Volvo RWD S90-V90 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 4/2003 S90-V90 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A engine sound? is it bad? S90-V90

I have a newly purchased 97 s90 with 52K on it. During
a drive today, a sound has developed from the engine area.
It started after I was driving for quite some time so I
dont think its the hydrolic valve warm up issue. It
sounds like a whirling/very muddled tapping sound almost
like belt noise but louder. Is it something to worry about?
The noise also accelerates when pressing the gas.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A engine sound? is it bad? S90-V90

Have a Volvo shop carefuly check the timing belt bearing (and pulley) checked as soon as possible and replaced if needed. Mine went bad at a bit over 60K miles on the car. Had I not replaced that bearing on the spot, it could have torn the timing belt and the engine would have self destructed.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A engine sound? is it bad? S90-V90

You guys think it is the timing belt making all
the racket? even if it was fine the next day?
I just want to make sure, cause I live way too
far away from a Volvo shop.

It was hard to say, but it sounded like it was
from the rear of the engine.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A More logical Explaination S90-V90

Check the pullies and berings on the timing belt. There should be two of them, I am betting its the bottom one. Once you open the black cover that is covering the belt look at the bottom are there little balls of metal? If so Do not drive your car anywhere. this means that you need a new timing belt pullie. I hope this helps.\

Brandon








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A engine sound? is it bad? S90-V90

The belts I know of in the car are the timing belt and
the accessory belt (which seems to service everything with
just one long belt) Is there another one hidden somewhere?
(its a pretty tight compartment) I checked the accessory
belt and seems alright except for this brown dust on it
but that is not concerning me much. This morning there
was no trace of that sound but I fear that it will return.
Because it is gone again, does that meen its less of a
problem than if i heard it all the time?

Thanks

Also - It happened while driving and in park.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A engine sound? is it bad? S90-V90

The timing belt is your biggest concern and since it is close to changing @70K, I'd give it quick visual inspection. It's located under the plastic belt cover on the front of the engine block. If you don't feel comfortable in doing this, I'd take it to a Volvo shop to get a peek. It will require a 30K tune-up soon, so there's a laundry list of recommended things to do then.... plugs, filters, change to synthetic oil, coolant + thermostat, brake fluid, and perhaps change to synthetic ATF.
--
John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 98K








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A engine sound? is it bad? S90-V90

It might be the air pump. It is really loud compared to other cars, but I don't think it would change with speed. The first time my wife heard it she was certain something came loose and was "wherring around under the hood."








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A engine sound? is it bad? S90-V90

Has the car been thoroughly checked out, including a visual inspection of both belts? Everything else is secondary.
--
John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 98K







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.