240 General: My new GLT and noise.

[146ken]

I collected my new GLT estate (The Major*) from Birmingham yesterday. Three and a half hours back to Exeter, cruised happily at 70mph and above when asked. Engine seems solid and not over thirsty.
My major concern is how noisy the car seems. My other GLT (The Colonel*) purrs along and you have to look at the tacho to check the engines running.

The noise is difficult to pin down, it seems to come from back left and front right, but then my hearing is not wonderful and easily confused. (I've met those who can listen to a car and tell which ashtray needs emptying.) It mostly sounds like loud road noise, there is no vibration associated with it through the steering column. It increases in volume when steering to the left, no change to the right.
I checked round the wheels when I got back last night and there was no over heated hub, which may point towards wheel bearings. The tyres are good condition, though I did notice the absence of any balancing weights which seemed a bit odd.

I would be grateful for any advice as to what to check next, but please assume your addressing a mechanical ignoramus.

*I don't normally name my cars but the "Colonel" came with that when I bought it. The paperwork included original delivery note to an army colonel in Germany.
Found similar note but to a "Major" in the new one. My 240SE is referred to as LBJ from its reg., but hasn't acquired a name as yet.

[Clifford Pope]

Simple first check is the condition of the gearlever boot and its attachment to the floor. An incredible amount of general noise can get through a tiny gap.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

I would also check the state of the Viscous coupling for the cooling fan.
If that is on the way out or gone, then you will get increased fan noise as the fan is spinning more than it should..

Des. . .

[honestjoe]

Hi ken..just a thought....i"ve had a new tyre fitted to the back of my volvo estate..and i can hear more road noise from it...may be worth checking to see if any difference in wear on tyres which may indicate a recent replacement?.. congrats on new volvo...ps between you and me my volvo is called hercules!!...regards hj.

[146ken]

I have had a look at the fan, presuming lack of viscous coupling would let it rotate with little resistance, this doesn't seem to be the case. Though I did note that the temperature gauge does not rise to same level as my other GLT.

The tyres all appear to be in good condition and look near new. The virgo alloys are in very good condition, but I cannot find any evidence that they have been balanced. There are no counterweights attached. I'm thinking if this isn't the cause of all the noise it is something that needs to be done anyway.

There are plenty of other issues with the car which the seller was economical with the truth about. Tailgate wiper and central locking not working. Slight dampness in footwell, bodgy repair and respray to tailgate edge, radio and tape not working, rear seat belt damaged. Nothing unusual for a 240, but an inexperienced ebay seller obviously chose to cover up rather than come clean.
The worst crime however was their choice of air freshener; you know those dangly cardboard christmas trees which smell of orange tainted vomit, i've found 7 of them so far and sure there are several more lurking. Anybody got a good way of removing the stench.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Yes, the viscious coupling should allow the fan to rotate freely when cold and when warm stiffens up - thus increasing rotation of the fan..

As for the smell - I can only think of a good wash of the carpets.
I won't suggest fabreeze as I don't know if it works..

Des. . .

[Clifford Pope]

You could just try the effect of unbolting the viscous coupling for a test run- it's only 4 nuts on studs - and packing out with large nuts to hold the pump pulley.
You would be amazed at the quietness. I fitted an electric fan when the coupling went, and it is silent. It hardly ever needs to cut in, except on hot days in traffic or going up steep hills.

[146ken]

Thanks chaps.
I have driven the car round some quiet roads with the window open and the noise is definitely, front right and back left. The noise from the rear I'm pretty sure is fuel pump, and from the front is the brakes. Offside disc is worn and has a lipped edge. When turning left the noise increase but stops if you touch the brakes.

[honestjoe]

Hello again ken...perhaps the disc is warped?..you say there is a lip on it where its worn down and when the brake is applied it pulls it straight again....may be worth taking the wheel off and having a closer look ..perhaps spinning the wheel?..as for the radio i think its coupled with the cigarette lighter fuse..i"ve had these blow before?....regards hj.

[Velorum]

One of my old saloons had been used to ferry dogs around and the smell was awful. I sprinkled deodorising dry shampoo powder over all the internal fabric, left it for 30 minutes and then hoovered it up. I then used a whole bottle of fabreze spray. Things were then a lot better. The more fresh air that you can get circulating through the interior the better - whenever possible get the windows open. The power of cold fresh air to remove smells is amazing. When smoking was allowed in pubs and I would return home smelling like an old ashtray I would often hang my jacket outside overnight (if the weather was dry of course!) and it was usually fine by the next morning - the colder the air the more effective it was.