240 alt belt squeal?

For a definite diagnosis I would have to hear the noise (and where it is coming from). send me an e-mail and i will give you my address.

OTOH, does it make the same noise when "gunning the engine while you are parked? If so, then lift the hood and listen while someone else guns the engine. Otherwise, take the car to an independent volvo specialist who knows 240s.

No definite diagnosis here because there are just too many "seems to..." for correct (aka accurate) diagnosis. We can all suggest - but then free advice might be wrong :-(

Ken Canada

Hello:

If belts look good and are correctly adjusted, my FIRM opinon is that the alternator bearings are nearly gone.

You mentioned this happened more in wet weather, right?

If I were you, I'd not drive far without having the alternator replaced or rebuilt.

If we were neighbors I'd bet my next paycheck and I am not a gambler.

My guess is that this is only an issue when it gets wet and cold, right? And sounds like a screeching maladjusted power steering belt or something like that?

Alternator..but as I've not seen the car or heard it that's only my 2 cents.

Cheerio,

Doc

Might wanna check the belt tension first. If the alternator and crank pulleys don't align then replace the bushings, if the belts are old replace them. Check the water pump shaft for play as well.

I've never even heard of a Bosch alternator having the bearings go out. Not to say it can't or never happens, but it would certainly be far down on the list of things I'd suspect. The mounting bushings are the usual failure in these cars when they get to be 15-20 years old.

Since the sound tapers off when coasting, it sure sounds like the belt itself making the noise. Others have mentioned the bushings - I forgot about those, and if they are deformed they are a prime suspect. They are available on-line ($5 apiece for stock, $8 for urethane at

Okay. Order of trouble-shooting, then: 1)Belt 2)Bushings 3)Bearings

Thanks so much, all. I knew nearly nothing about cars when I got my

On a B230F motor when there is a loud squeal that sounds like a belt but the belts are all tight suspect the crank pulley. The outer sheaves are a press fit onto the center via a rubber sleeve. Over time the sleeve cracks and the outer sheaves will rotate around the center hub making a hellacious squealing sound.

Bob

Thanks Bob!