chickencam Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 We have a 21 year old Volvo estate that is as good as gold normally. It has only done 85,000 miles and it is part of the family, but we may have say goodbye if it continues to screech. It has done this in the past like a lot of cars do in the winter, and a now late mechanic friend of ours told us to put some washing up liquid on the fan belt and that always sorted it out. It has continued for a few months now and has got to the point where we turn heads and frighten young children. Does anyone have any tips to help?? We don't really want to throw too much money at it though. The car has a huge roof rack and is enlessly useful, it has had beds climbing frames wardrobes and many other wierd and wonderful things carried in it and on it over the years, we would hate to have to part with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Sounds definitely like the fan belt needs adjusting or get a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 I was going to say fan belt too, sounds like your mechanic has coaxed the last use out of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 According to OH, new fan belt and adjustment. If you need advice on jam making, then PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 According to OH, new fan belt and adjustment. If you need advice on jam making, then PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 My money is on the clutch thrust bearing being worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 I had a Polo that made an awful noise and it turned out to actually be the alternator and not the fan belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Wheel bearings can also screech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 9, 2010 Author Share Posted May 9, 2010 Thanks for the info on both jam and cars, any more tips welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Start with the fan belt; easiest job first. It's amazing how many screeching belts you hear in the cold weather when they are overloaded by heaters and windscreen wipers. Clutch would be my next bet - does it screech when the clutch is let out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 Yes it does but not all the time. I think it really needs a new clutch and OH says it has 3 fan belts. It has done 80 odd thousand miles on both. We have to decide whether or not we want to spend any money on it. the car doesn't owe us anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 fair enough - new clutch would be pretty expensive on a Volvo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 11, 2010 Author Share Posted May 11, 2010 We have booked the car in on Monday for some tinkering, lets hope it will not cost a fortune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 I know nothing about cars but once had a screeching car with a cam belt slipping. Hope you manage to get it fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 24, 2010 Author Share Posted May 24, 2010 We took it to the garage and he said all it needed was some grease, which he didn't charge us for, it screeches briefly when we have started it in the heat over the weekend but it is basically better. Years ago our mechanic now sadly deceased told us to use washing up liquid. but aparently this now makes it worse because they took the salt out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
