So I sort of inherited a 1988 740 gle volvo from my older brother who doesnt drive it anymore.

Some of the inside could be in better condition but I am not to concerned about that. What I am concerned about is the noise that the car makes when the clutch is not pushed in. The noise is sort of like a wawawawa sound that is much more audible inside the car than out. When you push the clutch in the noise slows and then stops after about two seconds. The faster you go when driving the faster the wawa noise gets so I am thinking it might be the clutch fan. Would that make a noise like that? Any other thoughts are welcome?

 

What you are describing sounds like the throw out bearing which is part of the clutch. If everything is working ok then I would just get used to the noise. The part you are thinking about is the fan clutch which regulates the engine fan speed as the engine warms up and cools.

 

perhaps try to put your Volvo on jack-stands and put it in drive...btw, auto or manual?... or rev the engive listen for the sound then.

 

It took me 45 minutes to pull my parents trans to change clutch. It is one of the easier ones. You have to turn the trans 90 degrees for clearance once the bolts are out. I agree it sounds like throwout bearing.