Hi Guys,

Liam from Montreal (well, from South Africa by way of Ireland) here.
I used to frequent vpcuk.org when I lived in Ireland, where a mate and I both had 854 T5s...only to find my father in law has an 855 and my dad wound up buying an 854 and 480 turbo! It runs in the family?

Anyway, my old Saab gave up the ghost (rear shockmount found its way into the trunk, outside world was visible from inside...) and I bought a 2001 S40 with 120k on the clock for what I believe was a song - bargained the seller down to $2100, due to some work needing doing.
I believe the turbo has siezed, so I'm in the process of rebuilding one, which'll go in along with a PCV system cleanout.

So, just had the timing belt done today, and there's a leaking cam seal...no, I am not paying the rude garage $900 for the privilege! One sunday'll do it.

Here goes!

L

 

Hi L and welcome to the wonderful world of Volvo. Sounds like you already have a handle on things.

 

Question - the garage mentioned that the pulley needs to be replaced because it's leaking onto the timing belt. I'll do the PCV soon (next week) - perhaps along with the seals. I know it's best to do this ASAP as it may damage the belt more....but will 2-3 weeks really make that much of an ordeal?

L

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

I think an oil soaked belt will not last long. Oil will reduce their life dramatically. I changed my daughters belt when it got wet. I seen one guy lock the belt to a cam and replace the seal by removing a cam sprocket and putting it back on without totally removing the belt. The thing about it is the mechanic should have replaced it when he had the belt off. Would have taken him 15 minutes max.

You should be find for a few weeks as long as the seal doesn't fall out. I seen ours leaking and about 9 days later it was out so far that it leaked 2-1/2 quarts in 2 miles. Just don't put your foot in it. When you do it, replace the belt again.

 

That's what I'd planned, along with the tensioners etc... Makes no sense to have it apart only to skip the belt! I feel a bit iffy now, having paid $350 for, essentially, nothing. A blown engine though....