XC90 Cold weather starting - noisy and a bit stinky...

[Thud]

Hello all,

we have a 04 XC90 which is experienceing it's first cold winter with us in Germany. We have noticed that when it starts from cold these days there is a relativly loud buzzing/whining sound coming from just below the air filter box. The pitch and voume of noise is independant of engine revs or steering wheel movement. I have also seen exhaust fumes coming from beneath the bonnet when we get the noise. Once the car reaches operating temperature the noise stops. If the car is turned off while still cold, the noise will run on for a few minutes after the engine is off.

Is this some sort of cold weather system or does it sound like a problem? I am a bit concerned by the presence of exhaust fumes coming from under the bonnet......

Cheers
Thud

[Thud]

Oh, and it's a D5.

[gjh613]

Don't worry, it's the diesel-fuelled auxiliary heater unit, which starts automatically in cold weather to help warm up the engine.

Since modern diesel engines are thermally efficient, they actually take some time to warm up to normal operating temperature. Many manufacturers now tend to fit a diesel-powered heater, such as the Webasto unit, to help to warm up the engine coolant more quickly. These heaters can also be used in some countries to pre-warm the car via a programme timer or a remote control - great on these really cold winter mornings.

[chf]

Originally Posted by gjh613

Don't worry, it's the diesel-fuelled auxiliary heater unit, which starts automatically in cold weather to help warm up the engine.

Since modern diesel engines are thermally efficient, they actually take some time to warm up to normal operating temperature. Many manufacturers now tend to fit a diesel-powered heater, such as the Webasto unit, to help to warm up the engine coolant more quickly. These heaters can also be used in some countries to pre-warm the car via a programme timer or a remote control - great on these really cold winter mornings.

Is this standard to all xc90s, optional or specific to some markets ?

[Clan]

not on UK market cars ...

[gjh613]

The timer control of the parking heater (via the thumbwheel) is a 140 Euro option on my European spec XC60 Momentum and I understand a remote control (keyfob) is also available for most Volvos.

Unfortunately, UK legislation prohibits the remote or automatic timed operation of the auxiliary (parking) heater to prevent it being operated in an enclosed space, such as a garage. UK cars have the heater fitted and it will operate when the engine is started at low temperatures, but there will be no option to set a timer to operate the heater independently.

I have to admit that it was 140 Euros well spent as I have recently been walking out to a lovely warm car, with all the windows defrosted and a pre-warmed engine, even when the overnight temperature dropped to -10 degrees C.