Hi.

I posted on here a while ago about the my CVT being rather load, especially when cold. It's got a louder whine than normal.

I have looked through the diagnostics manual I have and all it says is replace the belts or the CVT units, but they are all fine. New belts, oil levels fine etc.

Are the belts directional because it doesn't seem to be as bad when I reverse. I might try changing them round and see if that makes a difference, but if anybody can offer any other suggestions I would be grateful.

Cheers

Did you check whether they were Roflex belts or Volvo ones? Roflex ones have lots of yellow writing on them like this


Volvo ones are plain:


I have Roflex ones on my 1985 vario, and they are really noisy. The Volvo ones on my 1977 are much much quieter, and you're not really conscious of them. So much so, that I am going to swap the Roflex ones on the 85 for Volvo ones, and hope that reduces the noise.

I think that there may also be noise if the pulleys are rusty.

I don't think the belts are directional, though I'm happy to stand corrected. It may be as simple as you're going more slowly in reverse!

Thank for your reply.

They are genuine Volvo ones and I have the receipt for purchase in November 2011. Pulleys are all smooth and shiney.

I have been told it's because the genuine ones have a steel belt in them which runs close to the edge to prevent them squashing, but Iv not had the opportunity to listen to anybody else's who is running genuine belts.

Guess I'll just have to accept the noise.

I don't remember ever having seen a steel belt in any, and I'm sure some were volvo ones.

Apparently it was introduced in the later production of the 340 and subsequent belts. So Iv heard anyway.

Volvo belts aren't noisy. Roulunds are (noisier). It's a relative thing though.

Havin-a-tug wrote:I have been told it'

Havin-a-tug wrote:So Iv heard anyway.

Cut a belt across the way and have a look for yourself. I've never seen any.

S10NPH wrote:I have Roflex ones on my 1985 vario, and they are really noisy.

Sion, that car has a strange high-pitched whistle to it. I don't think a lot of that noise is related to the belts, but I could be wrong.

I wish I could remember where I read it.

Ok, here's what might have happened. Someone, somewhere down the line has conflated two different things.

Exhibit A:
DSCF1160 by macplaxton, on Flickr

A "Variomatic" belt, basically a "rubber" belt. (a puller belt)

Exhibit B (the big belt in the middle):
DSCF3748.JPG by macplaxton, on Flickr
DSCF3749.JPG by macplaxton, on Flickr

A "Transmatic" belt, a steel "belt" made up of lots of metal link plates bound together with metal band(s) either side to hold the whole lot together. (a pusher belt)

I don't know what's happened, but I do know I have one with new genuine belts that's noisier than the one with genuine belts which are in need of replacement.

I have been told by a Daf enthusiast that the genuine belts are made of harder rubber therefore are noisier than then aftermarket belts.

Incidently, does anyone know where you can buy the aftermarket belts. I may consider changing them on the one in need before I sell it.