Hello there. 89 245 wagon with 113K on clock. I've been working on putting this wagon into full daily driver service after sitting around for about 7 years. I changed all the fuel pumps (in tank and main)and amongst a host of things I've recently done, I've been somewhat concerned about a "gravely" sound that I feel in the body of the car just under acceleration. When you let you foot off the accelerator, it's as smoot as a baby's behind, as they say.

Under any load condition, it's not horrendous, but annoying. To combat this, I've changed out all the motor mounts and transmission mount. The motor mounts were NOT that bad, but the transmission mount was ripped in two and trash. That alone contributed to the most notable improvements. I've also changed out the center support rubber housing and bearing. I'm beginning to think this might be a muffler related issue. It's not loud like a hole in the muffler, it's more of a through the body rumble that most people would not notice, but I do.

Car has brand new Michelins and is solid all around. The car began to sound very different after the mounts and tranny mount was changed. Although, the reason I changed them was because of the "gravely" sound that I was attempting to alleveiate. It's improved, but not gone. I just can't imagine that a Volvo is supposed to feel and sound that way, but I'm out of solutions.

Any help, would be appreciated greatly.

Thanks!

JBeechcraft

(any chance this could be a "flexplate" issue?) no other discernible problems other than this low level rumbling but only with some kind of load/acceleration.

Our 1988 245 DL had similar symptoms. It was the catalytic converter: the internal matrix had broken loose (after 230k miles) and caused the noise, like marbles rattling around inside a tin can.

Replaced the converter and problem was fixed.

IME a gravelly metal-to-metal low-growling sound is usually rear-position trailing-arm bushings.

Lots of info in the archives on them.
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240s: 2 drivers & parts cars

If the growl is coming from the rear of the car, especially after sitting for seven years, here is the short list:

1: The exhaust pipe is hitting the plate on the driver side frame rail just behind the rear axle.

2: The old heat shields on the exhaust have busted welds and are rattling, although that is normally experienced at idle.

3: One or more of the U-joints are coming apart in the driveshaft.

4: The gear rear end gears have rusted from sitting too long.

My advice would be to inspect the exhaust, remove loose heat shields. Check for clearance between the rear of the exhaust and the body, correct as needed. Then drop the driveshaft and check all U-joints, replace as needed. Finally, pull open the pumpkin on the rear axle and inspect the gears.

jorrell
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92 245 317K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently being enjoyed!

Thank you to all who have so far responded to the gravely/rumbling issues in my 89 245. So far, I don't think this is an issue of it being the rear end or any issues related to sitting for seven years. We are here in Florida and the car has been well preserved, so aside from minor things like bad fuel and fuel pumps, we seem to have taken care of many if not most of the time/age related isues.

I drove the car here to the library today and one of the things I did not notice before is that the same vibration and gravely sound which seems only aparent under load seems to also be present when sitting at a stop light. The outside rear view mirror will vibrate when I increase rpms! So now, it seems that not only is this vibration present under a load when driving, but also when stationary as the rpms are increased.

This probably eliminates the U joints and now has me thinking about the catalytic converter or even the elusive "flex plate." When I start the car, it "almost" seems like the sound is coming from under the passenger side like a hole in the muffler, BUT there does not seem to be an exhaust problem when I get out and listen underneath. It's definately related to increased rpms and under load. The vibration is transmitted into the cabin and vibrates annoyingly. The new finding was the buzzing of the outside driver's side rear view mirror.

Thanks so much to all the collective wisdom of this board. It's simply amazing!

1st thing i would check and see if there is a busted exhaust hanger and as others have suggested a loose heat shield.

Thank you! I've searched high and low for a heat shield related issue and none that I can see. The vibration definately transmits through the body. Looks like I'll need an assistant and get her up on ramps. By myself, I am not able to replicate the vibration while I'm under the car. : )

The car has new motor mounts, new transmission mount and I did use some new mercedes diesel doughnut hangers to replace the old ones. One thing I did notice was that the exhaust seems to go under the axle and I think others have indicated that on the wagons, the exhaust goes over the axle. Perhaps this is a problem from earlier that I have not caught.

Nevertheless, thanks so much for the input. I'll be under the car tomorrow with an assistant.

Appreciative!

JBeechcraft

With the car safely jacked up and the exhaust cold, grab a hold of the heat shield on the cat converter and wiggle it... does it move/slip against the cat? Do the same for the heat shield on the head pipe (if it has one). If either of the move even a little bit, take a flat head screw driver and start prying them off, any remaining spot welds will snap off quickly. No need to replace the heat shields... unless you are in California as CARB thinks they help with minimizing emissions!

jorrell
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92 245 317K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently being enjoyed!