Hi Guys,

I have a 1985 240DL wagon..I love the car and it just runs great..I keep up with all the maintenance and it's in great condition..I few months ago it started doing this howling thing..Mostly speeds of 10 to 30 mph..Sometimes at higher speeds..It doesn't last long and never varies in pitch,just volume..It sounds like a wind whistling thru something or a sick Dog howling..I know it sounds strange but what gets me is I can never determine where it's coming from..It seems to resonate thru the whole car and it comes and goes when you least expect it..Just for a few seconds here and there..I have been told it might be the roof rack..Then why at lower speeds and why does it never change in pitch...What do you guys think?..If something is tearing up I'd like to get it fixed..Thanks a bunch,I'll be looking for your replies..

kingman40

Had same problem with my 1985 240dl. Oddly I first heard it when the temp. exceeded 100 F, then it went away. Kind of a singing when it was 100, but when it's cold like now, a moaning kind of sound. I took it to my local Volvo dealer, YEARS AGO, and was told it was the rear wheel bearing. I was also told that while they sometimes froze and broke off, causing a possible wreck. It was very unlikely to happen without the sound becoming constant. He said if it becomes constant to bring it in and get it replaced. That was about 5 years ago, it is still only when the temp. is in the teens or twenties. Not sure if he was right or just blowing smoke, however it certainly wasn't for financial reasons he said to ignore it, so I believe him.
--
~William~ 1985 240 DL - 342,000 & 1998 V90 - 75,000

My money is on a bad driveshaft center bearing and support bushing. Easy to fix and cheap to buy. If it usually happens when it is colder out then I would be almost sold on a bad driveshaft center bearing. Put the car in neutral next time you hear this and if DOES NOT GO AWAY then the bearing is going. If it does it must be something in the engine bay. Good Luck!

Sincerely,
--
Julio Meza

1979 264GL B27F 122K

Features Added:

BW55 To M46, Central Locking System, 25mm IPD Front Sway Bar, 81+ Dash W/ Oil & Ambient Temp Gauges In C, Oil Pressure, Volts

Next Project:

+Cruise Control

Hi Julio,

Thanks for the response..I have only had this 240 for about a year and I had a sneaking suspicion it was drive train related...The howl is always the same kind of waves in and out and then about the time you start to wonder what it is it's gone..Yes, when it's cold outside is the ony time I usually hear it and it's mostly at the slower speeds..Sometimes at highter speeds but just for a second or two at a lower volume..Again,pitch is always the same..I'll try what you said to do and start looking for the parts so I know where to get them when I'm ready to make the repair...

Bruce...

Hey Kingman40 I have an 89, 240 wagon that did the same exact thing as you describe it. I discovered that the transmission was low on fluid--check only after driving it for 20 or more miles. The fluid expands and must be checked when hot. I have heard several people have this problem. I think this is all it is--good luck.

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for responding...I keep very good track of the transmission level and it does leak a bit so I have to add some every few thousand miles..I'm talking maybe 6 to 10 ounces at most..I haven't noticed that the level has any correlation to the howl but,I'll be keeping better tabs on it from now on..I do alot of city driving and use the car as a work car and it is loaded with tools and gear..Had to add those rubber spring spacers just to keeps it's back end from hangin so low..Since I do so much city driving the trans oil gets dirty very quickly so I have it changed about every 10,000 to 15,000 miles..That in itself has not had any effect on the howling..It might do it today then I may not hear it again for weeks..I am so impressed with car..I run the wheels off of it everyday and it just runs like a champ and never seems any worse for wear..I do most of my own servicing and take very good care of it..It never goes without anything it needs..Anyway...Thanks, and I'll keep an eye on that tranny level and when it does it's howl thing...

Bruce..

First you need to see if the sound is related to road speed and independent of the engine, or if the sound happens at certain RPMs.

The next time the sound happens, put the car in neutral and take your foot off the gas pedal to see if that effects the sound. If it doesn't effect the sound, your problem is most probably the driveshaft center support bearing. This usually sounds like a whine or a whistley sound, and it's very hard to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. It's not expensive or difficult repair; do a search.

If the sound goes away or changes, you have something going on under the hood, maybe a slipping belt. Check your belt tensions and see if any of the belts are more shiny than the others.

Hi Scorch,

Thanks for responding...I know it's not the belts because this sound is way deeper then any belt could produce..It is a good thought thou..They do seem to scream on some cars when they dry out or wear and get loose..I'm betting it is probably that drive shaft center bearing..When it first happened I was praying it wasn't the transmission..But trans oil changes seemed to have no effect on the howl..Thou they sure make it shift alot smoother..I'll probably go ahead and order the parts for it because I simply can't afford to have this car go down for repairs as I keep very busy...One of these weekends I'll just go ahead and change it out..I have 160,000 on it just runs like a top...Thanks..I'll do what you said to try to determine the problem just to be sure and see what happens..

Bruce...