Hello All, Happy Holidays,

I recently purchased a 95 850, and did a ton of maintenance. It was difficult to see the timing/alignment marks on the crank pulley (even with the damper removed). I lined up the best I could, not to diss volvo here, but the so called alignment marks on the plastic cover for the cam gears is pretty weak too. I did not move anything while disassembly/reassembly.

My question is will this engine run seemingly well if either the intake or exhaust is off by one tooth?

The reason I ask is that I am also trying to track down why the fuel economy is so poor. I have a 98 V70 AWD Turbo and get about 440 miles per tank. This FWD non turbo 850 can only get about 380 on a tank. Referencing the ops manuals the tanks are both the same size. I have done cap/rotor/wires/plugs, PCV, air filter, fuel filter. Checked fuel pressure, good. No codes in ECU. I haven't changed oxygen sensors becuase they should code out if bad. I wonder if the cam timing is off.

Thanks, Todd
98 V70 AWD, 219K miles, currently for sale
95 850 Wagon, 155K
97 BMW 740il
90 BMW M3, 24K miles,custom intercooled turbo
04 Toyota Sequioa, 40K
84 Porsche 944, 52K
27 Ford Model T

 

Off one tooth should be fine. Well at least not hurt anything. 380 miles on a tank is very good, 440 is great. Some tanks I only get 350 and others I can get just over 400. Don't think I have ever gotten 440 though. I'm getting right around 23 mpg in combined highway/city driving. Some people get high teens in these cars while others get high 20's. No two of them are the same from what I can tell.

 

I am at 130k miles. The previous owner seemed to have done maintenance every 4000 miles before I got the car.

Do you think I need a timing belt change? The other day, something very strange happened.

There was a whistling in the passenger side front and then I let off my gas and it stopped. However, there was a powerloss. I pressed the gas but I wasn't going very fast. The speedo was really really off too.

Everything seems to be perfect now tho...

 

It is due at 140,000 miles get it inspected.

 

Hello Todd,

Greetings from Chicagoland.

There is actually a large notch on the crank pulley that is easy to see. Haynes Manual doesn't mention this, but it's there. If not, you can create your own with correction fluid or something.

As for the cam pulley marks, I used correction fluid to make them stand out.

It is a good idea to replace the following items at every other timing belt change:

1. Belt
2. Water pump
3. Idler pulley
4. Tensioner pulley
5. Tensioner cylinder (hydraulic damper)

After the service, turn the crank pulley by hand for 3~5 revolutions. If you don't notice any detent, the timing should be fine.

Happy Holidays to you too,


JPN