Hi, I need help determining if i should get my timing belt changed or not. I drive a 1995 volvo 850 with 64k original miles. The timing belt has never been changed. Some people say i should change it at 120k and others said i should have changed it at 60k. Please i need some feedback so my timing belt doesn't go! thanks

 

IT SHOULD BE CHANGED NOW! The schedule for the 94-97 850 is every 70K miles OR five years whichever comes FIRST. Yours is WAY overdue. The 93 is every 50K.

 

is it easy to do myself (beginner) or should i hire someone to do it? what OEM parts would i need? and what is a fair price to pay overall? labor and such

 

Hi Wiz, I would agree with Jim, you must change the belt. Whenever one is unsure you should change the belt. Being that old it is most likely in need of a replacement. If by beginner, you mean you have never wrenched before, I would say don't attempt it (unless you have a good mechanical apptitude). If you can turn a wrench then it is a fairly simple process. there are many online resources as far as instruction, and details. I would guess a Volvo dealer would charge $400. Dont always trust a non Volvo shop to do work for you, as a bit of advice. A Timing belt can be purchased online/at store $40 -90, and if a tensioner was needed another $80-140 if you wanted to do it yourself. If the car has 70,000ish miles and is in good shape, do yourself and the car a favor and get that belt changed. You have many years of driving a fun, safe, reliable unit! My 1994 850 Wagon has over 300k miles and still going strong.

 

It is not the most difficult job. There is a writeup over on Volvospeed with some good pictures. At 64k all you need to replace is the belt itself. While it is not all that difficult it is a very critical item. If you mess it up it is potentially game over for the engine so you may want to ease into your shade tree mechanic career on something less critical - it depends on your confidence level after you read through the various threads on this site and others.

I do all of my own work on my cars so I really have no idea what a shop would charge. My guess is that a good indy can do it for $250.00 or less. I can get one changed in a little over an hour but I think the book time is longer than that. The belt itself costs around $25.00 but most shops will mark it up.

Tech can give you a lot better idea of what a typical shop should charge.

...Lee

 

Thank you so much for your help guys! So i should just change the belt? what about the tensioners and the water pump. The dealer was telling me i should change that. Thanks again guys

 

Is there anyone in the NYC area that can help me with this job or recommend someone trustworthy and good to do the job?

 

Odds are the tensioner is ok and that is a call you would have to make. From my experience I have replaced my timing belt 3 times and tensioner once. As far as the waterpump, they are pretty solid and unless you have coolant leak there is no need to change the pump. I have not changed mine ever, 200k miles that I have driven my 94 850 which has 300k miles. Check your area for a reputable import shop not just any old independent shop. Yes have the belt changed. Good Luck WizKid! Let us know what happens.

 

thanks guys. Truly awesome

 

My rule on timing belt changes and the rollers, the tensioner, and the water pump is every other timing belt change. Your car is an outlier due to the low mileage and frankly I don't know if the tensioner is more time based than it is mileage based. I drive a lot so mileage always gets me more than time. You can't hurt anything except your wallet by changing the tensioner unless you buy a Scan Tech replacement. Aisin or nothing. If you re-use your old tensioner it is important that it gets re-compressed very slowly.

...Lee

 

So i should get the tensioner changed? what about the water pump? should i do it to be safe>? thanks