Hey guys,

I'm having a problem with my Volvo S40 1.8i (2001). Theres a strange noise @ the engine and this is pretty annoying. There are recently parts replaced but this has not helped to solve this problem. The tensioner of the belt and the steering pomp have both been replaced 2 weeks ago. I've already ordered a new belt but i can't believe that this is the only problem.

Please view the whole video and listen carefully. Thnx for your help.

‪video 2011 07 23 12 45 09‬‏ - YouTube

 

I'd remove the serpentine belt and run the engine to see if the noise goes away.

If yes, then it's related to one of the components run by that belt.

If no, then I'd remove the plastic timing belt cover and look for something with the timing belt, either the tensioner or maybe CVVT if yours has that component.

 

Likely the Oil Trap which is a problem with this vehicle. The next thing you will likely get is the Check Engine Light which you will never be able to fix.

 

Ah, glass half empty?

 

Hey guys,

thnx for the information. I've removed the belt and the dynamo is damaged so this needs to be replaced. You are right about the check engine light that light is on for the first minute the car starts, are you sure that this is related with the oil trap? Whats wrong with it then?

 

Hey buddy, that's happened to me as well, with this S40 T5, meaning I had to replace the dynamo as well since I was told by a non-dealer Volvo master mechanic that it was the cause of a voltage drop I was experiencing with the car. Let me tell you, that about a week after I purchased this car, brand new, I left it in the garage for about a 4 days without driving it. It needed a jump start. Ever since then, I have had to replace the battery 5 times, with the last one being replaced with dynamo itself. No one can figure out why this happens.
Ok, back to the oil trap, this problem occurred first in 2007 with this vehicle when it was not known by Volvo that it was happening. So I took it to the dealer, and low and behold the car was out of warranty since I drive high miles to work, at any rate, $900.00 later, since they told me they needed to replace the oil and filter as well and do a service on the car along with the oil trap. I agreed foolishly. Ok, about 2 weeks ago, the check engine light came on, along with this noise coming from the right side of the engine. I thought it was the belt, but I took out the oil cap and it disappeared. Then I took out the oil dip stick and it disappeared. Sure enough it was the PCV Oil Trap.

The service bulletin on this is "Service Manager Bulletin 22-205, Published January 16, 2009." It extends the warranty on the PCV Oil Trap to 120K or 10 years from vehicle dates 2004 to 2008. So mine was out of warranty since it was over the mileage, hence I have to pay $347.00 to replace it.

Since I am on a roll, let me tell you what other issues I have had with this car.
1) The bolt for the wheel hub broke off since one of the guys in Pep boys tightened the wheel too tight when I had the tires replaced. $200.00 to replace that wheel hub. Guess what, that part was made by Ford.
2) The windshield washer sprayer injector underneath the hood, in the left side of the front of the car broke. What gives? $7.00 shipping and handling from Pelican parts.
3) There is now an Oil leak probably from one of the mechanics over tightening and stripping the oil lug.
4) Constant noise from the front wheel hubs, someone mentioned that this was a wheel bearing issue.
5) Noise from the front and rear brakes when braking, replaced the disc rotors with slotted high performance types and still the noise remains. This brake system was made by Ford by the way.
6) Randomly changing radio station, I have the Premium sound system.
7) Turbo lag.
8) By the way, I still have the check engine light coming on. I have a KN cold air Typhoon Filter placed on this for about 6 years now. The dealer mechanic said that this was the cause of the check engine light? That does not make sense, since it's been fine for 6 years, so he suggests I replace the stock intake back in the car. I checked the forums and some suggests that its the Mass Air Filter Sensor, so I am going to try that, and I'm going to replace the hoses. I don't really want to go to the trouble of replacing the stock intake. But if it takes that then I will...eventually.

Good luck with the car...planning on getting a Prius Plug in soon.
Good luck with this vehicle.

 

I have an apptmt for two days from now to get it replaced, but my mechanic (who is independent) said it was pretty serious and could do some real damage to the car. Thoughts?

 

Hey! Thats a big list of problems you've had there. I have a few problems that look the same like you. When i take a turn to the right i can hear a bumping noise, getting worse by the day. Its probably the drivetrain, these bolts want to come loose after a while. When i brake i can hear that same noise, a least it sounds the same, but at a much higher frequency. The car has 44.000KM (27.000 miles) on it and this is probably the cause of the dynamo to fail. Also the steering pump bearing has failed because of this. When i bought this car it was exactly 10 year old (10 and a half now). And at that time it had 19.000 (11.000 miles) on it. Cars do not like to stand still. I'm going to let my car's computer checked at a garage soon, you should do that too, the garage will get a code and hopefully it isn't too bad. It ain't my oil trap i think because there aint no weird noises at the engine anymore since i've replaced the dynamo. There aren't no leaks either.

The car drives like a beauty tho! Its a good looking car too. I'm going to 'pimp' the car a little bit too, 17 inch rims, tinted windows, black grille, 3CM lower at the springs and a little bit sportier exhaust (not too loud just a nice sound).

A little example with photoshop:

 

I've had 2 issues with bumping noises. The first was a broken anti-sway bar connector. First the passenger side broke then the drivers side. You could see the broken aluminum/rubber piece once you removed the front wheel. The Volvo dealer wanted $25 USD each.

The 2nd was the passenger side strut bearing and strut mount. Again, the car made a bumping noise whenever I hit a bump on the road. FCP Groton wants about $16.50 and $35 respectively.