V40: - v40 1.9d humming noise

mathewst · Oct 14th, 2018, 21:23

My car developed an annoying problem.
While driving there is a intermittent humming noise (now it is happening almost all the time especially afer a longer run),
Went to the mechanic but he could hear it cause it was a short run only

Now it is happening more often.
When I press the clutch the noise goes away.
Gears shift without issue, car accelerates normally
Not sure what is the problem.
I read several forums where they pointed out that it is most likely the throwout bearing or clutch release bearing but the forum were for mazda not volvo.
Also on those forums they suggested to just apply some grease to the bearing so was wandering if this can be done to my volvo (v40, y2004)
Cannot afford another expesive problem at the moment so any helpful advice would be appreciated.
Regards!

magnuz · Oct 14th, 2018, 23:01

It could be the release bearing, but If it were the clutch release bearing, i would expect it to get louder when the pedal is pressed, as the bearing is pushed against the diaphram spring of the clutch pressure plate, so is under more load ?
Does the noise go away if you apply light pressure to the pedal, without really pushing it down ?
Is the noise there when the car is moving, & does the noise change tone, or volume as you go through the gears ?
Also check the gearbox oil level !

mathewst · Oct 15th, 2018, 18:51

Here is a slight update with some more details.
Now the noise also happens when starting to move.
The mechanic checked the car today again and said that it is either the gearbox or the front wheel bearing. Either eay he is not sure but said it probably isn't clutch or the flwheel.
Noise has roughly the same frequency and it is the loudest (or best heard) between 1600 and 2200rpms. Not sure about highter rpms but it seems to go away but this could also be that other sounds just cancel it out.
Car is manual with volvo gearbox (reverse as 6th gear)

mathewst · Oct 17th, 2018, 20:00

Another update.
I jacked the car up today and tried to manually rotate the the front wheels.
Car was in neutral.
Right wheel rotated without a sound and the left one was making squealing metal on metal noises (not to loud but they are there)
Also both wheels took some force to rotate but not to much (I jacked them up one at a time)

Is this normal? Or should they rotate freely with little effort when in neutral?
Also is it possible that it is the gearbox since the noise ic comming from one wheel only??
Can someone help since the mechanic is being a bit of an as... and said to wait since it breaks down that we will lookinto it then.
I'm pretty often on the road and don't want to have problems esspecially when I have a kid in the car.

clarkey1984 · Oct 17th, 2018, 20:11

I'd look at the condition of the brake pads and backing plate if it were me, as worn down pads, a sticking caliper, or even just a small stone stuck somewhere will give you a noise like this, my old orange phase 1 had a rotted out backing plate and it has become bent against the back of the disk, sounded terrible until I pulled it clear.

mathewst · Oct 17th, 2018, 20:42

I appreciate your help but
Front pads are brand new.
Replaced after the noise started appearing.

canis · Oct 18th, 2018, 02:53

This is all just my opinion, based on years of owning very old cars worth practically nothing. I will bow to better advice on gearboxes, so if anyone has some, feel free to shout me down and speak forth.

Pay attention to the pitch of the noise. If it rises and falls in direct correllation with vehicle speed no matter which gear, then it's not the clutch. A clutch bearing will usually rattle more than whine, and will usually stop either when pressed or when released, but never both at the same time. If it's happening both with the clutch pressed and released, but is directly proportional to engine speed (not vehicle speed) then the fault is in the gearbox, which will be too expensive to fix so just live with it. A secondhand box will be the simplest solution to that, since overhauling gearboxes is notoriously difficult - you'll need a specialist.

On the other hand, if it's the wheel bearings then it will become apparent soon enough during an MOT test, so again, just live with it until that happens. Then if that cures the noise then great, the gearbox is fine. If not, there's nothing you can do to the gearbox to fix it. The average toolbox does not have the tools necessary to take a gearbox apart, and certainly not to put one back together again.

