Odd noise in 240

Ok, I've seen this question asked a couple of times, but not with
enough info to fully describe it so it could be answered.

I have an 89 240 DL. A couple days ago it started making a strange
whining noise when running at 50 mph and above. It is not a grinding
noise like a bearing or brake pad. It is not the hum from a fuel pump
issue. It is not the squeal of a belt slipping. It is more like an
electric whine that comes from the front of the passenger side. Upon
hitting 50 mph it starts like a small electric motor spinning up to
high rpms until it gets to a steady high pitched whine. Then if I let
off the gas, it sounds like it is spinning down. My wife compares it
to the sound of a tiny jet landing when decelerating. When I try
revving the engine, while parked, to an equivalent rmp I do not get
the sound. I'm sure it's not the fuel pumps because I've just
replaced both and am very familiar with the pump noise. I'm also
familiar with belt squeals, brakes grinding and bearing noise and
that's not the type of noise I'm hearing.

This is stumping me so any help will be appreciated.

 

Could be a universal joint. They make some weird noises.

bf

 

I'd guess a wheel bearing is going bad. You can test it by carefully
doing lane change-type sideways turns while it's making the noise: if it
gets louder going one way and softer the other, it's a wheel bearing.
If, on the other hand, it gets worse when accelerating or decelerating,
and lessens while going a steady speed, the driveshaft carrier bearing
is the likely culprit. Universal joints are more likely to vibrate than
make noise, at least at first.

 

Could it be tires?

 

Tires would probably make the same noise at the same speed,
regardless of of throttle. You seem to have a load-dependent noise.
Frankly, the description puzzles me.

 

Ok, after thinking it over I came up with two likely possibilities:


1. The differential is low on oil, and/or the gears in it are worn.

2. (More likely) the trailing arm bushings are worn, allowing the rear
end to move forward and back slightly under load. When it moves back,
the carrier bearing complains. Our 240 actually had this happen; I
wouldn't have described the noise as you did, but I can see why you might.

 

Is the heat on? On both my 1990 244 and my wife's 1993 245, there's a
whistle or whine in the heating system, which generally only occurs at
highway speeds. If I move the thermostat lever a bit it temporarily
goes away.

 

Thanks for the replies and the time and thought put into them.

I apologize for the odd description I gave. I'm having an issue
relating it because I've never come across it before. The more I
listen to it the more it seems to sound like some kind of pressure
leak. To describe it another way, which is still rather vague, is to
liken it to a tea kettle. Once I've driven 50 mph or higher for a
couple miles I hear a build up to a steady whining noise. If I
release the throttle the whine slowly diminishes. Like taking a tea
kettle that is whistling off the heat. To describe the actual noise
the best I can do is compare it to the engine noise (the hum) you
might hear through poorly wired radio speakers, only clearer and
higher pitched. I know it seems juvenile but it sounds just like a
tea kettle going off in my car.

I thought about the radio, turned it off. Considered the air system,
turned off the fan and closed the diaphragm for the outside air. I
closed all the windows. Still get the noise.

I keep coming back to it sounding like some kind of pressure leak.
The problem with that is I can find no sign of any kind of leak much
less one that only happens at high speeds.

As for bearings, the sound is steady taking curves left or right, if
that tells you anything. The rest of what you've described is beyond
my knowledge so I can't confirm or discount it. Looks like I have
some reading up to do.

 

Perhaps one of the vacuum hoses to the heater and related ducting is
loose or has a hole in it.

 

You can probably rule out wheel bearings. That leaves you with a
driveshaft carrier bearing complaining (they can do that for years
without failing), or, another possibility, an alternator bearing that is
just starting to go. We also had that happen, and the noise did *sort
of* fit your description. Or it's something else entirely. ;-(

 

Try this test. Pull the fuse (3#) and see if it goes away. Put the button
controls on recirculate (Far right button only) to keep outside air from
getting in and turning the fan.

Even though the fan switch is off it still spins at a low speed.

All my heater fan bearing failures in three 245's started with that whine.

My 90 currently has a small exhaust gasket leak between the manifold and
pipe leading to the cat that sounds the same. Only it goes away once
everything is hot.

Duane

 

That is exactly the sound our cars make. When it's happening, try
moving the slider for the heater.

 

i know this post is old, but im having the same strange noise from my 89 240 wagon. was this ever resolved? if so, what was it?

 

HI, WAS THIS ISSUE EVER RESOLVED? I along with many others are having the same exact issue, so was it in fact the carrier bearing on the drive shaft? How can we be certain, what are the other symptoms? or is this problem possibly related to not having an underpin on the bottom front since I like many others were to lazy to put it back on. Someone please help!! thanks

 

Another Volvo owner (1993 245) having same problem --- that 'sound'! Luke D. - your post is almost a year old: did you resolve issue? And what was it? S.O.S.! Am so looking forward to more feedback ....

 

Hi AlaskanPrincess,
yes I solved the issue by simply putting some good quality grease around the center bearing area. try to get under the car well so that you have good access to it and spalm it around the area. But yes, thats where the noise is coming from certainly, that center bearing on the shaft

 

Sounds like you need to replace driveshaft carrier bearing and housing. Take it to a Volvo expert!