I have a 1995 850 with about 155K on it. The other morning it started making a squealing noise but then went away. It sounds like its coming from either the Ac, power steering (checked fluid), or alternator but I can't think of a food way to figure out which one. I'm guessing its a bushing, but moving the belt tensioner by hand didn't make much difference in the squealing. The problem is that I'm traveling about 6 hours from home right now, and I usually bring my tool box, but forgot it this time. Any ideas how I can figure out which of these things it might be so I can decide if I can make the 6 hour drive home from Harrisburg Thursday?

Thanks,
Brian

 

It might be one of the timing belt pulleys. If you can take the belt off then start the car when it is cold if the noise is still there then they need to be changed pretty quickly.

 

I was noticing tonight that the noise does seems to get a little better after the car has been driven a while and is warmed up. What would the problem with the timing belt pulleys be? Warn where the cogs in the belt go thru or loose on the shafts?

 

Anybody know of any Volvo mechanics aside from the dealer in the Harrisburg PA area?

 

If your really unsure of what is causing the squeel then I wouldhonestly have it checked out as the squeel that I had heard last year turned out to be a water pump bearing which seized and snapped the timing belt causing catastrophic failure.

Get It Checked Out Soon!

Valves bent and marked pistons. Replacement engine required.

All of this just before Christmas.

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Dropped it off at Lehman Volvo here in Harrisburg this morning. The tech listened to it and said he had no idea what it was, but he was sure it wasnt the water pump, though it could be a belt tensioner. Told them I have a 6hr drive home (to Cleveland)on Friday and to make sure it would get me there. I'd rather fix whatever is wrong when I get it home - it possible.

 

As long as the mechanic is sure that it isnt the water pump, then thats cool.

When was the last timing belt change?

At 155K you should be about 10K or so past the the last due date for the change.

If you havent had one or if you arent sure of the last change I would consider getting it done because, as I said before - or maybe I didnt - I was due for a change and had a squeel that my mechanic wasnt sure of but a little more than 24hrs later and Im coasting to a stop and all I could do was laugh as I knew what happened.

And I knew that it was going to cost me alot.

A broken timing belt is a straw the most camels cant carry.

No one wants to be broke because their mover has them shaking their head and wondering if it is worth it.


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My bet is one of the timing belt pulleys.(Idler or tensioner)

 

I had the belt changed last when I first got the car 1.5 yrs ago, but I drive a LOT. This belt change was due at 155K, which is almost exactly what it has now! It turned out to be the timing belt idler pulley. It was just starting to sieze up, I have the old one and I can't turn it by hand.

I dropped it off at Lehman Volvo in Harrisburg and have to give them a big plug. I stopped by this morning at 7:30am, explained that I was from Cleveland and I needed my car to get home (6hr drive). They took it, called by noon with the problem and had it fixed by 3pm. I had them replace the idler and tensioner pulley, timing belt, serpentine belt, and they also found a bad engine mount by the timing belt. Total was $765, I guess thats not too bad for all they did,but it seems like it after doing all work myself.

 

Hello BriGuy,

Im really glad that you were able to get it looked at.

At $765 you, my friend, got a deal. Sweet.

If it had gone in the direction that mine had gone you would be in the $4K range. And as I mentoned earlier this happened just before Christmas so it was a lean one for me last year.

Im just wondering why you wouldnt have had the water pump changed while the work was being done?

Irregardless, Im glad you can make it home and I hope you have a great ride.

What am I saying???.

Your driving a Brick.

The ride is always good.

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I had a feeling thats what it was glad it is all fixed now.