Hi everyone I hope to get some good advice here on how important it is to change the timing belt. I also want to know what happens if it breaks.

 

Welcome to the forum.

On many engines, when the timing belt breaks the pistons & valves will move out-of-sequence and they will collide against each other, which would require a major repair/replacement of the head and in some cases pistons as well. Some Volvos come with engines that do not have this problem, but many Volvo engines are "Interference" design, means you'd better replace the timing belt at every 70,000 miles or 5 years.

I hope this answers your question.


JPN

 

Thanks JPN as that was very good information. I am having the timing belt changed today and finishing up on monday. My odometer reads 154000 am I lucky? I don't know if it had been done before. Are there any symptoms or does it just break. My mechanic said there would be major problems just as you described so I wanted to be safe than sorry. Thanks mstrplmber

 

Wow, you ARE lucky.

Tech has posted some pics of what can happen to the heads when the timing belt snaps (you can find it stickied near the top of most sub-forums). The timing belt doesn't always give you warning signs when it's going to go which is why its so important to stick to a schedule. With all this talk of late regarding timing belts, I think its about that time to have mine done.. I don't think I'll press my luck.

 

Thanks again I feel better now. I may have other questions about my car because I am getting such good advice in this forum. As a matter of fact my key fob only works sometime, I have had the battery checked and volvo says it is good. If I press extra hard it seems to get results about 60% of the time anyone have any suggestions? mstrplmber

 

I wonder if the contacts are just dirty. They have such tiny screws I haven't been able to peekinside ofone. If you have the opportunity, I say open it up and check on it.

Did you only get the one key fob? If you have another I would see how well that one works.

 

I only have one, how do you suggest I clean the contacts. I am having trouble getting the screw out it seems to be a star pattern head. I am headed to the hardware store now. I will await your response. Thanks mstrplmber

 

Hi 01_FAST_RIDE Have you done any after market additions to make your 01 faster? Thanks mstrplmber

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Thanks Killa Cam, I looked at your S-80. Sharp car. mstrplmber