strange whine at idle
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strange whine at idle
Hi,
This is my first time posting here as this is the first problem I've had with my V50. I owned a 240 for 10+ yrs and did just about everything to it, now it's time to start figuring out my V50.
A rain storm came in a couple days ago and when I started up my car in the morning, a strange squealing came from, I think, under the hood. I figured it was just the belts having gotten wet or something and started driving to work. Just before I got to work I noticed that the Check Engine light came on. When I got to work a minute later I made sure all the fluid levels were OK, which they were.
After work, the rain had gone and everything was dry, but the squealing was still there. I stopped by a Kragen like store where the guys were nice enough to read the OBDII codes for me. The only one that was sprung was a "Engine Running lean at idle". I don't have the actual number on me, but that was what the computer read.
3 of us stood over the car with the engine running scratching our heads over the noise. It's very loud, very annoying, and similar to a belt squeal but more "harmonic". The guesses ranged from a bearing was going out (accessory or timing belt tensioner), belt squeal, to a never heard before vacuum line. There was a little dried oil from the cam cover (i think) that looked like it might have gotten into the timing belt cover, which lead to the timing belt tensioner being the main guess. After all the guesses, we cleared the code and I drove home with no more codes popping up and a continual squeal.
The next day I went the local store and noticed that the check engine light came back on. I've noticed that the squeal doesn't always start as soon as I start the engine, gets louder as the engine warms up, goes away when I pull away from a stop (under load), is there consistently while cruising and at idle. Does not change when heat or AC is blasted or the clutch is pushed in or out.
I did a search here and found a tech note about the drive shaft rubbing against the exhaust. But since my squealing happens even when I'm not moving, this probably isn't it. Here is a copy of the tech note I'm referring to:
DESCRIPTION: Under certain conditions when driving through puddles of water, slush and or snow, the underside of exhaust system may cool down fast enough causing the exhaust to change shape and touch the propeller shaft, causing a very high pitched squealing noise. This noise will be noticed by the driver for only a short time, once the exhaust temperature equalizes the noise will disappear. If the customer should have this complaint a tell tale mark will be left on the propeller shaft.
If you have any ideas for me, I'd love to hear them. Thanks in advance and here is the model of my car:
2005 V50 AWD T5 - standard tranny
mike
This is my first time posting here as this is the first problem I've had with my V50. I owned a 240 for 10+ yrs and did just about everything to it, now it's time to start figuring out my V50.
A rain storm came in a couple days ago and when I started up my car in the morning, a strange squealing came from, I think, under the hood. I figured it was just the belts having gotten wet or something and started driving to work. Just before I got to work I noticed that the Check Engine light came on. When I got to work a minute later I made sure all the fluid levels were OK, which they were.
After work, the rain had gone and everything was dry, but the squealing was still there. I stopped by a Kragen like store where the guys were nice enough to read the OBDII codes for me. The only one that was sprung was a "Engine Running lean at idle". I don't have the actual number on me, but that was what the computer read.
3 of us stood over the car with the engine running scratching our heads over the noise. It's very loud, very annoying, and similar to a belt squeal but more "harmonic". The guesses ranged from a bearing was going out (accessory or timing belt tensioner), belt squeal, to a never heard before vacuum line. There was a little dried oil from the cam cover (i think) that looked like it might have gotten into the timing belt cover, which lead to the timing belt tensioner being the main guess. After all the guesses, we cleared the code and I drove home with no more codes popping up and a continual squeal.
The next day I went the local store and noticed that the check engine light came back on. I've noticed that the squeal doesn't always start as soon as I start the engine, gets louder as the engine warms up, goes away when I pull away from a stop (under load), is there consistently while cruising and at idle. Does not change when heat or AC is blasted or the clutch is pushed in or out.
I did a search here and found a tech note about the drive shaft rubbing against the exhaust. But since my squealing happens even when I'm not moving, this probably isn't it. Here is a copy of the tech note I'm referring to:
DESCRIPTION: Under certain conditions when driving through puddles of water, slush and or snow, the underside of exhaust system may cool down fast enough causing the exhaust to change shape and touch the propeller shaft, causing a very high pitched squealing noise. This noise will be noticed by the driver for only a short time, once the exhaust temperature equalizes the noise will disappear. If the customer should have this complaint a tell tale mark will be left on the propeller shaft.
