Hello all, I just got this a few months ago and have replaced the subframe, struts and mounts and intake hose. (previous owner BENT the frame)
Anyway, now that I've got it driving straight now, I think it's time to figure out this engine sound. There is also a belt squeal. I can't really describe it so here is a video I just made:
1996 Volvo 850 GLT Engine Noise Unhealthy - YouTube
It is a 1996 Volvo 850 (obviously) GLT 2.4L with 194k miles on it.

Any help would be appreciated. It starts and drives fine, it just sounds terrible.

Thanks for any input guys and gals!

 

Turn the darn thing off!!!! You are making things worse running it, hard to tell but could be a number of things, first thing that comes to mind is a spun bearing, but the noise is worse so I think a spun bearing could have led to something worse....... pull the head and plugs and have a look and post what you find and go from there.....

 

Sounds like you are not getting any oil in the head and the lobes and journals are grinding. Do you have an oil light? Does the oil light work?

 

 

Yes oil light works fine. When I bought it, she had just changed the oil on it. (the only thing the previous owner ever really did for it) I still haven't gotten it registered because I'd like to get all this squared away first. So it has spent most of it's time sitting around the yard, or in the garage at my mechanics house.

I see other people's stories where the ECU doesn't adjust until about 10 minutes. (I have yet to run it for more than 10 minutes :P)
Tomorrow before work, I will remove the serpentine belt and spin all the pulleys individually, and see about tracking down all my torx bits which have gone missing now that I need them. To me, it's a squeal, not a tick which spun bearings like to make. My engine has yet to sound like a diesel engine..(good news)
I'm really hoping I don't need to replace a bearing, because that will also lead me into an almost full rebuild. Being a cashier, and college student in 2 weeks, I won't be able to afford it unless I put off college and work more until I get the engine fixed. Here's hoping for just a pulley or timing belt?

 

I would pull the serpentine belt and start the car to see if the noise is still there. If not you know it's an issue with something there, if so you'll need to determine if it's on the front (timing related) or internal.

 

OK! So here is a video of the sound of the engine running without the serpentine belt. That loud whine is gone, but the underlying tick is still there. :/
Volvo 850 unhealthy engine sound Part 2 - YouTube

BTW thanks for the advice so far.