First post, but this forum has been hugely useful!

Just bought a 1998 v70 XC with 89k on the clock. Unfortunately, no way to ask the previous owner when they changed the timing belt or even if they did and of course the owners manual spec's it out at 70k.

What's the easiest (if any) way to see if the timing belt has been changed?
Do I need to pull the whole top end apart to check?
Or should I just step up and replace it to be safe?

I'm fairly handy and have tools, but I'm obviously not a mechanic super hero.

Thanks so much in advance!

PS- it's the B5254 Turbo engine if that helps

 

A visual inspection of the belt with the timing cover off may show up signs of deterioration, fraying, oil contamination thru oil leaks etc.
Some belts have a date of manuf' printed on them which helps but is not always the case.
Has anything been written in marker pen within the engine bay or around the timing cover area showing a date and mileage referencing a belt change?
If still in doubt you would be wise to replace it along with tensioner etc to rule out all the related issues for the long term.

 

difflock54, I did quickly look for a sticker or something like that. I'll check more thoroughly tomorrow just to see.

And date stamp may actually may make a lot of since - b/c it's old enough to drive itself, an original TB manufacture date would put it back in the nineties, but if the previous owner changed it I would assume it to be much newer.

Since I'm new to Volvos (really timing belts vs. chains), I'd probably not trust my judgement on a visual inspection & just pull the trigger on changing it.

 

Overall, because of doubt and the vehicles age, replacing with new is the safest option for you. Yes!

 

I recently picked up a 99 with 96,000 miles. The first thing I did was order a timing belt, tensioner, roller, and water pump. For a couple hundred dollars and a day's work, it was very much worth the piece of mind I gained knowing for certain that it's ready to go another 70k.

IPD USA blew me away with their customer service, so I highly recommend them.

 

OI there's no sticker, need to remove the spark plugs plastic cover, the right side top timing belt cover (just two clips on the side) and the belt will appear. Need to rotate the engine to inspect the belt over full length. If it has not cracks, most surely is not the original one.