Hello Folks,

Last year my 2012 S60 T5 developed a bit of a whistling noise when starting up cold which lessened as the car reached temp. The whistling got louder as time went on until there was a noticeable exhaust tick. I put two and two together and figured it was loose exhaust stud nuts. It took me about an hour to remove the relevant intake pipes, manifold shield, and tighten up the nuts which were indeed loose.

Here we are about a year later and the same thing is happening. Do I just do an annual "tightening of the nuts" or should I be looking at replacing studs, nuts, and exhaust manifold gasket this time around.

Thanks,

When I first read the whistling noise, that you are describing, I thought PCV. (not to remove the PCV out of the picture). You are sure that after you tightenend the bolts the noises went away? If so, I recommend getting new studs, nuts, bolts, and gasket for evverything that you had to remove, and reinstall the manifold, (be aware the exhaustr manifold gasket can be tricky mf**s.). Before you do this, get all the required torque specs, and make sure everything is GOOD! I would also check your PCV by performing the glove test.

glove test: Get a rubber glove and an elastic band. Remove the oil cap, and place and secure the glove onto the oil cap. Start the car, if the glove gets sucked in, or nothing happens and there is glove leak, CONGRATS YOUR PCV IS GOOD! If the glove blows up/inflates, your PCV is bad and need replacing!

 

Positive it isn't the PCV. Replaced along with the entire engine 30K miles ago. I used to turn wrenches for a living in my 20s so it shouldn't be too difficult to replace the manifold gasket. Just was curious if other folks had run into this.

 

Do you know if the exhaust manifold is included with new engines? I wonder if they transfer the exhaust manifold over, and then somebody didn't torque it down properly.

 

Not included. The new engine is a block\head\water pump\timing components\pcv. Everything else comes over from the old engine.

 

I have the same issue on my C30 T5. It is recommended you replace all the studs and nuts. The problem is they usually don't come out clean, and can break off, necessitating an engine out repair. I recommend this kit as it makes the studs easier to install and it's 1/4 the cost of the faulty Volvo hardware. Focus MK2 RS/ST M8 High Tensile Steel Exhaust Stud and Nut kit / Allen Key Inserts

To be honest, this is the repair I am dreading the most on doing on my car.

You should also replace the exhaust gasket itself with the 3 piece Volvo one.