Started to notice an unusual sound develope this weekend.

Sound is best described as a binding, rubbing or laboring sound from the front underside of the car. Seems to be rythmic with fluctuation in speed.

Sound is most noticable while "coasting" at slower speeds (approaching a turn). I have attempted to isolate the sound to a specific part, unsuccessfully.

Most noteable however, when on the gas (car under load) the noise seems to go away. Also, if I brake (medium power or greater) the noise also seems to go away.

I have put the car in nuetral while coasting with no change (sound still present)

I have jacked up front end and checked for bad wheel bearing, no play in either wheel. How to check\inspect the CV???
Any other places of interest to inspect???

I have a slight warped rotor on front left, but think I have been able to rule this out as the souce.

 

Additionally, I had changed the power steering fluid and when removing the hose leading to the pump it leaked fluid down on the accessories belt and alternator. While nothing seems alarming (unusual sound) while at idle or reving the motor in park, could the power steering fluid have effected the alternator causing the noise????

 

I'd guess no since your description sounds like it's related to speed not engine rpm.

I'm thinking CV shaft making noise although every time I've had one go bad it made a clicking noise when turning.

It could also be bad motor mounts causing the CV shaft to change it's angle between the trans and wheel bearing causing noise. When my motor mounts went bad you could feel the engine vibrate through the steering wheel.

 

Still trying to isolate cause, getting worse to the point where it shouldnt be driven.

It is a defenite rubbing\wear sound anytime I am not under load or accelerating. ***If I give it gas or get on the brake the noise seems to subside. ***If I coast slowly it will start to produce a clunking sound. (Noise seems to be coming from the center of the car as opposed to either wheel side)

I jacked the front of the vehicle up, checked for bad wheel bearings. No noticable play in the wheel. Possible CV joint??? Should the wheels be able to be rotated while the car is in park? They were, as well as had some back and fourth play. Not sure what is normal and what is not! Saw a shaft riding through a carrier bearing to the RF wheel, bearing seemed fine but hard to pin point the cause of the noise.

Any thoughts???

 

My S40i (@67K)is doing a similar thing, like bubbling, or popcorn popping inside a tube or odd growling independent of RPM, speed, A/C or anything else. It developed slowly over a month or so. Hopefully engine mounts solve it-they're in bad shape. Will update.

 

I just started developing the same noise (whining noise while idle or low speeds, gone when accelerating or at high speeds).

I checked out the other threads on this forum and found this one, related to PCV valve. https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...e-issue-41465/

Do you think it's the same issue as the ones stated here?

 

I just called my local stealership and told them about the noise problems and the PCV valve replacement as a possible solution. He talked to his manager and they don't think it's the PCV valve but rather suspect it's the breather lock. Of course, this is all discussed over the phone. Plus, I'm a newbie so I can't say who is right.

I've made an appointment to have someone look at it for a quote tomorrow. Stay tuned for details.

If anyone has any other input, would love to hear it.

 

You guys have different issues. The clogged PCV will produce a whistle or similar that will go away when you pull the oil dipstick out. The other issues were noises while moving which seem to be related to the car's speed, not RPM. Guesses include CV axle, motor mounts (4 of them total), rotors, and wheel bearings. All the standard tests apply to suspension parts.

 

Sounds like a bad unit bearing in the front end.I have the same noise and believe the bearing is failing.Have your mechanis look at it.

 

I've experienced a bad wheel bearing as a "growling" noise that got louder over time.

Bad CV joints as a clicking noise, especially when turning. (I've read of vibration too but not experienced this)

Bad motor mounts the car will noticeably shake at idle, in gear, with the brakes applied.