Information: Un-nerving engine noise!

[Volvo UK]

Hi all,

Your urgent help is needed in helping me determine what is going on with my 1999 V70 2.0 Non-turbo..

This morning, on my way to work I'm sat in traffic, when I hear what can only be decribed as a metallic screeching noise that lasted for about a minute.

I pulled over immediately, lifted the bonnet and checked the usual belts etc for anthing obvious... nothing...

The noise had gone so I continued my journey. 17 miles in, again sat in traffic I could hear a faint, non-rythmatic tick in "N" that dissapeared once moving..

Finally, on arriving at the office, I lift the bonnet and all noises have gone!?

Can anyone help me understand what the hell was going on please?!?

Thanks

[alv70d1999]

was the aircon on??? could be a slipping ac clutch

[Volvo UK]

No, A/C was off... one other thing I noticed was that when I went to reverse (3 point turn) the dashboard backlight turned on and off a few times, alomst as if the load on the engine was too high..

[scr8pdo]

I would have a look at your alternator, could be partly seizing or something jamming it, it would make sense cause of the screeching and also the interuption of the dash lights

[Volvo UK]

I spoke to my volvo specialist this morning and described the above symptoms, would anyone agree with his thoughts regarding possible VVT gear issues?

[scr8pdo]

Its hard to say without looking at the car, I would definatly let someone have a look at the alternator first, It could be anything thats moving under the bonnet, and to say its the VVT straight off without looking is a bit presumptious, DONT GET RIPPED OFF!

[Volvo UK]

Thanks for the honest advice, however I do trust my Volvo specialist, but he does indeed agree with you that it's hard to diagnose the noise without seeing it. Im a bit worried as the car has only got 76K on the clock but I'm treating my V70 to a new water pump, Cam Belt, Tensioner and Idler pulleys next week anyway, so I guess this will be a good time to have a health check done on her!

Given what we've talked about, do you all think she's ok to drive until next week?

[CharlesStevenson]

I know you said 'metal' noise but could it have been a slipping drive belt?

If you're sitting in traffic it could be that you were drawing quite a bit of omph from the battery and the alternator belt was slipping?

Or possibly a fan belt ( can't remember whether the 850 has one or if the fan is electric ?)

Don't automatically assume it is a big ££ issue.

Was the car wet, had it been raining, did you drive through a puddle etc?

Any water under the bonnet could have caused this?

Has it happened b4?

Good luck and I'm sure you'll get some better replies soon.

rgds

[Volvo UK]

Hi again.

To answer the last post:

The car was dry, not like today! This was the first time it's done it, and it didn't make the noise on my return home or journey to work this morning..

I have had the belt replaced in the last few months, I'm taking her into my local specialist on Monday for a pre-arranged cambelt, Waterpump and pulleys all round, he's aware about yesterdays noise and will run the code checker and manually inspect the area...

Fingers crossed it's nothing expensive!

Thanks for all the prompt and valued replies!