4.3 GXi-J with DPS-A howling sound

[saaristo]

Following problem - there is a howling or humming sound when on plane. It's not there when you rev the engine in neutral, so probably coming from the drive, right? Or is there a possibility it's still the engine but appears only under load? U-joints are changed, gimbal bearing changed, raw water pump and balancer changed, tensioner changed, belt changed. In the video, perhaps most evident around 17...18 sec mark, but actually there from the beginning. Any ideas? Video seen below.

 

[alldodge]

I would be looking at the drive
Correct fluid used and at level?

 

[saaristo]

I would be looking at the drive
Correct fluid used and at level?

Drive fluid level correct, no milky shade or metal shavings or anything. However, I have no clue what oil it is since the mechanic did it. Only thing I see that the color is sort of bluish or slightly greyish. Could yhe make of fluid cause such an impact on sound?

 

[Lou C]

Bluish sounds like they may have used the Mercury High Performance gear lube which may not be the best choice for the Volvo although I don’t know what color the OE Volvo gear oil is. I have heard reports on some forums that the later model Volvos used straight cut gears which naturally make more noise. Has it been this way since you’ve owned it?

 

[saaristo]

Bluish sounds like they may have used the Mercury High Performance gear lube which may not be the best choice for the Volvo although I don’t know what color the OE Volvo gear oil is. I have heard reports on some forums that the later model Volvos used straight cut gears which naturally make more noise. Has it been this way since you’ve owned it?

Yes it has always been the same, hence all the parts that have been changed but little to no effect on sound. It's 2008 so does that make it later model? Also, I have heard the V6 Volvos and Mercs tend to produce sort of "screaming" sound compared to V8-s but that sort of jetplane sound is kinda annoying to ears.

 

[Andrew W]

Yes it has always been the same, hence all the parts that have been changed but little to no effect on sound. It's 2008 so does that make it later model? Also, I have heard the V6 Volvos and Mercs tend to produce sort of "screaming" sound compared to V8-s but that sort of jetplane sound is kinda annoying to ears.

I have the exact same engine, 2008 4.3 gxi-j, and it makes the same sound, maybe not as pronounced as that, but annoying nonetheless.

 

[Lou C]

I looked at some pictures of the gears used in the SXA series and they are indeed square cut gears not like the more typical gears used in the SX series. Like a heavy duty racing transmission they may be inherently noisier. As long as there are no unusual wear particles I don’t think I’d be concerned.

 

[Scott06]

I have the exact same engine, 2008 4.3 gxi-j, and it makes the same sound, maybe not as pronounced as that, but annoying nonetheless.

Sounds just like my friends 4.3 has a distinctive howl

 

[Lou C]

My 4.3 4bbl Cobra sounds similar but the Cobra drive itself is very quiet. However with the extra strength of square cut gears I wouldn’t mind a little noise