Hi All,
My 2001 1.9T (170k km) has developed 3 worrying symptoms when starting up cold.

When the car is left outside (around 0 Celsius / 32 Fahrenheit), these two things occur:
1. Excessive vibration and resonance heard and felt from within the car (in park). It almost sounds like a bad exhaust from inside the car (rumbling) when in Park. This goes away in about 30seconds, but can still be felt when the engine is revved for a few minutes after startup. I have yet to lift the hood to listen better though no exhaust sound is hear when I opened the door.

2. For the first 3-4 minutes of driving/accelerating, an intermittent rubbing and almost knocking sound can be heard and felt from the front left end.

When the car starts up (even at warmer temperatures in my garage):
3. Vibrations which shake the car when the steering wheel is turned about 75% of the way left and going forward (symptoms 1 and 2 are only there at colder start-ups). No noise when turning right.


All symptoms go away after about 5 minutes of driving.

I did complain about #3 to my Volvo mechanic (1-2 did not manifest yet) and I had him check the cv joint. He said they were fine.

Maybe all these things are related? Bad engine mount? I do hear some knocking in the front left over bumps when when warm, but I always thought that was a suspension issue (mechanic ok'ed the suspension when I complained about 3).

Anyone know what this might be? (getting worried about these problems).

Thanks so much!

 

OK so I just brought it to my Volvo/Saab shop. They told me that the start-up noise when cold is probably due to my resonator going bad (it's rusted, but not perforated). It only happens when it's really cold and it last a minute or so. They said that's a sign of the resonator going bad.

They also told me that 3 of my engine mounts may need to be changed (not urgent).

In all about $1k CAN.

Does this diagnostic make sense?

 

The engine mount part makes sense. This is a problem with these cars. So much so that it is looked at as a regular maintenance item by Volvo mechanics. The right mount (timing belt side) is the one that usually goes bad first. You can tell if it's bad because the inside rubber of the mount lays on the white plastic limiter that prevents it from dropping further. If there is clearance space it is ok but if not replace it.

 

Thanks!
I had some doubts about the resonator part of the diagnosis because I really don't hear any noises from outside of the car. The sounds seem more mechanical.

For the Motor Mounts, does it make sense that the noises go away (or are very reduced) once the car is warm?

 

Udvozollek!
Only guessing that you are in CAN and not in EU so you have a CAT in the engine bay assuming your car is just like the US versions.Seeing that you say its a 1.9T I assumed its the same as the US one.The CAT in fact could go bad and could produce the noise you described and after it gets hot it could quite down as well.Def something to check out.The resonator is underneath the car about right on the middle I dont think you can hear that like its making noise in the engine bay.
Other than the engine mount there is another point you should check.I replace this part (1b) every year once as it bends and touches the center member (3) true I ride really low but it could happen on stock levels as well.Check under if this part has gap about a 1/4" of an inch from the center member or it touches it.If it does you have to replace it.It makes noises at cold start which kinda quiets down after a while.

 

Same thing happened to me on my 2000 S40. Bad vibrations beginning around 100K miles. Replaced the mounts, problem went away immediately. Timing belt side mount very easy to replace. Bottom 2 mounts near the underside crossmember are fairly easy to replace. Driver's side mount more difficult. I did the 3 easier mounts first, and the problem was resolved. Note also that the mileage on your 2001 is similar to what the mileage was on my 2000 when I needed to have the work done.

 

Szervusz!
Thanks all. Yes I am in Canada (born here, magyar parents) and I think the specs are the same as the USA. I had the CAT/Flex Pipe changed two years ago, so I think that's probably OK. The more I am "feeling" the noises, the more I think it's the mounts too. I feel odd some knocks over bumps too (suspension has been checked out many times - no issues). Does it makes sense that the mounts quiet down when the engine is warm (rubber less stiff?)

Is the CV joint out entirely? Would they make noise in neutral too? Some noise goes away when rolling in neutral.

Anyway, I'll post again hopefully when it's resolved.

Thanks again

 

I am going to replace my motor mounts as well. About a year ago, I suddenly heard a rattle/bump sound whenever I when over a bump. (Bad) The sway bar body mount on the driver's side had failed. They are two very different sounds, but if you are feeling the rattle over bumps an your feet. I would look at those too.

 

I have replaced all 4 motor mounts for a vibration at idle. Then I replaced the pax side sway bar mount when it failed causing a knocking sound over bumps. I had to replace the driver's side later because the failed pax side allowed the driver's side to bend upward (would have completely failed sooner or later).

Now I have the cold start rattle. It's not the same sewing machine sound that a leaking exhaust makes when the nut backs off the exhaust manifold (fixed with a double nut). It seems to be coming from the power steering pump which would explain why the rattle goes away after it warms up. Anyone else experience this?