Hi All,

Recovering from the belt change, fixed the new water pump leak and the broken ground strap to block, and NOW the PS groans once and a while when up to 80KMH or so, mostly on slight turns???

What could I have done to cause this too ;>}

I've tightened, then loosened (until it started slipping) the PS pump, and also loosened and tightened the water pump pully (to the fan). The PS fluid is fine. Everything seems related to the Timing Belt change, but what a cascade of stuff...

Thanks for any thoughts.

Greg.

Is your harmonic balancer (crank-pulley) the original one ? If so - check that the rubber damping sleeve has not deteriorated causing the pulley to turn independantly of the central-hub. One sympton of this is your timing will appear to 'walk' when checked with a timing-light even though timing is correct - because the timing mark is inscribed on the pulley. You can also check this by painting a stripe on the harmonic balancer that runs from hub to pulley-edge, running the engine and then seeing if the stripe has broken up.

I only thought of the harmonic-balancer because one (lousy) method of removing it during timing belt replacement involves clamping the outer-edge of the pulley while trying to loosen the center-bolt - which puts a lot of stress on that rubber sleeve.

Noel

Hi Noel,

This is certainly a plausible explanation. I DID use the plumbers strap (lousy I know) approach as the Volvo Dealership in Peterborough Ontario had not even heard of the Crank Pully Holder (even with Part No.) and assured me that when they checked with the mechanics they don't have/use this tool?!?

I've had the belt changed before and I'm pretty sure they must have just used an impact wrench or held the flywheel, the local garage to me at that time would NOT have had that tool I'm sure.

So, I'll check the pully for slipping. I'm guessing this would give a 'groaning' which also could be felt in the steering wheel as a high frequency vibration?

Seems to happen with steering usage though (i.e. minor left/right makes it worse)?

Almost feels like a bad bearing when it happens.

One bitten, twice shy. Use the right tool and watch the warnings!!

Greg

Groaning may be due to the pump cavitating due to a pinched hose, lack of fluid, fitting/seal leak, etc., or due to air in the PS system. To purge the air, turn the wheels back and forth lock to lock many times to work the air out. You may want to put the front end on jack stands to do it.

Thanks Jim,

I'll try the 'air purge' first. Odd how this all starts to happen after the TBelt change (and the extra movement of the PS assembly, water pupm and even somehow disturbed the block ground strap!)

Greg