Saw IPD has a "Timing Belt Replacement Instructional DVD" $19.95. This plus Haynes & Chilton manuals with "tech" advice; should be enough info. Changed timing belts before on my 1979 240DL & 2002 F150 Supercrew Latiet, 5.4L.

 

I was going through records on my 1998 C70 ht. I can't find any records on having the timing belt done (we got the car at 135k, has 142k now). I think it goes without saying that we got very lucky and it will be parked until I get it changed out. My question is, I see that FCP offers a kevlar belt setup, but it is kind of expensive, and you can't get it with the complete timing/water pump setup deal. Is it worth the extra money to get a belt that may last longer than the OE? None of the other components in the set are upgraded, so in theory I would need to change them out at the OE interval, so is it worth spending the extra money on the Kevlar belt?

Also,

Seeing how my car has 142k mi now, Should I go ahead and do the water pump and front seals now?

 

A review of what is involved in the repacement, you would want to repace everything you can before re-assembly, you don't want to go back in there again! I don't think which belt is as important as changing it. We all use are better judgement. You get what you pay for. I think any belt listed there in the sets would be just fine! I ordered the $300+ set with all the parts and seals, my brother is a Master ASE Mechanic and he told me to get seals also. Mine are 13 yrs old, but low miles!


1998 C70, 2.3, HPT, Coupe, 37k miles

 

If timing belt failure will cause serious damage to this kind of interference engines, why they can't control the starter in such a way that will not crank the engine without a timing belt?

For example, they can put a switch on the tensioner which controls the starter: if there is no tension, the starter won't run and will generate a code.

Any cars have this feature?

 

That would only help in the rare instance that the car is running fine and the tensioner fails while parked. Not when the belt or tensioner fail while running. Maintenance is the responsibility of the owner

 

When the belt breaks, there will be no tension on the tensioner: this has nothing to do with if the car is running or not.

Yeah, the problem is Volvo can't even tell you what the interval should be for this "maintenance": I only find 120K miles in their 2014 service manual and nothing in my 2010 manual.

If you don't change oil and the whole engine melt down, you wouldn't call this a good design, would you? Everything will fail eventually, but there is something called "fail safe": if your water heater fails and it burned down the whole house, I am sure you want to hold them responsible.

 

If the belt breaks while driving, a switch that prevents it from starting is usless.

The timing belt interval is in the manual for the 2010 and all the others.

 

If the belt breaks while driving, the engine can be stopped since it's useless anyway. So the crankshaft stops rotating to protect the valves.

What is the interval for 2010 and on what page?

 

Your post suggested controlling the starter. The starter is not in play once the engine is running.

2010 is a 120k belt, I don't know what page off hand. Its in the maintenance schedule though

 

Yeah, you asked what to do when the engine is running...
2014 says 120K and 2010 didn't say anything. That's why the dealer will tell you it's from 70K to 100K...

 

I didn't ask anything. You asked why they don't put a switch on the tensioner that cuts off the starter.

I don't have the 2010 maintenance schedule in front of me, but it's there. Calling the dealer just depends on how familiar the advisor is with the brand.

 

I have the electronic copy on my computer so I can search for "timing belt" and found no match. So I am pretty sure it's not there.

Sometimes, it's OK to say that's a good idea...

 

That's probably not the maintenance schedule you have.

And I stand by what I said, it would be pointless.

 

Unless my car is not a 2010 Volvo C70...

I agree: I am about to make a comment on the crankshaft sensor/any sensor under the other thread in case you want to say something...

 

It's 120k for all P1 C70s.

 

Yeah, 120k km sounds about right...

 

120,000 miles.

 

The other concern would be years on the belt. My wife's C70 is a 2006 but only has 70k on it. I'm thinking I don't want to wait for 120k as it would probably be a 15 year old belt by then. Where did you find the shop manual for the car?

 

Time is 10 years

 

From field failure data, I am pretty sure car companies already did their failure rate analysis. And all timing belt replacement interval recommendation is based on this analysis.

For example, their 100K mile recommendation may be based on 50% failure rate. So the real question is really "do you want to take this 50-50 chance to fail on a remote road?"

If you don't care 90% failure rate, you can drive it to 300K; if this car is in a presidential fleet, 10% failure may be already too high: so they may want to change it at 50K or even 5K.

Different people have different expectations in life: so usually your number reflects your expectation.