Hey guys. New to this forum and new to Volvo. I've driven a 240 sedan and 940 sedan back in the day, friend of the family's ride, and know how great these cars can be.

I just bought and oldie but goodie, (1990 240 DL Wagon---her name is sweetie) from a friend who didn't take good care of her, but I can tell she's a good car and is just begging for someone to bring her back to great. Another friend of mine, who knows a great deal more about cars than I do, has looked it over to confirm that with a little TLC my sweetie will be a good ride for me.

I am doing work on her bit by bit and kind of learning as I go along with occasional over the phone help from my pops who is a mechanic. I'm about to order a timing belt kit to replace the old one. Just think it would be a good thing to do. Anyhow, I am coming across kits that do not have the idler pulley in them and want to know if anyone has ever replaced a timing belt on a model similar to mine and if an idler pulley is even needed.

The kit contains the following and I am curious if this all would suffice:

271713 OEM Continental Timing Belt
463633 OEM INA Timing Belt Tensioner
Elring Front Crank Seal 1276424
Elring Front Cam Seal 6842273
Elring Front Intermediate Shaft Seal 6842273

Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks!!

 

just did the belt on a 940 2.3 engine after it broke. I got every bit of life out of it. There is a plastic knock out on the timing belt cover to retension the idler that I wish I had known about. I may have gotten some more months out of it. I opted to change the idler with it. The old idler was working ok but when I spun with my hand off the engine it had a rattle to the bearings like it needed lube and some play. The new idler was tight. I would say it is worth the extra bucks and get a kit with the idler. I did not change the seals since they were not leaking. I got the cheapest i could find . It was about $38 for belt and Idler at rockauto

It took me about 6 hours since I had not done this job before and it took 2 people to get the belt lined up. I could do it in 2-3 hours now.. SC

 

The kit you show lists

463633 OEM INA Timing Belt Tensioner

This is the same thing as an idler pully. This kit has all you need for the timing belt. However, when I do a timing belt, I usually replace all of the accessory drive belts at the same time. Also, when you have it apart, you may want to check to see if your water pump needs replacement. The fan is bolted right to the water pump. Once you remove the drive belts, check the pump pully for up & down play. If there is any play, I would replace the pump. Likewise, if you notice any antifreeze leaking from the pump, most likely it needs replacement.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the tips and input. I think I am just going to compile the parts I will need, accessory drive belts and the timing belt kit before trying to tackle it. Didn't think to look at the water pump either. I don't think there is any leakage of antifreeze, but I will look at that too.

Thanks again!!