My 98 S70 GLT has the mechanical belt tensioner. My 98 S70 T5 has the hydraulic one. I prefer the hydraulic type tensioner over the mechanical type. When I change the timing belt on the GLT next week I'm wondering if it is possible to change the tensioner to a hydraulic one? If so has anyone ever done that? Again is this swap even possible?

 

I'm guessing by the crickets, either the answer is no or no one knows for sure .......

 

Ok then.....I'm going to try it and see. Worst case scenario is I have to buy another timing belt set with the mechanical tensioner, and keep the hydraulic set for the T5.

 

Ok, to close this out, yes you can put a hydraulic tensioner in a car that had a mechanical tensioner and vice-versa. As long as you get the correct belt (148 teeth for hydraulic tensioner and 142 teeth for a mechanical tensioner) it works fine. The tapped holes are already there. Did it today and it works fine.