Hi all,
Just picked up a nice low mileage XC40 R-Design from a Volvo main dealer. Loving the car, but worried about the distinct rattle (tappety noise) I can hear from the engine on acceleration in the rev range 2000 to 4000 rpm. Higher revs it goes away, cruising no strange noises, idle no noises. Performance is fine. I took it back and a Volvo tech came for a drive and said it was completely normal for this 3-cylinder engine and not to worry. However, I can't help feeling that there is something not quite right with it? Do they all do this? I've never driven a 3-cylinder engine before so not sure whether to worry or not. I have 30 days to exchange it under the selekt programme if not happy..so not sure whether to live with it or go back for a further chat with the dealer. Any thoughts from T3 owners? Many thanks!
T3 R-Design Engine rattle
The rattling sound between 2000 and 4000 rpm is normal for a 3-cylinder engine. Every 3-cylinder engine car I drove, VW, Ford, Skoda had it, my missus new Lexus LBX has it. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.
2020 T4 FWD Momentum Pro Sensus OS
But why are they rattlely compared with say a four cylinder?
2023 B4 Plus Dark FWD in Silver Dawn. Tinted Rear Windows. Spare Wheel & Tow Bar dealer fitted.
Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
https://www.carthrottle.com/news/heres- ... er-engines
“In a three-pot, piston one (the front piston) reaches TDC while the other two are 120 degrees away from either TDC or bottom dead centre (BDC). This means that the primary and secondary forces are balanced vertically, but the torque over the reciprocating pistons is not matched in unison like in an I6. Instead, the engine is trying to naturally rotate and flip over on itself. So to avert this, a balancing shaft is needed to counteract the twisting force. The torque inbalance makes for a rattling powertrain as the engine tries to rock from end-to-end, even when balanced as much as physically possible. This is due to the weight of the balancing shaft that the crankshaft has to work against, making these engines less free-revving than their more-balanced counterparts.”
2020 T4 FWD Momentum Pro Sensus OS
Que?eugen61 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2024 5:22 pmhttps://www.carthrottle.com/news/heres- ... er-engines
“In a three-pot, piston one (the front piston) reaches TDC while the other two are 120 degrees away from either TDC or bottom dead centre (BDC). This means that the primary and secondary forces are balanced vertically, but the torque over the reciprocating pistons is not matched in unison like in an I6. Instead, the engine is trying to naturally rotate and flip over on itself. So to avert this, a balancing shaft is needed to counteract the twisting force. The torque inbalance makes for a rattling powertrain as the engine tries to rock from end-to-end, even when balanced as much as physically possible. This is due to the weight of the balancing shaft that the crankshaft has to work against, making these engines less free-revving than their more-balanced counterparts.”
2024 C40 Single Motor RWD Plus.
I've had a number of Triumph motorbikes which were/are lovely and smooth but I suppose once you reach a certain size this problem kicks in.
2023 B4 Plus Dark FWD in Silver Dawn. Tinted Rear Windows. Spare Wheel & Tow Bar dealer fitted.
Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
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Thanks very much for your replies. Good to hear it is probably a 'normal' rattle! It seems some T3's don't do this and some do and in both cases it is considered normal. Some of those with similar issues also seem to be with the R-Design model, but I undersand has exactly the same T3 engine is in all other trims which is a bit odd.
The question now for the wife I is..can we get used to it?.
The question now for the wife I is..can we get used to it?.
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jul 31, 2024 1:25 pm
I took another T3 for a drive and the engine sound on acceleration was very similar mine but not as loud and no distinct taping. Fluttering is a good way of describing it as others have noted. The 'normal' fluttering of the T3 engine might be hitting something in the engine bay on mine? Back for another investigation with Volvo dealer I guess..