My Whining 1983 Volvo GL (or 240DL)!

Jan 14th, 2005, 02:06

Hi all!
I am the proud owner of a 1983 Volvo GL (or 240DL if you prefer). Love the car - owned it since 2001. Bought it with 184,000 miles. Now approximately 225,000. I'm having a problem when driving at freeway/highway/expressway speeds in excess of say 50 miles per hour, when I get a high pitched whining sound. I unfortunately cannot tell whether it comes from underneath the car, the front or the rear. It only occurs at usually 50 mph or above (thus on freeway only) and it tends to be intermittent. In other words, it may go away for days, weeks or a month or so at a time, and then reappear. Wondering if it may be my drive shaft, improper belt tightening, or any other issue. Would certainly appreciate hearing from anyone who may have had a similar problem in their Volvo (or other car for that matter). Thank you in advance.
Sincerely, Whi(ne) me! (volvogl)

Clifford Pope · Jan 14th, 2005, 08:37

The first step is to ascertain whether it comes from the transmission or the engine - ie engine speed or road speed related. Try decluching when it happens, and letting the engine revs drop. If it is still there, it is somewhere in the transmission line, not a belt or water pump.
Having established that, my first bet would be the central prop shaft mounting bearing - the one held inside the floppy rubber doughnut. You can drop the support member easily and test the ball race in situ by spinning it. I have several times given a new lease of life to one that sounded dry or rough just by injecting a bit of oil inside the plastic seal.

If engine, well, it could be water pump, belts, alternator, steering pump. Try removing the belts and testing individually.

Jan 14th, 2005, 17:21

Thanks Clifford! I'll check both transmission and engine. It's an automatic, but I'll check them anyway. Water pump and alternator have been recently replaced. Bearings have likely not been replaced, at least since I've owned it. I'll try that with the belts etc which have been replaced approx one year ago, but may need "re-tensioning" if you know what I need. Thx.

Jan 14th, 2005, 17:22

EDIT: "retensioning" if you know what I "mean".

Jan 14th, 2005, 02:06	#1
volvogl Guest Location:	My Whining 1983 Volvo GL (or 240DL)! Hi all! I am the proud owner of a 1983 Volvo GL (or 240DL if you prefer). Love the car - owned it since 2001. Bought it with 184,000 miles. Now approximately 225,000. I'm having a problem when driving at freeway/highway/expressway speeds in excess of say 50 miles per hour, when I get a high pitched whining sound. I unfortunately cannot tell whether it comes from underneath the car, the front or the rear. It only occurs at usually 50 mph or above (thus on freeway only) and it tends to be intermittent. In other words, it may go away for days, weeks or a month or so at a time, and then reappear. Wondering if it may be my drive shaft, improper belt tightening, or any other issue. Would certainly appreciate hearing from anyone who may have had a similar problem in their Volvo (or other car for that matter). Thank you in advance. Sincerely, Whi(ne) me! (volvogl)

Jan 14th, 2005, 08:37	#2
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 12:45 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	RE: My Whining 1983 Volvo GL (or 240DL)! The first step is to ascertain whether it comes from the transmission or the engine - ie engine speed or road speed related. Try decluching when it happens, and letting the engine revs drop. If it is still there, it is somewhere in the transmission line, not a belt or water pump. Having established that, my first bet would be the central prop shaft mounting bearing - the one held inside the floppy rubber doughnut. You can drop the support member easily and test the ball race in situ by spinning it. I have several times given a new lease of life to one that sounded dry or rough just by injecting a bit of oil inside the plastic seal. If engine, well, it could be water pump, belts, alternator, steering pump. Try removing the belts and testing individually.

Jan 14th, 2005, 17:21	#3
volvogl Guest Location:	RE: My Whining 1983 Volvo GL (or 240DL)! Thanks Clifford! I'll check both transmission and engine. It's an automatic, but I'll check them anyway. Water pump and alternator have been recently replaced. Bearings have likely not been replaced, at least since I've owned it. I'll try that with the belts etc which have been replaced approx one year ago, but may need "re-tensioning" if you know what I need. Thx.

Jan 14th, 2005, 17:22	#4
volvogl Guest Location:	RE: My Whining 1983 Volvo GL (or 240DL)! EDIT: "retensioning" if you know what I "mean".

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