Click Noise When Running

Hi all,

I have a 1998 Volvo V70XC that I am trying to sell, but things keep
going wrong! For the last few months it makes a clicking noise all the
time when it is running. The noise increases with the RPMs, so I
originally thought it was just a problem with a stick in a fan or
something in the engine. But it's gone on for so long that I would
think it would have become dislodged by now. My mechanic told me it
was nothing to worry about (I haven't decided if I believe that or
not), but now the check engine light is on so I'm going to have to
take it in again anyway, I'll have to talk to him.

Anyone here have any ideas what it could be? I did a search of the
group and the only things that come up concern the air conditioning
compressor. It's definitely not the air conditioning; the problem
started in mid-December and has continued -- I haven't turned on the
AC yet. Also, the sound is constant, not just when the climate control
fan is running.

Thanks for any help!

 

Friad you will have to give more details. Clicking? From where? Loud, quiet,
inside, out? ??

Tim..

 

Friad you will have to give more details. Clicking? From where? Loud, quiet,

Just a steady click click click that increases with the RPMs. It's
fairly quiet inside the car but easily noticeable outside. Sounds like
it's definitely coming from the engine compartment, possibly the
passenger side.

Thanks!

 

Exhaust manifold leak? That usually makes a tick tick tick sound.

 

That is a very good point - and a disturbing possibility. Exhaust at that
point is still loaded with CO. The sound of an exhaust leak around the
manifold sounds amazingly like metal tapping, but an expert can probably
tell the difference.

Exhaust leaks often (but not always) quiet down in the first minute or two
of warm-up; that applies if the leak is from a broken stud or loose nut.
They also are louder when the throttle is opened, but if it can't be heard
from inside the car that doesn't help much.

Many muffler shops will inspect for leaks free of charge, in hopes of
finding a customer ;-) In this case a repair should not be put off - it's a
health issue.

Mike (who remembers his own hospitalization from CO poisoning)

 

If this is a FWD volvo, then all of the accessory drives are on that
side. It could be a tensioner or belt idler bearing. These noises can
be hard to figure out!

 

If this is a FWD volvo, then all of the accessory drives are on that

Well it's the XC, so it's AWD (it has the badging on the back, too).
But I should hear from the mechanic Monday or Tuesday; hopefully he'll
have a solution.

 

We just got it checked out...the gas cap was all that needed
replacing, the seal was cracked on the inside. Only a simple $30 job.
The mechanic again said that the click click noise was nothing to
worry about, and I listened to my neighbor start his V70XC (he has a
1999, I have a 1998) and it sounded exactly the same. He said it's
been doing it since he bought it and he never thought anything of it.

So I guess it's not a concern. Thanks for the help though.