2008 XC90 engine rumble/ grinding

120

Asked by Tyler J Sep 30, 2018 at 06:09 PM about the 2008 Volvo XC90 3.2 AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I'm currently looking at purchasing a 2008 XC90 and after taking it on a test
drive, noticed that there's a low pitched grind/ grumble that the engine makes
when accelerating. I took some time to replicate it and see under what
conditions the vehicle was making the noise and came up with this: It made
the noise under both hard and soft acceleration, the noise was not present if
the car was not in gear (absent when idling or revved in park), the
transmission was still smooth on upshifts and downshifts, the noise was
absent when coasting or maintaining speed. I checked underneath and the
exhaust seemed fine, and a mechanic checked to see if it was a loose heat
shield. Has anyone ever had an issue like this?

7 Answers

100

Yes i have the exact same issue with 09 xc90, Im worried its from the transmission. Ive done a complete fluid flush but the noise is still there, though it shifts much smoother now. It is most noticeable while climbing a hill and only in 1-2 gear. It only happens when the car is in drive. Would love to hear feedback.

10 people found this helpful.
30

I'm having the exact same problem trying to figure out getting ready to go to a Volvo mechanic looks like these cars are a piece of crap

3 people found this helpful.
120

So as it turns out the noise was from one of the engine mounts failing, causing the engine to move much more than it should have under stress. Apparently the mounts on these cars are very prone to failing (as early as 60000mi from what I read). It was estimated to me as a $600 repair so I moved on to another make and model. I hope this may help you two if you haven't already found out what's been causing your problems!

9 people found this helpful.
120

exact same noise and issue, the upper right torque mount/rod fixed it.

12 people found this helpful.
20

Agreed, Upper torque rod solved the rumbling noise for me, cheap and quick solution, such a relief!

2 people found this helpful.
40

I have the exact same issue with a growly noise in the first couple of gears and a little clunking in the right front, and guess what, I went and checked the engine torque strut and its totally loose and worn out! the part is $50 and its 2 bolts and no need to desasseble anything else. So Im going to go get the part now and replace and tell you if it is indeed that easy!

4 people found this helpful.

IVE GOT AN 2010 XC90, AND NOT ONLY DO i HAVE A LOUD GRUMBLING ,i ALSO HAVE BEEN EXPIERENCING , A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

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