If you have any ideas for me, I'd love to hear them. Thanks in advance and here is the model of my car:
2005 V50 AWD T5 - standard tranny
mike
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 750
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From: MD
It is likely the PCV breather box. While the engine is running, open the oil fill cap. If the noise goes away then it is the PCV box. This is a known issue with the 2004.5+ S40/V50 and Volvo has extended the warranty for this item. You can also get the part from IPD.
http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-V50/Filt...-124-415-4271/
Stan
http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-V50/Filt...-124-415-4271/
Stan
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Yep, that was it. I let the car warm up until the sound started and then pulled the dipstick. The pressure in there was huge. Kind of scary, hope my seals are ok.
I have an apt at the dealership on Saturday. I could do it myself but since it's under warranty, might as well let someone else do it.
Thanks!
I have an apt at the dealership on Saturday. I could do it myself but since it's under warranty, might as well let someone else do it.
Thanks!
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 750
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From: MD
I had asked Volvo service about the pressure and if it would cause a problem with the seals. They said that it is ok for short term. I also asked about preventing pressure buildup by loosening the cap or dip-stick. They did NOT recommend doing this as it will likely blow oil out.
Stan
Stan
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interesting. That's good info to have. I'm now wondering if there is oil all over the side of my engine because I drove it to work this morning with the dipstick pulled out just enough to make the ringing go away.
On the drive to work I payed attention to see if I could smell oil burning but there was none, so I'd assume it's ok. I'll push the dipstick back in for the drive home... my poor seals.
On the drive to work I payed attention to see if I could smell oil burning but there was none, so I'd assume it's ok. I'll push the dipstick back in for the drive home... my poor seals.
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Quote===========
I think my car is doing the same thing (2006 V50)
Did the dealer fix the problem? Was it covered under your warranty? Did you have the normal warranty, or did you purchase an extended one?
================
Yep, the dealer fixed the problem and completely for free. I had a good experience there but I think I could have been taken by them had I not known what was going on. Here are the details:
I pulled the dipstick out a couple inches and the sound went away. I then drove the car around for a day or so with the dipstick slightly pulled out and occasionally checked to make sure no oil was coming out of the dipstick.
I called the dealership and made an 8am appointment so that they could set me up with a loaner car. When I arrived at the dlr, I told them it was the PVC valve and they said that my car was out of warrenty (it has 70k on it and warrenty expired at 50k). But, the PVC is known to have issues on this make and model and although there isn't a recall on the part, it is covered under extended warrenty.
They then told me that they need to do an inspection to verify what is wrong with the car and that inspection costs $190. If they find that the part does need replacing then they wave the inspection fee and the whole job is free. If the part is not the fault then I get charged $190 regardless of whether or not I opt for them to do the repair. (if the part were under recall, no inspection needed they just replace the part and so no gamble on the fee)
At the time I made it clear to them that understood the terms of the deal and that I have a great deal of auto repair experience and I am certain that the PVC is the issue, and that the $190 inspection fee was ok because I was confident the PVC was the issue. They then gave me a 2009 S80, free of charge to drive until the repair was complete.
I recieved a call that afternoon, informing me that the PVC was faulty that the inspection fee would be waived. In addition, they wanted to make me aware that there was some oil found on the outside of my engine, a few codes were thrown on the computer, I needed new tires, and that they wanted to replace a steering arm because a bushing was starting to show wear, which would then require an alignment to be done. oh, and I needed new windshield wipers. I responded by saying that the codes could have been thrown because of the crank case pressure being thrown by the PVC or me driving around with the dipstick pulled, the oil on the engine because of the PVC, and that I would wait on those because we just finished one repair and it would make sense to see if those issues went away. The tires, I wanted to shop around for (they only had one model instock for my car) and that it makes sense to do the bushing and alignment when the tires were done. In summary, just give me my car back.
I picked it up at 4pm, and dropped off the S80. All free of charge. That was over a week ago and no more codes have been thrown, no noise, and I don't there is anymore oil on the engine. So, in the end I think I won this round.
I think my car is doing the same thing (2006 V50)
Did the dealer fix the problem? Was it covered under your warranty? Did you have the normal warranty, or did you purchase an extended one?
================
Yep, the dealer fixed the problem and completely for free. I had a good experience there but I think I could have been taken by them had I not known what was going on. Here are the details:
I pulled the dipstick out a couple inches and the sound went away. I then drove the car around for a day or so with the dipstick slightly pulled out and occasionally checked to make sure no oil was coming out of the dipstick.
