While surfing other Volvo boards I came upon an S40 owner with the same loud "Crack/Cracking" noise. It comes from the engine compartment/firewall area. It started when the real cold temperature set in! The sound happens from a dead stop.....press the gas pedal/car starts to move and "CRACK"! Sort of a plastic sound but loud...and its the same sound all the time! It lasts until the engine/engine compartment warms up, then if you press on the gas from a dead stop....no noise! I don't recall this happening in warm temperatures!!!! Someone has suggested that the engine mounts might be the culprit. I have 94k on my yucky Blackberry Volvo that otherwise is running fantastic!!!! Bill

Bill

Somewhat the same noise when cold. Starting from a dead stop with a little turn in the wheel seems to create the crack or clunk. Happens only one time when the car has sat overnight.

My guess ?

The spring in the seat of the Macpherson strut. There is a piece of "foam" sitting under the spring. I tried to fix it by squirting oil in the seat on the foam. The noise disappears until the oil gets dirty and the spring slips.

That strut collects LOTS of junk. Clean it out everyonce in a while with a high pressure stream of water and it tends to squelch the problem.


Miker

2000 S40

I have the exact same problem with my car. The car has 60K on it and has been in the shop 5 times for this problem without resolution. I have written to volvo about this issue with no reponse.

We have the same problem with our 2000 v40. (if you look in the archives, you'll probably find my posts to that effect from last year).
Sounds like more of a clunk on our car, but otherwise the symptoms are the same. Only happens when it's cold and when the car's been sitting a while (eg: overnight).

Been to the dealer innumerable times now with no resolution.

I have same thing here as well in my -99 V40.
Yes, a clunk when it´s cold weather and car has been sitting a while or just driving a short trips.

I have been driving quite new -03 S40 which doesn´t make this noise..?

Yep this is the top engine mount just had mine replaced feels like a new car. cost £130 in the uk at dealer.

I had the same type of noise on my S80 here in Malaysia...turned out it was the rubber mounts that sit on top of the springs...and it doesn't get cold here! After 2 months the noise has re-appeared...after a night stop the next morning it will "crack" every now and then until after about 2 kilometeres.I know a few other Volvo owners with different models who suffer the same problem.