1997 V70 2.5 turbo petrol auto whining noise.

[Tetleysmooth]

I've had this car for about 18 months now, and it's been pretty faultless, but a couple of weeks ago it started making a high pitched whining noise when cold. As the temperature rises, it stops abruptly. My first thought was the serpentine belt. I've got another one, but apparently it's for engines without aircon, so bought in error. I'll get another one next week.
I've WD'd the pulleys with no effect. The noise does not alter with revs.
Yesterday, I checked the atf, car hot after a run, went through all the gears, atf level absolutely fine.
My next port of call will be nipping up the inlet manifold bolts and checking for loose or split vacuum pipes.
My bet is the belt though.
The noise makes absolutely no difference to the way the car runs and drives. There are no lights on the dash. It doesn't sound life threatening, just bloomin' annoying.
Has anybody else had this?

[Tetleysmooth]

Been out this morning and pulled the dipstick and removed the oil filler cap. No difference.
As soon as it reached the magical operating temperature, the noise just stopped. It's got me baffled.

[Mark1Stu]

I'm no expert, but if it's a turbocharged engine, could it be the turbo bearings?

[Tetleysmooth]

I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from the front offside of the engine, but I can't be 100% certain.
Wouldn't turbo bearings be noisy all the time, rather than just a couple of minutes?

[John97Tdi]

Hi, next time you want to start the car from cold why not take the belt off and see if the noise is still there? At least that should give you some place to start.

Cheers

John

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by John97Tdi

Hi, next time you want to start the car from cold why not take the belt off and see if the noise is still there? At least that should give you some place to start.

Indeedy...easy check this one. It's also gives you a chance to check the pulleys for lateral wear. If you're using original WD40 on the pulleys it'll most probably have dried off as it's only a penatrant. Try using some copper grease spray but make sure it doesn't reach the belt. WD40 is great for many many things, including cleaning grease off belts, but it's not a lubricant as such.

Trying a new auxiliary belt is probably a good idea as they can produce strange vibrations and sounds. What about aircon...any difference in sound when activated?

Also, for good measure, check all the studs on the exhaust manifold are present and also look for any evidence of blackening around each port due to damaged or missing gasket. Symptoms of this can be a metallic/echo sound which then disappears as the metal and gaskets come up to temp.

[Tetleysmooth]

Thanks for all this advice chaps.
I'll try these things when I get the new belt.

[sdg1970]

My 97 V70r is doing this. It started a few back - from cold it sounds terrible, like somebody blowing into a Kazoo, or that sound you get when you put a blade of grass between both thumbs and blow. Im also now getting whitish smoke on hot idle, or when accelerating slightly when hot. I suspect a worn turbo and intend to change it over the coming weeks. Little or no oil usage as yet though and certainly no smoke when cold.

[Tetleysmooth]

Well, went to work last night - no noise.
Left all my cards at home that I need for my job, so had to go back and get them - no noise, nothing on the way back to work either.
The car has never used a spot of oil, and doesn't smoke whatsoever.

It's got me scratching my head.

[phatboy130]

Maybe way of tangent here, but my wifes 440 did a similar thing for a while on and off, turned out alternator was knackered!!