Just got a lovely 2007 S60 2.5T with 56,000 miles. Everything works great, but I noticed when I am driving along there's a humming sound that reminds me of "tire-hum" that you hear from 4x4's with big tires. I first thought it might be the tires, but it only happens when my foot is on the gas. Is this just how S60 engines sound, or is there something that needs to be checked-out?

Also -- I know these cars are low, but what is the standard clearance for the front end? I tried driving mine up on ramps so I could drain the transmission fluid and the front bumper/skirt hit the ramp before the tires, making using the ramps impossible. Is this height normal, or should I have the suspension checked?

Thanks.

 

The car is a turbo car.. is it the turbo?

 

It is a turbo, but wouldn't the sound continue even if the car wasn't accelerating?

As an update, a mechanic swore up and down to me that it "had" to be the bearings, so we changed them -- the sound is still there! I plan on taking it to a Volvo specialist to see if they can sort it out -- or maybe I should just buy a Japanese car and forget about the quirky issues that this car keeps manifesting . . .

 

No...if the car isn't accelerating then the turbo isn't spooling. It's still turning but not at the rapid pace it does when the pedal is down and exhaust is flowing through it rapidly forcing it to spin at several thousand RPM's.

 

I doubt it's the turbo -- it only occurs when the car is in gear. While in neutral, I can rev the engine all I want and I don't get the sound. It must have something to do with the drivetrain.

 

while the car is standing still or in N the turbo is not creating power so the spool is less. Take the cover off the Air box and rev the RPMS up to 3500+ and see if the sound is there. It could also be a wheel bearing. This will start with a Humm then get louder as it fails. Can you while driving the car hear where the sound is coming from tire wise?? Front,Rear,Passenger,drivers side??

 

I'll take the cover off the airbox tonight and see if I notice anything. Noise seems to come from the front drivers-side wheel, I can almost "feel" it from that area. Not the front bearings at any rate because they have both been changed with no effect.

 

Hub bearing/assembly dude. Im not sure if you can just get the bearings or if you have to get the whole assembly. As for the ramps, what height are they? just typical from an auto store? you should be able to use them

 

Nope, changed the bearings and the sound persists. Standard ramps don't work, at least with my S60 -- ended up using jackstands.

 

hmmm, inspect axel boots for tears? not sure really sorry