I had a code of P0011. After checking this site i found a lot of people saying check the belt. I removed the cover today and found what looks to be the cam gears off by 1 tooth. I plan on calling to places tomorrow to have it fixed. They both are about an hour drive. Do you think it will be safe to drive about 70 miles?
The second question is if I do not have them do the water pump am I looking for a issue very soon. 10,000 miles ago I took it to the dealer to replace the belt and they said not to because it looked new ( you could still read the Volvo on the belt ) the car now has 153.000 miles so thought they were right because of the milage. Thank you

 

Volvo recommends changing the timing belt on the 2000-2004 1.9L engine at 105k miles. On the 2.4L and 2.5L engine it's higher. What is the history of the car? How long have you owned it? Has the belt ever been replaced?

Replacing the water pump is up to you really. When I replaced mine at 150k miles it was perfect with no play. I was repairing my 8 bent valves and decided to do all the work at once so I didn't have to go back later. If it goes bad it's only a little more work than replacing a timing belt. That's why people recommend changing it with the belt.

 

If this car has 153,000 miles and the original timing belt I would park it. Do not drive it, do not even start it. You're on borrowed time and you've been lucky. The car has given you a rare warning by slipping one timing belt tooth and setting a code. The belt slipped because the belt is loose, the tensioner has failed or because a roller is seized. The timing belt system may fail literally the next time you start the car.

The dealer mechanic is an idiot. You can tell nothing about the condition of a timing belt by looking at it. Even if the belt is new, it's not just the belt that's in question. The tensioner and idler roller will also seriously damage your engine if they fail.

Here's what you should do. Get the car towed to the shop that will do the work. Have them replace the timing belt, tensioner and idler roller. I would also replace the water pump. However, there's an experienced Volvo mechanic here who says the water pumps are very durable and not to replace them unless they're leaking. I tend to believe him as the water pump I took off my V40 at 80,000 miles was in the same condition as the new one I installed.

Having said all that, if you choose to roll the dice and drive the 70 miles you will probably be OK. Check back and let us know what happens.

 

I changed mine at 105,000 as recommended, still looked new.

 

The outer rubber surfaces may look new, but it's the inner tension-member "fabric" that takes the beating. Jillions of fatigue cycles and thermal cycles affect the part of the belt that does the work but can't be seen. Replace timing belts or or before spec.

Lynn B.

 

Almost forgot, consider that if the water pump starts leaking, it will have adverse effects on the timing belt. For the price, around 80.00 change the water pump as well.