You can change the gearbox oil and see if that helps. These gearboxes are generally very reliable, but by now have usually done a lot of miles and oil doesn't last forever. In reality a noisy box might be noisy, but will continue to work effectively for many more tens of thousands of miles.

Like I said, if someone has better advice, please do speak up. Everything in this post is home-mechanic experience, but I'd sooner open a can of worms than a gearbox - given a choice. :-)

mathewst · Oct 18th, 2018, 20:03

Thanks for your input.
The oil in gearbox was changed some 5000 miles ago.
Looks like noise isn't proportional to engine or car speed.
Today I left the car in neutral going very slowly on a light downhill and try to figure out some more symptoms.
I could feel throught the steering wheel something like a judder.
Actually better description would be that it felt like the wheel was not round but a part of it was oval (it felt like intermitent breaking like someone was lightly pressing the brakes constantly).
Wheels are fine and round but something is causing this resistance and it is getting worse.
Booked another appointment with the mechanic tomorrow so hopefully will be smarter tomorrow.
Car is relatively old it is 2004, but it hasn't done to many miles (142k)

aldred309uk · Oct 19th, 2018, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathewst

Thanks for your input.
The oil in gearbox was changed some 5000 miles ago.
Looks like noise isn't proportional to engine or car speed.
Today I left the car in neutral going very slowly on a light downhill and try to figure out some more symptoms.
I could feel throught the steering wheel something like a judder.
Actually better description would be that it felt like the wheel was not round but a part of it was oval (it felt like intermitent breaking like someone was lightly pressing the brakes constantly).
Wheels are fine and round but something is causing this resistance and it is getting worse.
Booked another appointment with the mechanic tomorrow so hopefully will be smarter tomorrow.
Car is relatively old it is 2004, but it hasn't done to many miles (142k)

Intermittent braking, once per wheel rotation could be a warped brake disc?

loelly · Oct 22nd, 2018, 14:26

Did you take a look at your tires? A carcass fracture acts weird and make a weird noise.

Oct 14th, 2018, 21:23	#1
mathewst Junior Member Last Online: Jul 17th, 2019 10:13 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Split	v40 1.9d humming noise My car developed an annoying problem. While driving there is a intermittent humming noise (now it is happening almost all the time especially afer a longer run), Went to the mechanic but he could hear it cause it was a short run only Now it is happening more often. When I press the clutch the noise goes away. Gears shift without issue, car accelerates normally Not sure what is the problem. I read several forums where they pointed out that it is most likely the throwout bearing or clutch release bearing but the forum were for mazda not volvo. Also on those forums they suggested to just apply some grease to the bearing so was wandering if this can be done to my volvo (v40, y2004) Cannot afford another expesive problem at the moment so any helpful advice would be appreciated. Regards!

Oct 14th, 2018, 23:01	#2
magnuz Ancient Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 17:03 Join Date: May 2012 Location: chesterfield	It could be the release bearing, but If it were the clutch release bearing, i would expect it to get louder when the pedal is pressed, as the bearing is pushed against the diaphram spring of the clutch pressure plate, so is under more load ? Does the noise go away if you apply light pressure to the pedal, without really pushing it down ? Is the noise there when the car is moving, & does the noise change tone, or volume as you go through the gears ? Also check the gearbox oil level ! Last edited by magnuz; Oct 14th, 2018 at 23:05.

Oct 17th, 2018, 20:11	#5
clarkey1984 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2022 09:41 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Beccles	I'd look at the condition of the brake pads and backing plate if it were me, as worn down pads, a sticking caliper, or even just a small stone stuck somewhere will give you a noise like this, my old orange phase 1 had a rotted out backing plate and it has become bent against the back of the disk, sounded terrible until I pulled it clear. __________________ 02 V40 T4 S, "Sargent silver" she's back!

