Just bought a used 2001 S60 5sp with 81000 miles, when should I start thinking about replacing the timing belt, water pump, tension and idler? Also, will the 2.3 destroy it’s self if the timing belt breaks while driving?
Regards-

 

I would recommend changing your belt and tensioner and idler pulley, some say you should also change your water pump while your in there....better to be safe than have to go back in to replace the pump later...because your engine is an Interference Engine… If your timing belt breaks, the engine will continue to turn, but the camshaft stops. If any of the valves are open, and your engine is an interference engine, the piston will slam into the open valve and cause some real expensive damage. Most modern engines are built with very close tolerances, and to squeeze every last bit of power into a small package, engine manufacturers sometimes create issues with clearances.

Here are some tips when replacing your timing belt….

1. If your timing belt also drives your water pump, change your water pump at the same time as the belt. It’s cheap insurance.
2. Often times a gas filled tensioner is used to keep the belt tight. This should be replaced as well… again cheap insurance.
3. Keep oil and water away from the new belt. Keeping the belt clean and free from dirt will assure a long life for the belt.
4. Working on a DOHC (dual overhead cam) engine, or a SOHC V-6 you may need an extra set of hands! A factory service manual is a great resource, and should be followed to the letter when changing a timing belt. manuals from Alldata can be found here… http://www.autoeducation.com/tsb.htm

 

Volvo recommends changing at 105K, but just about everyone does it at 75K. Yes it will bend your valves if it breaks. As patsfn2 said, it's cheap insurance to change it.

 

Just changed mine @ 103K (02 s60 2.4T, just got the car ).
old belt was pretty stretched and full of tiny micro fractures \ cracks.