Ok so I own a 94 Volvo 850 sedan, and it has a coolant leak, the mechanic told me I need a new water pump and a new timing belt, now I think Im getting ripped off, all together he wants 500 for this to be done, am I getting ripped?

 

^Mileage? And turbo?

When was the TB last changed?

 

I dont know when the timing belt was last changed, I just recenetly bought the car, so I do not know its history, it has 168k miles on the odometer but it is broken so it probably has more than that, I dont know when it broke, i bought it with the odometer broken.

 

and no, it is not a turbo

 

T0-belt alone is $300.00. To get to water pump, you need to remove t-belt. IF the belt is new, he can put it back (save $50 or so), if it is worn, better to put a new belt.

 

From what I´ve read on this forum during the last year, water pumps on these cars last a long long time. That doesn´t mean it doesn´t have to be changed in your particular case.

Check on the side of the tbelt cover, there might be a sticker with the date of the last tbelt change.

My sister had the same problem as you with her Renault. Leaking coolant, mechanic changed the water pump. Finally the problem was a blown head gasket.

 

$500 sounds just a little high, but not ridiculous.

 

$500.00 sounds pretty close if he is also doing the tensioner and idler pulleys.(which should be done as well)

 

Sounds good, thanks for the help, can anyone tell me where to located my tbelt? I know absoultley nothing about cars, but then again, that's why I'm here, lol, so any help of locating the tbelt would be great, thanks.And i have no idea if hes doing the tentionar and idler pulleys, he only said i need a water pump and timing belt.

Thanks

 

The timing belt is hidden behind the Accessory drive belt. It is under the plastic cover.
Remove the coolant bottle and set it on the top of the motor.
Then remove the 12MM or 10MM(Some have a 10 and others have a 12)bolt holding the cover on the front of the engine.

Slide the cover straight up. Then you can see the belt and water pump.
The water pump is about half way done on your left side.

 

Greetings from Vermont.

First of all, have you tried to locate the leak by yourself? This does not require an expertise (though having it would help), simply start the engine and see if you can locate the leak. Make sure to put the shifter in "P" and fully set the parking brake.

Replacing the T-belt on 850 is not an easy job, unless one has the right servicing info or has done it many times (like Tech has). Now, is your mechanic of a Volvo dealer, a shop that specialises in Swedish/European cars, or just a generic shop? I would avoid having services done at generic shops when servicing Volvos or any imports.

$500 isn't a rip-off, as long asyour mechanic uses OEM parts or any high-quality parts, see the following list for OEM/high-quality parts mfg's:
1. T-belt: Continental Tech
2. Water pump: Genuine Volvo (I used German Hepu)
3. Idler pulley: Continental Tech
4. Tensioner pulley: Continental Tech
5. Hydraulic tensioner cylinder: Febi/Aisin

Items 1,3 & 4 come in one package of kit. If your mechanic allows you to supply him with parts you buy elsewhere, that might save some $$$. But again, I would avoid a generic shop in servicing Volvos.

Regards,


JPN