Does my car sound normal?
 

I have always noticed for as long as I have ridden in this car (since as long as I can remember), it has made this sort of whining sound. It seems that it makes this sound a bit more than other 850s do, though I notice that they all seem to do it to some degree, just mine more than others (I recently drove my uncle's 93 850 NA Auto and it made less whining). I don't think its the transmission because the car makes the exact same sound either in gear or in neutral and/or with the clutch in or out.

My mechanic recently told me I have a bad idler pulley (didn't ask which belt). Is that a likely culprit?

Also, do you guys notice any other possibly unusual sounds I should know about?

I'm really not worried about any of this, including the whine, because it seems harmless since it has done that for basically forever. Heck, my friends tell me it sounds cool, kind of like a super charger sound or something. I was just curious to get some opinions!

Thanks!

Sounds like my car does when the power steering fluid is low.

I second rspi, all I could hear was what sounds like low power steering fluid whine.

I'll try that. My car has a power steering pump that groans and like strains the engine a bit if I turn it all the way to the left or right. I suppose that also is a symptom.

Thanks!

Well, I just checked the level, and it was right on the money. The level was exactly on the cold line, which both the cap and the manual insist it must NEVER EVER EVER cross!;)

So IDK

That whirring sound still sounds like a power steering pump issue. My last volvo sounded like that.....I let it get low at one point and the sound never went away after that.

Mine leaks and it gets 10 times worse if I torque her hard from a dead stop into a turn like from a stop light. At that point it doesn't act right until I turn the car off and back on. Man, these cars are old, I'm just glad the thing still runs good. She can make all the noise she wants. :)

LOL within reason though......I have a very soft bumping noise coming from my right front strut that I want to look at before it gets worse.......

That's strange. Sometime I swear I hear the same thing, like if I'm driving on a dirt or rough road.

You could always give "mechanic in a can" a try.

Lucas is one of the better brands IMHO.

Thanks for the advice, but honestly at this point I don't feel like even buying that stuff is worth it.

My steering doesn't leak, it just seems that my 17 going on 18 year old pump whines a bit, even if its filled to exact factory specifications.

I have just decided to embrace the sound! lol

Sorry, wrong bottle.



Features & Benefits
Lucas power steering fluid with conditioners is formulated with the highest quality synthetic base oils and special Lucas additives to outperform all others, providing smooth, quiet operation while conditioning seals to prevent leaks.

• Improves steering response and feel
• Eliminates squealing
• Extends life of pumps, rack and pinion gears, seals, cylinders and valves
• Improves fluid shear stability
• Improves fluid oxidation to minimize sludge and varnish formation
• Cleans and smoothes internal springs and valves to help eliminate sticking

When was the last time you flushed out the power steering fluid? Could just be old stuff in there and not doing it's job anymore.

That would be best, change the fluid and add a bottle of conditioner.