What’s this noise

[SlapNutz]

Hi guys

Hope you are all well. Been driving for over 6000kms. Stopped at a hotel and 5 minutes later to park the car I started it and got this loud whirring sound from the engine bay. So decided to park it up and investigate in the morning. This is the sound it fluctuates and is coming from the alternator pulley area. Any ideas.

I had to use google drive as I can’t seem to upload the video here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z2y...w?usp=drivesdk

Regards
Slapz

[Lancee]

Not what you will want to hear, but, IMHO don't drive it another inch or even start it up until you have found the issue.

That's the auxilliary/cambelt area with further tensioners and clutches/bearings to consider, failure of any can potentially cause catastrophic engine damage by derailing the cambelt.

What is the service history like ?

[SlapNutz]

Just had it fully serviced before I left for my journey. It’s been fine up till last night when I stopped to get a room and 5 mins later I start and whiirrrr really loud and then I could hear the sound of the engine wasn’t the same I could hear it clearly from the inside throughly the firewall. This just had to happen while on foreign lands. I have a Volvo selekt dealership about 13kms from me and a indie Volvo mechanic similar distance.

Regards
Slapz

[Lancee]

Serviced to what level ?

Not necessarily correct for your car, but for example; Cambelt every 108000 miles, auxilliary belt every 54000 miles ?

It may be the alternator pulley/clutch, which I understand can shred the auxilliary belt and consequently derail the cambelt.

I may be overreacting, but I am personally perhaps a little paranoid, literally, in this area !

I would most certainly get it professionally checked out. Perhaps get your breakdown provider to take a look ?

[SlapNutz]

Originally Posted by Lancee

Serviced to what level ?

Not necessarily correct for your car, but for example; Cambelt every 108000 miles, auxilliary belt every 54000 miles ?

It may be the alternator pulley/clutch, which I understand can shred the auxilliary belt and consequently derail the cambelt.

I may be overreacting, but I am personally perhaps a little paraniod, literally, in this area !

I would most certainly get it professionally checked out. Perhaps get your breakdown provider to take a look ?

Full service, not done the cambelt or timing belt yet since I have owned it from 62k miles. Mileage is at 129000km currently. While driving the engine doesn’t sound the same very chainy rattle and gear drops are producing a very distinct WWWRRRRRrrrrr gear drop WWWRRRRRrrrrrrrr. Very noticeable.

Indie took 2 mins to determine the fault it’s the alternator making that ratteling sound from inside. He made me hear it via stethoscope. Also mentioned there might be an issue with the crank pulley.

He’s said the whirring sound is from the alternator going up and down in load so that confirmed

I’m at in an indies now. Gives great confidence when he pulls up on a Sunday in a similar vehicle.

IMG_0208.jpg

My guys fully stocked proper Volvo indie. Legendary dude.


IMG_0209.jpg


Sorry the statements are all over the place I’m typing as he’s doing the diagnostics.

Update

The plan tomorrow morning. Alternator out rebuilt and put back in with the pulleys and new belt. At a very very good price like effing good price.

Regards Slapz

[SlapNutz]

Originally Posted by Lancee

Serviced to what level ?

Not necessarily correct for your car, but for example; Cambelt every 108000 miles, auxilliary belt every 54000 miles ?

It may be the alternator pulley/clutch, which I understand can shred the auxilliary belt and consequently derail the cambelt.

I may be overreacting, but I am personally perhaps a little paranoid, literally, in this area !

I would most certainly get it professionally checked out. Perhaps get your breakdown provider to take a look ?

After visiting the indie above. I went and parked up temp is 42c car was started ac on and then It happened battery not charging light came on then smoke from the bonnet. Switched car off Opened up bonnet and alternator was smoking. The pulley was so hot it melted and broke the belt. One message to indie he popped over within a minute removed belt asked me to follow him and parked the car in his work shop.

I noticed after belt breaking the noise mentioned above was all gone haha.

Looking forward to a new alternator tomorrow and back on the road.

Lucky the belt burnt and broke after I had switched car off. And not while spinning. Sheesh.

Regards
Slapz

[Lancee]

Originally Posted by Lancee

Not what you will want to hear, but, IMHO don't drive it another inch or even start it up until you have found the issue.

That's the auxilliary/cambelt area with further tensioners and clutches/bearings to consider, failure of any can potentially cause catastrophic engine damage by derailing the cambelt.

What is the service history like ?

Some further concerns here.

You may have had a very lucky escape (so far).

If the cambelt is disturbed causing the timing to be moved by even a small amount the engine is potentially scrap or at a minimum a bill running into the thousands. The pistons hit the valves and create major damage.

I am somewhat surprised that the indie didn't advise you against continuing to drive it ?

[nu11eaf]

It is very unusual for a Volvo alternator to fail but the alternator free wheeling clutch pulley is a not an uncommon fail point which seizes up. The pulley can be changed if alternator and bracket are ok.

[KentXRS]

Originally Posted by Lancee

You may have had a very lucky escape (so far).

100%

The worst thing could happen - engine replacement...

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by KentXRS

100%

The worst thing could happen - engine replacement...

Which for a petrol is a 9k job.....