I have a 93 850 auto...timing belt snapped @ 160km/h...so uh..what are my chances the engine isn't destroyed? Is there any way to check before i start sinking cash into it? And in the worst case scenario, would it be more cost effective to repair or replace the engine?

Thanks

 

First off, yes your engine is going to have a lot of damage. Because the Volvo engine is an interference engine, with out the timing belt the all the valves and cylinders start beating the crap out of each other.

Worst case scenario, you buy a new engine, but depending on the price, you might as well buy a new Volvo. I would have the engine looked at first, See how many valves/cylinders have been damaged, because they can be replaced. From what i have read valves go for about $300 a pop installed.

-Matt

 

Bottom end will be fine -- Pistons, Rings, Crank, Main bearings.
Upper end will have a few problems -- Bent valves in the cylinder head.

Search for JimW post from a couple of months ago. Cylinder head will need to be removed. Valves replaced. Possible new valve springs. Not that bad to do. Work can be done by most engine machine shops. Shouldn't be any more than $1,500, depending upon how much of the work that you can do yourself.

 

Plan on spending $1500 at least if you take the head off yourself and put it back on yourself. If I remember correctly the gaskets alone cost around $500. It's not that hard to do, but it's not a piece of cake either. I would not have done it had it not been for my son inlaw being a GMC mechanic and he did most of the work the first time I took it off. Then we tried to start it when the timing was not right and bent two valves. Had to take the head back off and I did that one myself because I had watched him. If you are not pretty mechanically inclined, don't try it yourself.

Going that fast when it broke might have even damaged the head. I think you can get a new head for around $1500 from the dealer. If you take it to a Volvo service shop look to spend close to $3,000. Make sure the car is worth that.

 

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You might also be able to find a used Head for pretty cheap.

Do some research.

 

As a reminder... The Valve Cover has cam towers/caps that must correspond with head. In other words, the head and valve cover are kept together in pairs.

 

Well the good news is i got a chance to pull the head off and i only bent 16 out of twenty valves.In my quest for valves and or a new used head i did find a garage that would put 20 new valves in for $500 tx but i found a 94 850 with the fuel pump gone and fenders dented in for $300 so i took the chance put my pump in turns out that it is a better car than mine but needs alot of my good parts put on so thats my next quest. i'll keep up to date on my progress with the change over.

 

Wow lucky you $300.00
If I could only find a deal like that I would be a VERY Happy Man.