Hello,
I am a first time Volvo owner as of 1:30 today. I bought a 1996 850 w/ 84,000 original miles form the Volvo dealer in town. The car was traded in by the original owner for another and has all the manuals, paper work, and some maintenance records.
The dealer serviced the transmission, new brakes front and rear, new motor mount, and some other things I can't recall right now.
My question is when I test drove the car the windows were up and did not notice the squeaking noise I hear when the windows are down. The noise/squeak increases as the car accelerates and slows when the car does the same. It sounds like it is coming from the passenger front side of the car.
Any input would be highly welcomed, and thanks in advance.
Paul

 

Serpentine belt squealing?

Nice find BTW. Ck to see if the timing belt has been changed; if not, do it asap.

 

How do I check the timing belt if I can not find it was done in the maintenance records that I have?
Thanks for the quick reply by the way!

 

They would have put a sticker on the end of the engine. (on the timing belt cover)

 

Thanks!

 

I believe now that the squeak is coming from the brakes. I have driven the car for about 50 miles, and I think that I have traced the sound to the brakes.
The only thing that does not make sense is the brakes were just done at the dealership before I bought the car?????

 

The squeal is probably resonance from the brakes. There is a coating that can be applied to the back of the pads to stop the squeeking. If the brakes were not changed some manufacturers do have a wear indicator on them. When the pads get low and ready to be changes the indicator (metal flange) will rub on the rotors (disc) and cause a squeal. When you apply the brakes it will stop.