and I've seen people put them on wrong. Here is the correct belt routing for a V70 5-cylinder gas engine in the US:

https://www.google.com/search?q=volv...NN9f2C3wUZBXM:

In your description you say that yours is a "D5" so I'm assuming that you are not US based and that is a diesel model?

 

• Quote:

  Originally Posted by Goodyear1

  V70 D5 2002 - horrible noise from belt/one of the pulleys on tick over. Sounds like a badly rumbling bearing with occasional ticking noise. On tick over the tensioner is vibrating and the forward long vertical run on the belt oscillates by half an inch (ie. it appears loose). When the AC compressor kicks in or the alternator is loaded eg. by turning on heated screen, seats etc., the belt flaps about even more. If the engine revs are increased even slightly, the belt tightensand the noise seems to disappear. The belt is tight when the engine is off.

 

Well ...i had the same problem and it's taken me forever to find the issue and fix it .
It is the tensioner on the auxillary belt .
ireplaced it with a non genuine originally and the problem was still there ....so....long story short i replaced that with a genuine kit including belt from ebay for £75 ..had it fitted and problem solved ...soooooo relieved it's finally fixed ....

 

did you ever fix this issue? Cheers