We're approaching 140,000 on our Volvo and don't know when the timing belt was last done. I figure 140,000 would be a good number to do it. ( every 70,000.... It should be done eh?)

Anyhow, I currently don't have the time or resources to attempt the timing belt on my own. We called the local dealer for a price quote on our (according to the dealer) 2.5L I-5 (I was under the impression they were either 2.3 or 2.4L), and for the timing belt, tensioner and labor, we were quoted $649.... That seems a bit high to me... Is it something we could trust a local mechanic (non-Volvo dealer) to handle?

We're in a pinch for time and money, but want it done right so we don't lose the motor.

As always, thanks Volvo Guys and Gals!

 

Yeah that sounds pretty high to me. It is the type of thing I would definitely trust a good mechanic to do, but I would want one that is at least somewhat familiar with Volvo's. I would not let like a Midas shop do it. I think I paid around $300 to have mine done about three years ago.

 

$300 here in NYC area by my local mech -any decent mechanic should be able to do it right, they all now seeem to have mitchell-on-demand or some other software in case any info is needed...

 

A timing belt is a timing belt, to be honest with you. If you know how to do a timing belt on a Honda, you can EASILY do one on a Volvo. This car is not complicated at all. So, if you know and trust a mechanic, even if he/she is not a Volvo specialist, they could do it no problem. Also, your tech more than likely has access to AllData, and they can get full, detailed instructions for the Tbelt replacement off of there.

 

Remember that at 140,000, you not only have to do the t-belt, but you also have to do the hydraulic tensioner, tensioner pulley, and the idler puller... So that amounts to at least $220 in parts:
t-belt = $27
Idler pulley=$48
hydraulic tensioner=$110
tensioner pulley=$48

Also, you might consider doing the water pump while you're there, so that's another $100. So if you do all that, it's around $300 plus labor.

 

If it were my car I'd definitely change the timing belt tensioner. Tensioner failure has the same consequence as timing belt failure (bye bye engine), and they DO fail.

I'd also have the water pump inspected and probably just go ahead and change it even if it is ok.

If you don't have the cash right now put it on your credit card, but the tensioner is a must.

 

I concur with all of the above. Our 95 Turbo had 172K on it and no record of when the belt was last changed. I changed the T-belt, serpentine belt, both belt tensioners, both idler pulleys, the water pump, all radiator and heater hoses and did a full tune up at the same time. It cost me about $350 or so for all the parts and about 4 hours to do all the work.

Trust me when I say doing the timing belt is not very hard at all.

Glenn

 

Thanks for the responses. The quote was for the tensioner and timing belt, so at least that was covered, it just sounded a bit high. I'm going to do some looking and see if there's any Volvo specialists around (aside from the dealer.) I'd also consider doing it myself, because I want to learn how... but like I said, I just don't have the time right now and this is the sort of thing that just needs done.

I'll keep researching it and see what solutions I can dig up. There's got to be someone around me that does Volvo work.... I can't imagine everyone going to the dealership ( ~ 30 miles away) for their work, because I see them everywhere in town.