Volvo D5 - rustling / top end noise intruding in the cabin

[SebastienClement]

Hi, ideally looking for experiences of people with Volvo's D5 engine. I have the 163 variant in an XC70 and it seems like a very flexible engine.

One annoyance is audible top end "rustling" that is intruding in the cabin. It's not really loud, but it's there and it's bugging me. From outside the car sounds like a normal 5 cylinder diesel. No noises that worry me at all - it runs lovely and there's very little vibration through the cabin - much less than any other diesels I've had.

I've been in a Kia and Dacia both diesels that have the same top end "rustle" like someone constantly crinkling a crisp packet in the distance, but I imagined the sound deadening would be significantly better in the Volvo!

I've tried to take a video / sound recording but it's not loud enough for my phone to pick up.

Is this normal? Do I just need to readjust having come from a run of 6 cyl petrols?

[wiliferus]

I’ve got to be honest, I’ve owned a few D5s now, and I can’t relate to a rustling noise.
They are a pretty old tech diesel unit, so they’re not the most refined, especially in 163 form, but they’re a lovely engine as an all round unit.

If you can video it, I’m sure the Volvo beards may be able to help.

[MrGTI6]

Does the noise change as engine speed increases/decreases or is it more noticeable on tick-over or at certain revs?

[legless]

The top engine mount that attaches to the strut brace is quite fragile and is almost a service item - it can cause the engine to sound noisy if it's in bad shape.

[Nicks90]

As can the vacuum lower mount if it's dead.
Not all d5 had that though, but if it does and it's in good fettle, it makes a hell of a difference to refinement, such as it is in the d5

[Davie_GLA]

Almost certainly the top mount. Im not sure if the newer ones suffered from a dodgy vacuum mount like the older ones but the top mount is replaceable in situ and inexpensive.

[Truckosaurus]

legless said:

The top engine mount that attaches to the strut brace is quite fragile and is almost a service item - it can cause the engine to sound noisy if it's in bad shape.

When I had my D5 it seemed an engine mount got changed out at pretty much every service.

[wiliferus]

Truckosaurus said:

legless said:

The top engine mount that attaches to the strut brace is quite fragile and is almost a service item - it can cause the engine to sound noisy if it's in bad shape.

When I had my D5 it seemed an engine mount got changed out at pretty much every service.

Spot on. In fact I got my car back from my trusted Indy yesterday following a service and an abs fault. They’ve advised the top mount is on its last legs.
I think when I get that done I’ll have done them all, but I suppose it’s like the Forth Bridge and I’ll be back to the first one!