Hi guys, maybe you'll be able to help me out here.

I currently drive a 2001 Volvo S40 with 120,000 miles on it. As I am driving in 1st or 2nd gear, or anywhere from 0-20 MPH I get this very interesting sound from the mid-to-rear portion of my engine.

It began one day as I as pulling out of a parking lot. As I pushed the gas lightly a shriek or aggressive tapping came from the engine bay. The problem only occurred when I was pushing the gas pedal initially to start moving, then it would fade away. However now the sound is very clear when I am in park, or idling (but only occasionally). The sound becomes more aggressive in the lower gears 1-2 then fades, and as I decrease in speed and begin to enter in the 2nd gear I can hear the sound coming back.

Now, my engine does have a slow leak in oil, at one point it did get below recommended. However I filled it back up, and the sound seems to have gotten worse. If I had to give a logical guess, the sound is coming somewhere near the belt, or pulley or near the turbo. Any thought?

Sorry for the lousy description.

David

 

I am not accusing you of anything, but have to ask..........
How did you know it got low? Did it start making noise and then you found low oil? How often is the oil changed? Sounds like an engine tear down is in the works.

 

The oil is changed around every 6k miles. I usually do my own oil changes however, I didn't have time the last change. I went over to Tire Kingdom and they changed it. First they didn't tighten the plug enough, and oil leaked quite a bit. I took it back for them to tighten it. When I went to check my oil level a few weeks later, the level was just under the notches.

The sound comes and goes now also...