My Volvo recently started making a noise when accelerating. It is loudest when I am accelerating from a complete stop but it is consistently there any time I accelerate. I'm worried it may be the transmission but I don't really know enough to be sure. I tried to capture it on video but it is hard to hear. Seems to be coming from the passenger side more but I could be wrong. Any guidance as to what it could be would be appreciated. I know it's not the same as actually looking at the car. Hopefully the link below works:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F6N...ew?usp=sharing

In general, my engine seems to be louder. I tried to take a video of that as well but I don't think this video link is working:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FHJ...ew?usp=sharing

Thanks so much for any help,
Katie

 

Vids are working, the first one doesn't have much sound to suspect anything. The second one however, that can't be good and should be checked out right away. I take it that was recorded with the car in park or neutral? Were you able to hear a source - ie top of the engine, bottom of the engine? sounds like something is hitting/rubbing on a rotating component. Any recent events prior? Wonder if its the starter motor's gear not retracting back fully and its hitting the teeth on the flywheel... what happens if you try starting and stoppping and restarting a few times in a row?

 

It seems like it's coming from the bottom but it's hard to be sure. I had my fiance accelerate while the hood was open and you can hear the noise, especially towards the end of the video. It's almost like a high pitched sound. I am going to flush the transmission this weekend but I don't know if that is even related to the issue. I'm going to call my mechanic and try to bring it by after work one day next week. The car has about 220k - I'm worried the engine or transmission may just be failing.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FRG...ew?usp=sharing

Do you mean starting the car and turning it off a few times in a row? I could try that and see what happens.

Thanks for your response!

 

yes - my thinking is, the starter has a gear that is extended out to engage the flywheel to the starter motor when you turn the key to position 3. Its supposed to retract when you release the key to decouple the engine from the motor. My suggested test is to see if by repeating the engage/disengage it may eventually walk itself back out of the way (unless a spring is broken which would require the starter to be replaced).

 

I did try starting and stopping the car several times to see if there was any sort of difference. No problems starting but the noise stayed the same with no change. Someone else said that it may be the power steering and to try turning the wheel. I did: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gl7...ew?usp=sharing

There is a noise change but the power steering level is fine (maybe a bit over full) and is a fairly bright red as it should be. I also don't hear much of a difference when I am driving and turning; I hear a difference depending on how much I am accelerating.

If I had the starter tested, would it rule out a broken spring? Or would it still be getting the same voltage regardless?