hi everyone this is my first post on this forum. I'm 17 years old and I recently got a great deal on a '98 S70 non-turbo ($3,000 w/70,800 miles). I got the great deal from an old neighbor of mine. Anyway, I need to replace the timing belt, and I have researched online how to do this. It actually doesn't seem that hard. I found great guides at:
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic60326.htm
and
http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/timingbelt.php

I'm just hoping that my car has a hydraulic tensioner (I haven't checked it yet), because it sounds a lot easier to work with. While I am doing that t-belt, I figured that I would check the water pump, and replace the tensioner. Here is my question: in regards to replacing the water pump, I have read that you should only replace it if there is leaking or if it is weeping. What is "weeping"? I just want to know this so if it is weeping, I can replace it right there. Also, is it worth replacing the idler pulley? Thanks for reading this, and thanks for your help in advance.
Matt

 

Yes replace the Idler pulley.

By weaping I usually mean slow leaking. Look at the Bottom of the Water pump. You will see a steel Plug pushed into the bottom of it. See if it looks like it is leaking at all. Or if you see a white Scaley build up it is leaking replace it.

 

Hey tech
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Thanks for you feedback, it's exactly what I was looking for. So weaping = leaking very slowly. Thanks!!

 

Subscribing for future reference