Loud persistent squeal, 2017 XC90 T8
 

Hello

Today on a short run, about a 10 mile round trip, on the way back I started to hear a low squeal when the petrol when the petrol engine kicked in. I then put it in polestar driving mode so the engine run constantly and the squeal stayed and gradually got louder. The squeal fades when revved but is constant at idle revs, goes completely when the electric motor is moving the car. I put it down to a wet belt, changed back to hybrid mode and carried on driving as I was only about a mile from home.
I made it home parked up and had a search of the forum and a quick google and read a few horror stories, mainly a post from Phillip fisher that made me feel a bit sick.
Would somebody mind watching the below video I took of the car at idle and let me know if you have had this before and what the problem was? I’ll have to get it looked at on Monday morning now but would love it if somebody put my mind at ease in the mean time.

[YOUTUBE]https://youtu.be/NqdWHIejS6g?si=1yij3uJoGLYRgGSH[/YOUTUBE]

Any help would be appreciated, Andy.

Mine was slightly higher pitched than that and not as loud. But I caught it very early. There is a chance it is the same issue as me.

It could be belts and it could be an ancillary of course. Indeed it does sound quite "belty" to me.

So I am afraid I can't put your mind at rest. The only way of diagnosing is to remove the aux drive belt and see if the noise goes away.

Or if you want to play this afternoon, get a cup of water and pour it on the aux drive belt with the engine running. If the noise changes at all then it is the belt. If it doesn't change then, well, it is not the belt so it starts to look less promising.

Good luck.

Have you got a warranty?

Thanks for the reply mate, I did spray a bit of soapy water on the belt when I got home and it didn’t sound any different.
I do have a warranty with warrantywise, don’t know what that’s worth but I’m sure I’ll find out.
I’ve just read through your full post about the issues you had and I’m really hoping it’s not the same issue as I don’t think I could afford to fix it unless warrantywise chip in and even then there’s a £3k repair limit ant that’s pushing it.

Water pump or alternator bearings would be my guess.

Booked in at Warrington Volvo for Monday.

You driving it between then and now?

No, it’s parked up fully charged ready to drive it there on Saturday in pure electric mode, hopefully it gets there on just electric.

From the video it sounds very much like a slipping belt, that should be checked first. Pouring water on a belt won't necessarily change the sound, first get the belt changed or even just tightened if possible before worrying about anything further.

You been to the dealer yet? Good news or bad?