Hi,

I'm driving a 2001 Volvo S40.
Current mileage 101,300. Timing belt change due in 105,000.

I got a quotation of $750++ for the timing belt change from 1 of the volvo dealers!!
Anyone with a recommendation where to get it changed besides going to a dealer?

Also, recently i experienced some "knocking noise" while driving on bumpy surfaces.
Noise seems coming from wheel/undercarriage. (Not sure where, yet to diagnose)
I suppose that happened after i went over hard on a pothole on the road.
Anyone with the same experience?
Anwhere beside dealers to get it "diagnose"??
Thanks in advance.

 

Find a Volvo specialist in your area and have them look it over.

 

Take it to any mechanic shop just to check the check engine light.

 

Alot of generic scanners won't read the codes on the S40's for some reason.

 

Where are you located? You can log ontocartalk.comandtype in your zip code and see if there are any mechanics recommended in your area. I live in central Kentucky and the timing belt change was only a little over $600 USD. The price you have been quoted sounds high to me. Also, talk to other Volvo, Saab, Mercedes, etc. owners in your area. Generally someone will have a good name to give you.

 

Yes the timing belt is very costly and you should do it very soon given the age and mileage. You can take it to a reputable mechanic instead of the Volvo dealer just make sure they change the tensioner, belt and the cam oil seals.
I also have the "knocking noise" from one of my front struts especically when truning to the right. I have not tried to take everything apart as of yet but will update this forum when I do.

 

I have just replaced mine and it amounted about USD. 500.00. Changed the belt, tensioners and cam oil seals. Still i think in Honduras is a little bit cheaper. I took it to the dealership.
Make sure an specialist does the work, cause its very delicate. If replaced improperly this might cause a valve permanent problem. The cam oil seals are important to replace cause if oil spills the belt its resistance will be affected.

regards,

 

Or you can do it yourself...go here for a step by step procedure with pictures!

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/s40_timing_belt.html

I've done two now...the first took about 8 hours and the second time took about 5.

 

thank you all for the replies.
I'm still lookin' around for a good quote
I live in phoenix, arizona.

 

I did mine myself and saved about $400. Cost me $400 in parts but I replaced everything (belt, tensioner, pulley, water pump).
Took me about 8 hours but I think I can do in 3 the second time around.

See my post about fixing my wheel/shock rattle in this forum.

 

Hello, I am new and looking for some answers as well. I too need to get the timing belt changed on my wife's 05 S40, so feel your pain. I can however shed some light on your knocking experience since I had a very similar problem on bumpy roads especially turning to the right. You can go to a tire/suspension shop to diagnose for less $$, some may do it for free to get your business. Basically two things to check. (My problem was coming from the passenger side front end.) 1st, it could be your strut, with the mileage that you have, may be time for new ones. 2nd, check the strut mount, strut bearing and bearing mount. My bearing mount had cracked and we could not figure out the problem for quite some time. At first, I spent $600 on new struts and shocks only to still have that knocking sound continue. My right strut was completely gone, probably due to the bad strut bearing and mount.It wasn't after that we took apart the whole strut mount assembly(on the top) that we saw my exploded bearings and broken pieces. It was a big headache for me, so if I can help someone else, that would be great.