I am purchasing an 86 turbo wagon tomorrow and the dealer doesnt know if the timing belt has been done. Is there some department at volvo I can call and give them the vin to look up service records?

Gary

 

I don't know of a way to do that. If you're up to some detective work, perhaps you could order a carfax which would at least tell you where the car was inspected and/or serviced. Then you could call the local dealer in those areas and (very, very)nicely ask if they could pull the service records for you. I called a local dealer in my area and they faxed me over the service history which was really, really nice. I assume you checked the timing belt cover for a sticker? By the way, if you can't get the service history, assume the belt's never been changed. Cheap insurance...

 

Absolutely at 90k just change it if you can not find whether it's been done or not. It's about $300 that will be well spent and then you're good for another 70K.

 

If it is a 1986 then it is no big deal it doesn't bend valves and you can inspect the belt.
If it is a 1996 then have the belt inspected It bends Valves.

 

Many service dept of Volvo dealerships place a shiny silver sticker on top of the ECU plastic cover with the date and mileage of the timing belt.