Volvo V70 5D SE Alternator Creaky Cyclic Noise

Miguel Queiroz · Oct 30th, 2020, 16:05

Hello everyone,

I am new here because I am also a relatively new Volvo owner. I've always had Mazda cars all my life and I now decided for Volvo and I must say I don't regret it. Not that Mazdas aren't great either but, Volvos leave nothing to desire for sure. Very happy with the change.

Anyway the reason I am posting today is because I started hearing a strange noise coming from the alternator. I'm not sure if it's the belt, the pulley or some damaged bearing. It's a cyclic (not constant) creaky noise and I have added here a video to illustrate what I mean:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mNewQTioU

Does anyone have a clue or a hint about what this could possibly be?

Thanks in advance!

john f · Oct 31st, 2020, 11:30

Try removing the belt and let it run to see if the noise stops
turn off then check for play in the alternator and check the alternator clutch pully

John f

Miguel Queiroz · Oct 31st, 2020, 12:00

Hi John,

Thank you for your reply. I will do as you suggest (although I'll have to do some research to make sure I do it right).

I'm typically a DIY person so I like the challenge, despite not being crazy to do things out of the reach of my skills. I have absolutely nothing against handing professional work to professionals. I've actually spent already a reasonable amount in my mechanic, with this car. But I also like to do myself, what is in my reach.

Meanwhile if anyone has had a similar issue and believes in having an idea of what this could be, please do let me know so it can further point me in the right direction.

cheshired5 · Oct 31st, 2020, 15:00

The sound is like a failing alternator clutch pulley but a stable video with the belt cover off showing all pulleys running would be much more useful.

Miguel Queiroz · Oct 31st, 2020, 15:02

Thank you for the valuable input. I will make one such video tomorrow, if it's not pouring.

Would we be talking about this?

https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/volvo...eewheel-clutch

cheshired5 · Oct 31st, 2020, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel Queiroz

Thank you for the valuable input. I will make one such video tomorrow, if it's not pouring.

Would we be talking about this?

https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/volvo...eewheel-clutch

Yes but they're simple enough to test with the belt off before buying and you'll need a special removal tool.

Seeing the engine running with the belt cover off should offer more insight first.

Miguel Queiroz · Oct 31st, 2020, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Seeing the engine running with the belt cover off should offer more insight first.

Will do, thanks!

myfirstv70 · Nov 2nd, 2020, 06:43

Sounds exactly like mine did....mine gave up at 120k miles. I got a metal extension bar out of my socket set and put one end to my ear and touched the other end on the various things that might be making that noise ie power steering pump, alternator, cylinder head and its as clear as day that it's the component you have the bar up against, the pulley sounds like a bag of spanners .....don't take my word for it try it, its a lot easier than trial and error.
HTH,
Nobby

Miguel Queiroz · Nov 14th, 2020, 14:20

Ok, I finally managed to get the footage. This is the looks and sound of it. You can hear the same noise coming from the alternator area. Now the pulleys and belts are visible.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMNtpJXV940

Any ideas, from any previous experience?

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfirstv70

Sounds exactly like mine did....mine gave up at 120k miles. I got a metal extension bar out of my socket set and put one end to my ear and touched the other end on the various things that might be making that noise ie power steering pump, alternator, cylinder head and its as clear as day that it's the component you have the bar up against, the pulley sounds like a bag of spanners .....don't take my word for it try it, its a lot easier than trial and error.
HTH,
Nobby

I still need to try that but, I'm not really sure what to use as metal extension. Not many options at hand.

cheshired5 · Nov 14th, 2020, 16:18

The tensioner is missing its dirt cover so the belt definitely needs to come off and each pulley checked individually.

For the alternator from 1:20 in my video here.

For the tensioner and idler pulleys from 16:20 in my video here.

Oct 30th, 2020, 16:05	#1
Miguel Queiroz New Member Last Online: Nov 17th, 2020 14:13 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Edinburgh	Volvo V70 5D SE Alternator Creaky Cyclic Noise Hello everyone, I am new here because I am also a relatively new Volvo owner. I've always had Mazda cars all my life and I now decided for Volvo and I must say I don't regret it. Not that Mazdas aren't great either but, Volvos leave nothing to desire for sure. Very happy with the change. Anyway the reason I am posting today is because I started hearing a strange noise coming from the alternator. I'm not sure if it's the belt, the pulley or some damaged bearing. It's a cyclic (not constant) creaky noise and I have added here a video to illustrate what I mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mNewQTioU Does anyone have a clue or a hint about what this could possibly be? Thanks in advance!

Oct 31st, 2020, 15:00	#4
cheshired5 Premier Member Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Crewe	The sound is like a failing alternator clutch pulley but a stable video with the belt cover off showing all pulleys running would be much more useful. __________________ 2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles

Oct 31st, 2020, 15:02	#5
Miguel Queiroz New Member Last Online: Nov 17th, 2020 14:13 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Edinburgh	Thank you for the valuable input. I will make one such video tomorrow, if it's not pouring. Would we be talking about this? https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/volvo...eewheel-clutch Last edited by Miguel Queiroz; Oct 31st, 2020 at 15:05.

Nov 2nd, 2020, 06:43	#8
myfirstv70 Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 17:24 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lincoln	+1 for Alternator Pulley Sounds exactly like mine did....mine gave up at 120k miles. I got a metal extension bar out of my socket set and put one end to my ear and touched the other end on the various things that might be making that noise ie power steering pump, alternator, cylinder head and its as clear as day that it's the component you have the bar up against, the pulley sounds like a bag of spanners .....don't take my word for it try it, its a lot easier than trial and error. HTH, Nobby Last edited by myfirstv70; Nov 2nd, 2020 at 06:47. Reason: More info...

Nov 14th, 2020, 16:18	#10
cheshired5 Premier Member Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Crewe	The tensioner is missing its dirt cover so the belt definitely needs to come off and each pulley checked individually. For the alternator from 1:20 in my video here. For the tensioner and idler pulleys from 16:20 in my video here. __________________ 2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles

Oct 31st, 2020, 11:30	#2
john f Senior Member Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 08:10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: worcester	Try removing the belt and let it run to see if the noise stops turn off then check for play in the alternator and check the alternator clutch pully John f

Oct 31st, 2020, 12:00	#3
Miguel Queiroz New Member Last Online: Nov 17th, 2020 14:13 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Edinburgh	Hi John, Thank you for your reply. I will do as you suggest (although I'll have to do some research to make sure I do it right). I'm typically a DIY person so I like the challenge, despite not being crazy to do things out of the reach of my skills. I have absolutely nothing against handing professional work to professionals. I've actually spent already a reasonable amount in my mechanic, with this car. But I also like to do myself, what is in my reach. Meanwhile if anyone has had a similar issue and believes in having an idea of what this could be, please do let me know so it can further point me in the right direction.

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