Changing Serpentine Belt

[dingleby9]

Hi all,
I'm hoping someone could offer me some advice.
My 2011 XC90 has been making a considerable noise when cold, when I am turning the steering wheel. This sound seems to pass fairly quickly, but have a feeling it is the serpentine/auxillary belt on its way out. If this is the case, I would rather change this now before it goes completely (I had it go on a BMW once and caused massive problems!)
My question is, is this a simple process on the XC90 (2011)? I know on some vehicles this can be a big job, but not on all. Are any special tools required to do this job?
Any help or assistance is much appreciated.
Thanks
Paul

[cheshired5]

What is your mileage and what is the colour and level of the power steering fluid?

[binty]

Are you sure it is the belt?
I my experience of a few high milage Volvos I have never had any belt problems.
(I did on other makes, but never on the Volvo's)
When changing them at the specified intervals (108k or 96k), they came off still looking like new.
The belt alone cost me £27 from dealer (aim for 30-40% discount on service parts).
If the belt has gone, I would wonder what has caused it, sort that then fit a complete set of timing belt, aux belt, tensioners and pulleys whilst it was stripped down so I could forget it for another 96k.
(total cost for everything was about £250, but that included the expensive alternator free wheel pulley (£70), which you may not wish to change).
Good luck

[dingleby9]

Hi,

Thank you both for your responses. The car has done roughly 101,000 miles at the minute. I will look at the fluid later and post back with a colour.

I actually don't know what it is. Its noticeable as I pull my car off the drive in the morning. So as I back it out, I have to do a hard right to reverse onto the main road, then a hard left to turn down the road opposite my house. It just sounds like a grawnching, whirlling type of sound. Definitely not always been there, Had it for maybe a month to 6 weeks. Goes quite quickly.

Suppose could be bearings, or something in the steering? Not sure with this one. If you guys are saying this hardly ever goes, then I am thinking I am wrong with first assessment.

Any additional ideas welcome.

Thanks

Paul

[Tannaton]

Check the power steering fluid (as has been said) and if okay I would change it. Check also very carefully the condition of the belt and pulleys/tensioner and idler. personally I would just get the whole lot replaced - the aux belt failing and subsequent disturbance of the timing belt is by far the most common cause of death for these engines.

[binty]

All this talk of steering fluid and thought I have never changed mine, although have kept it topped up. Now on 121k miles.
So today I checked the colour and compared it with the nice new green fluid from Volvo.
Urgh!!!!! (photo attached)
Looks like i have a job for the weekend.
Thanks for suggesting it.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by binty

All this talk of steering fluid and thought I have never changed mine, although have kept it topped up. Now on 121k miles.
So today I checked the colour and compared it with the nice new green fluid from Volvo.
Urgh!!!!! (photo attached)
Looks like i have a job for the weekend.
Thanks for suggesting it.

Costs about 10 quid and usually makes a noticeable difference.

[dingleby9]

Thank you for your responses so far.

I haven't checked my fluid yet, as dark outside now. Will look before setting off in the morning. Could it be the fluid that is making the noise then? Seems odd that old tainted fluid would have a response like that. Happy to take your advice though and change if it helps. Is it a simple process to drain the old fluid, and put in the new?

I will also try and look at the serpentine belt over the weekend and look at its condition. I am not even sure where it is located on my XC90. Is it at the front, or down one of the sides?

thanks

Paul

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by dingleby9

Thank you for your responses so far.

I haven't checked my fluid yet, as dark outside now. Will look before setting off in the morning. Could it be the fluid that is making the noise then? Seems odd that old tainted fluid would have a response like that. Happy to take your advice though and change if it helps. Is it a simple process to drain the old fluid, and put in the new?

I will also try and look at the serpentine belt over the weekend and look at its condition. I am not even sure where it is located on my XC90. Is it at the front, or down one of the sides?

thanks

Paul

The belt is between the engine and the inner wing on the driver side.