I called the dealership and made an 8am appointment so that they could set me up with a loaner car. When I arrived at the dlr, I told them it was the PVC valve and they said that my car was out of warrenty (it has 70k on it and warrenty expired at 50k). But, the PVC is known to have issues on this make and model and although there isn't a recall on the part, it is covered under extended warrenty.
They then told me that they need to do an inspection to verify what is wrong with the car and that inspection costs $190. If they find that the part does need replacing then they wave the inspection fee and the whole job is free. If the part is not the fault then I get charged $190 regardless of whether or not I opt for them to do the repair. (if the part were under recall, no inspection needed they just replace the part and so no gamble on the fee)
At the time I made it clear to them that understood the terms of the deal and that I have a great deal of auto repair experience and I am certain that the PVC is the issue, and that the $190 inspection fee was ok because I was confident the PVC was the issue. They then gave me a 2009 S80, free of charge to drive until the repair was complete.
I recieved a call that afternoon, informing me that the PVC was faulty that the inspection fee would be waived. In addition, they wanted to make me aware that there was some oil found on the outside of my engine, a few codes were thrown on the computer, I needed new tires, and that they wanted to replace a steering arm because a bushing was starting to show wear, which would then require an alignment to be done. oh, and I needed new windshield wipers. I responded by saying that the codes could have been thrown because of the crank case pressure being thrown by the PVC or me driving around with the dipstick pulled, the oil on the engine because of the PVC, and that I would wait on those because we just finished one repair and it would make sense to see if those issues went away. The tires, I wanted to shop around for (they only had one model instock for my car) and that it makes sense to do the bushing and alignment when the tires were done. In summary, just give me my car back.
I picked it up at 4pm, and dropped off the S80. All free of charge. That was over a week ago and no more codes have been thrown, no noise, and I don't there is anymore oil on the engine. So, in the end I think I won this round.
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Same issue here
I have same problem with my 2006 V50, What is wrong with this people? First electrical problems, then A/C then rear bearing and now this. Car is only 60K miles.
Taking it to the dealer tomorrow.
Thanks for all the information, it saves me a lot of time.
Taking it to the dealer tomorrow.
Thanks for all the information, it saves me a lot of time.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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I got mine fixed!
Good news. I got the problem fixed. I called Volvo Customer Car Center (1-800-458-1552) and told them to problem (PCV and oil trap replacement). My car is a 2006 with 70k on it. I gave them my VIN and they told me that this was covered under the normal warranty.
I am stationed in Germany, so I had to take it to a German dealer. After I sent my reciepts to Volvo USA, they cut me a check to cover the cost of repair.
I am stationed in Germany, so I had to take it to a German dealer. After I sent my reciepts to Volvo USA, they cut me a check to cover the cost of repair.
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Breather Box & Oil Trap the same thing?
I have the same problem. I removed the dipstick and the whine went away. I asked the mechanic at my high school (I'm a teacher) about me fixing the problem and he gave me printed out directions. Only thing is the directions are for replacing the oil trap. Does anyone know if these are the same thing or did he give me the wrong directions?
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I'm not sure if they are the same or not, but I think so. The PVC is also known as the flame trap and it traps the oil so I would think that it would be the same as the oil trap.
Regardless, here is a page to IPD for the parts you need. It includes an exploded diagram of the assembly and should be enough to figure out how to change it. At very least maybe you can look at the IPD diagram and your instructions and see if they are talking about the same part.
http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-V50/Engi...-124-409-4271/
If I were you I'd just take it to the dealer. It's free for the dealer to replace it and over $100 if you do it yourself. If you're eager to start figuring out your car and work on it then... i'd still take it to the dealer and spend $100 on something else. Like a k&n air filter, cabin air filter, cargo mat, racks...
Regardless, here is a page to IPD for the parts you need. It includes an exploded diagram of the assembly and should be enough to figure out how to change it. At very least maybe you can look at the IPD diagram and your instructions and see if they are talking about the same part.
http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-V50/Engi...-124-409-4271/
If I were you I'd just take it to the dealer. It's free for the dealer to replace it and over $100 if you do it yourself. If you're eager to start figuring out your car and work on it then... i'd still take it to the dealer and spend $100 on something else. Like a k&n air filter, cabin air filter, cargo mat, racks...
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