Hi,

I have a 04 S60 2.5T with about 65K miles. Did the following at ~55K. New OE plugs, new K&N drop in filter, transmission fluid change. Installed IPD HC TC valve. New IPD turbo house kit at ~ 62K.

Here's my problem. For about that last 5k to 7K miles, I am getting an occasional howling/Whistling sound starting at around 60 mph. The sound is more like the sound of blowing across the top of a bottle. It does not always happen and is difficult to recreate. Most common conditions I notice when it happens are ~60 mph, slight up hill, light throttle or slight off throttle. I can feel it reverberate through the gas pedal. Once it starts I can accelerate and it will get louder, as soon as I lift it will go away and will only last for about a min or 2.

More recently I have noticed when I am making a moderate-hard left hand turn, with moderate acceleration, I am getting what sounds like the beginnings of the sound, but it stops once the wheels are straight.

Idling and revving does not recreate.

Sorry for the long post, just don't know where to go. I have read many threads on bearings and also read some about the oil trap, but I can't create under the conditions noted in those threads.

Any thoughts out there?

Thanks,

Mike

 

Did you ever get this resolved? I'm having the same issue with my '03 AWD S60 2.5T (106k)

P.S. Your description... "...sound of blowing across the top of a bottle." was spot on! That's exactly what it sounds like. Does (or did) your volume level vary any?

Thanks in advance!!

 

Sounds a lot like the issue on mine as well. 2002 S60 2.4 non turbo, automatic. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

i heard something about the side mirrors making noise in the older models, not sure about the newer ones (03-up) i think they redesigned it for 03

 

Howling and whistling while driving down the highway............sounds like you're having a good time!

Not sure what it could be but perhaps try narrowing it down with some painters tape. Meaning, tape off a section at a time, i.e. mirrors, then fairing, then radiator intake (ok, don't do this one for long clearly, but give it a run to isolate the issue) then door frames etc.........

 

Hey All,

Yeah after much digging, I found a post that suggested it might be low PS fluid. I did some troubleshooting; from a full stop, crank the wheel all the over to one side, then accelerate. Also, try turning quickly (when it's safe) from a slow speed. Turned out to be low, and the above would replicate the sound. Check the ps fluid level, it may not be plainly obvious as mine was at the bottom of the line, but it was just enough to be low. My guess is at highway speeds the pump is spinning fast enough to cause cavitation at low fluid levels, thus creating the howl. At lower speeds in a hard turn, the fluid is being pumped quickly to one side or the other, also result in cavitation, and thus howling.

Anyway, hope this solves your problem, Good Luck!

Mike

 

Racer_S & that_guy:
That's a good thought, but I don't think it's my side mirrors or any loose panels because it's made that noise at really low speeds before. Like when I back out of a parking space.

So I have a feeling low PS fluid is the issue. Seems to make the most sense for what I'm experiencing.
--I will check it out and let you know if the howling stops. Thanks Mike!!

 

My 2003 s60 2.4t makes a similar sound, but I have found that stepping on the break or heavy acceleration stops the noise.

In my case, it sounds like a steady gust of wind but is absolutely inside the car, not the mirrors or anything external. I will check the PS fluid when I get a chance.