In an S40 - Do all pulleys respond to RPM ?

Volvoline · Nov 8th, 2012, 09:50

I was wondering ... I have this awful belt screach, kinda like an old chariot, when I kick down from 3rd to 1st gear.
In Drive kick down you hear the belt.
If it's Idle and you push it hard from 4k to 6k, theres a more subtle pulley noise. Kinda plasticy Brrr, like a slipping pulley.

Now, the Aux belt is new and all the pulleys there are sturdy. the belt moves very straight at idle.

Could this be the Tensioner of the cambelt ? Idler ? I have a cambelt kit on the way, but is it likely that a bad tensioner will sound like what I decribe ?
The inside of the cambelt cover is full of yellow grease as well.The cams are also greased at the teeth. but not as much as the inner plastic cover.

It doesnt always happen, every tome i get a friend to rev the car while i listen it stops.

I guess the question is - Does the cam tensioner respond to RPM at all ?
someone suggested in a previous thread it could be the tensioner. Now with a more detailed symptom hopefully I can get enough info to diagnose it.

Thanks !

Volvoline · Nov 8th, 2012, 19:49

Hmm seems like I found a lead !

I took off the cam cover and put my ear really close and I can obviously listen to a constant rattle inside there. Sound is best described as that wheel of fortune brrrrr sound when it spins. But dim. Its not the cover touching the weight- It sound like one of the pulleys.
same noise I complained anout above.

Removing VVT valve doesnt change anything. Also it's not the classic alternating brrr brrr like some failed vvt's here.

So could it be that it does wheel of fortune at low rpms and screeches at wide open throttle ?
Should I drive this car before I get the cambelt and pulleys done ?

gatos · Nov 8th, 2012, 20:52

It could be any of the pulleys in there or the tensioners. For some reason, I would be leaning towards the alternator pulley, as it seems to be the one that normally fails....

WHen was the last time you changed the pulleys/tensioners in that area?

Volvoline · Nov 9th, 2012, 01:37

You've got PM dear Sir ...
Case Solved, it's both the timing and the Drive belt lol.

Nov 8th, 2012, 09:50	#1
Volvoline Master Member Last Online: Dec 31st, 2016 22:43 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JER	In an S40 - Do all pulleys respond to RPM ? I was wondering ... I have this awful belt screach, kinda like an old chariot, when I kick down from 3rd to 1st gear. In Drive kick down you hear the belt. If it's Idle and you push it hard from 4k to 6k, theres a more subtle pulley noise. Kinda plasticy Brrr, like a slipping pulley. Now, the Aux belt is new and all the pulleys there are sturdy. the belt moves very straight at idle. Could this be the Tensioner of the cambelt ? Idler ? I have a cambelt kit on the way, but is it likely that a bad tensioner will sound like what I decribe ? The inside of the cambelt cover is full of yellow grease as well.The cams are also greased at the teeth. but not as much as the inner plastic cover. It doesnt always happen, every tome i get a friend to rev the car while i listen it stops. I guess the question is - Does the cam tensioner respond to RPM at all ? someone suggested in a previous thread it could be the tensioner. Now with a more detailed symptom hopefully I can get enough info to diagnose it. Thanks ! Last edited by Volvoline; Nov 8th, 2012 at 10:12.

Nov 8th, 2012, 20:52	#3
gatos Premier Member Last Online: Nov 15th, 2022 21:34 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London / Essex	It could be any of the pulleys in there or the tensioners. For some reason, I would be leaning towards the alternator pulley, as it seems to be the one that normally fails.... WHen was the last time you changed the pulleys/tensioners in that area? __________________ Current car: 2002 S40 1.9D, 1992 240SE Nullius in Verba

Nov 8th, 2012, 19:49	#2
Volvoline Master Member Last Online: Dec 31st, 2016 22:43 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JER	Hmm seems like I found a lead ! I took off the cam cover and put my ear really close and I can obviously listen to a constant rattle inside there. Sound is best described as that wheel of fortune brrrrr sound when it spins. But dim. Its not the cover touching the weight- It sound like one of the pulleys. same noise I complained anout above. Removing VVT valve doesnt change anything. Also it's not the classic alternating brrr brrr like some failed vvt's here. So could it be that it does wheel of fortune at low rpms and screeches at wide open throttle ? Should I drive this car before I get the cambelt and pulleys done ?

Nov 9th, 2012, 01:37	#4
Volvoline Master Member Last Online: Dec 31st, 2016 22:43 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JER	You've got PM dear Sir ... Case Solved, it's both the timing and the Drive belt lol.

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