05 S40 T5 Whistling Noise, I don't think it's the breather box/flame trap

[smithbd]

A little background: 

2005 Volvo S40 T5, 114k miles, timing belt done, blown head resurfaced at 109k.

I have been reading up on the notorious whistling sound of the pcv, flame trap, breather box, etc etc; however, when I remove the engine oil cap, the whistling does not disappear, nor does it disappear when I remove the dipstick. As I'm writing, I guess I could have removed both simultaneously, but I didn't test that. 

Anyway, since I didn't buy the volvo from a volvo shop, I am concerned they may have missed something. The sound has definitely become more pronounce since 5 thousand miles ago, but it doesn't fit the diagnostics people have mentioned for the recall. I also don't think it is an belt, since it is consistent. If it were a deeper tone, it would sound like it was droning on perfectly with no dips in pitch etc etc. 

If you guys have any ideas, I would love to hear them! Also, if you're some super human and can discern other issues from the sounds, feel free to speculate. 

Here are some sound files. I don't know if you can hear the sound I am talking about, but maybe my mic just can't pick it up. The sound is very real though, I can hear it with the door/window open when I come to a stop

https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...G8?usp=sharing

Thanks for the help everyone <3 

-Beau

[Ihatespeedbumps]

I'm really having a hard time hearing all of your recordings, even with headphones on. Could you take a short video of the noise? The head was just recently off, why?

[Ol' Dirty Noodle]

14 minutes ago, Ihatespeedbumps said:

 The head was just recently off, why?

Says blown head, guess he means head gasket

[smithbd]

Yes, sorry. I meant gasket. The last owners didn't take the best care of this car judging by the transmission flush I did, some of the body dings, etc. Anyway, it was the leaky head gasket that made them sell it, which was replaced after the head was resurfaced. In other words, this car has seems some love and abuse, I just want to make sure the whistle isn't the sound of impending doom 😉

I've had a few people suggest it's one of the tensioner pulleys. What do we think about this? 

I will try and get better audio. My phone has a hard time picking it up, but everyone and their mother can hear it. Maybe video will be better :) 

 

 

 

[Ihatespeedbumps]

I was thinking the drive belts, but wanted a little more info on the car. Start by removing 1 drive belt at a time and see if the noise goes away. You can also check the condition of the pulleys at that time as well.

[smithbd]

Any good videos on how to remove a belt? Will I need specific tools? 

[savannahvolvoguy]

On 10/6/2016 at 4:44 PM, Ihatespeedbumps said:

Start by removing 1 drive belt at a time and see if the noise goes away.

I hope this is not already too late.

I'm not super familiar with the S40 engines to know if there's more than one accessory belt, but just in case it wasn't obvious "one belt at a time" does NOT include the timing belt. When I hear "whistling noise" I think vacuum leak. Could even be one small enough that it doesn't cause the engine to become grumpy (as long as it doesn't exceed the long term fuel trim max). Sometimes those vacuum leaks can be so loud that you hear them even with the windows up and doors closed.

Has there been any resolution on this?

[Ihatespeedbumps]

On 11/4/2016 at 2:45 PM, smithbd said:

Any good videos on how to remove a belt? Will I need specific tools? 

Super easy, you need a torx t50 or 55 (can't remember) and a 3/8" ratchet with extension. Take off the passenger wheel, lift up the fender looking lining and you"lol be able to see both tensioner.