Oct 15th, 2018, 18:51	#3
mathewst Junior Member Last Online: Jul 17th, 2019 10:13 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Split	Here is a slight update with some more details. Now the noise also happens when starting to move. The mechanic checked the car today again and said that it is either the gearbox or the front wheel bearing. Either eay he is not sure but said it probably isn't clutch or the flwheel. Noise has roughly the same frequency and it is the loudest (or best heard) between 1600 and 2200rpms. Not sure about highter rpms but it seems to go away but this could also be that other sounds just cancel it out. Car is manual with volvo gearbox (reverse as 6th gear)

Oct 17th, 2018, 20:00	#4
mathewst Junior Member Last Online: Jul 17th, 2019 10:13 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Split	Another update. I jacked the car up today and tried to manually rotate the the front wheels. Car was in neutral. Right wheel rotated without a sound and the left one was making squealing metal on metal noises (not to loud but they are there) Also both wheels took some force to rotate but not to much (I jacked them up one at a time) Is this normal? Or should they rotate freely with little effort when in neutral? Also is it possible that it is the gearbox since the noise ic comming from one wheel only?? Can someone help since the mechanic is being a bit of an as... and said to wait since it breaks down that we will lookinto it then. I'm pretty often on the road and don't want to have problems esspecially when I have a kid in the car.

Oct 17th, 2018, 20:42	#6
mathewst Junior Member Last Online: Jul 17th, 2019 10:13 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Split	I appreciate your help but Front pads are brand new. Replaced after the noise started appearing.

Oct 18th, 2018, 02:53	#7
canis Non Fragile Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chadderton, Oldham	This is all just my opinion, based on years of owning very old cars worth practically nothing. I will bow to better advice on gearboxes, so if anyone has some, feel free to shout me down and speak forth. Pay attention to the pitch of the noise. If it rises and falls in direct correllation with vehicle speed no matter which gear, then it's not the clutch. A clutch bearing will usually rattle more than whine, and will usually stop either when pressed or when released, but never both at the same time. If it's happening both with the clutch pressed and released, but is directly proportional to engine speed (not vehicle speed) then the fault is in the gearbox, which will be too expensive to fix so just live with it. A secondhand box will be the simplest solution to that, since overhauling gearboxes is notoriously difficult - you'll need a specialist. On the other hand, if it's the wheel bearings then it will become apparent soon enough during an MOT test, so again, just live with it until that happens. Then if that cures the noise then great, the gearbox is fine. If not, there's nothing you can do to the gearbox to fix it. The average toolbox does not have the tools necessary to take a gearbox apart, and certainly not to put one back together again. You can change the gearbox oil and see if that helps. These gearboxes are generally very reliable, but by now have usually done a lot of miles and oil doesn't last forever. In reality a noisy box might be noisy, but will continue to work effectively for many more tens of thousands of miles. Like I said, if someone has better advice, please do speak up. Everything in this post is home-mechanic experience, but I'd sooner open a can of worms than a gearbox - given a choice. :-)

Oct 18th, 2018, 20:03	#8
mathewst Junior Member Last Online: Jul 17th, 2019 10:13 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Split	Thanks for your input. The oil in gearbox was changed some 5000 miles ago. Looks like noise isn't proportional to engine or car speed. Today I left the car in neutral going very slowly on a light downhill and try to figure out some more symptoms. I could feel throught the steering wheel something like a judder. Actually better description would be that it felt like the wheel was not round but a part of it was oval (it felt like intermitent breaking like someone was lightly pressing the brakes constantly). Wheels are fine and round but something is causing this resistance and it is getting worse. Booked another appointment with the mechanic tomorrow so hopefully will be smarter tomorrow. Car is relatively old it is 2004, but it hasn't done to many miles (142k)

Oct 22nd, 2018, 14:26	#10
loelly Junior Member Last Online: Apr 12th, 2024 12:12 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Heers	Did you take a look at your tires? A carcass fracture acts weird and make a weird noise.

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