I just purchased a '99 S80 2.9 with 86k. During the pre-sales inspection I noticed there was no sticker on the timing belt cover which leads me to believe it has not been replaced. After reading all the posts on timing belts that is the first order of business for me. I put together a list of service I wanted performed and the below (non dealer) quote is the first I received...does it look fair. Also, I only asked for a quote on the timing belt and tranny flush they suggested the other services. The shop owner quoted me in email a price of $267.79 for the timing belt and $99 for the tranny flush (which leads me to beleive this is not a power flush). Also, should synthetic be used in the transmission - and should it be drained rather than flushed? Thanks in advance!

Total work with Labor: $1095.15 Estimated Labor: 4.00hrs @ $70/hr Total: $280
$10.69 Camshaft Seal OEM
$10.69 Camshaft Seal 1439513522
$15.47 Camshaft Seal Brown Color I
$300.00 Timing Belt Kit I
$104.07 Timing Belt Tensioner d I
$20.73 Oil Pump Gasket Kit I
$163.31 Water Pump I
$21.77 Thermostat Kit 900C/1950F I
$67.42 Multi Rib Belt I
$85.00 Acc. Belt Tensioner *** I
$16.00 COMPLETE ANTIFREEZE I

Parts Sub-Total $815.15

TRANSMISSION $199.90 Actual $100.90 Savings $99.00 Group Quote
3124 1@ 129.90 129.90 SYNTHETIC ATF Ie 1.00hrs@ $70.00/hr

 

You don't have to replace the timing belt until 105,000 miles:

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/...intenance.html

I used Mobile 1 Synthetic ATF in my trans. Just doing a drain and fill won't get all the old fluid out. It holds about 13 quarts, so their quote of $130 for fluid is about right. Some people recommend slowly switching to synthetic by doing a pan drain and refill, driving a few thousand, miles, then repeating several times to give the tranny time to get used to the synthetic fluid.

 

Most I have spoken with suggest the timing belt be changed now (or around 70-80k) as a preventative measure...on this board "tech" suggested the same on the timing belt sticky.

 

I believe one of the bigs issues of the timing belt change at 105k is that one of the pulleys (idler or tensioner) is supposed to be changed at 80k and if that goes there goes the belt. I changed my belt at 102k and it didn't look too bad but the idler pulley looked a little worse for wear. Change it all for peace of mind.



The 4 hours labour to do all that work seems pretty good to me, having done some of it myself. The timing belt kit for $300 is high especially if it doesn't include the tensioner. I got my timing belt, tensioner and idler pulley for about $160. You can also pick up a waterpump from partsquick.com for $69. If the water pump is good I would leave it, change it on the next belt. They seem to last a long time. You could probably beat all those prices but those 2 are the big ones I'd say. Are the camshaft seals leaking?

 

Thanks for the feedback...no problem (at least no evidence) with the water pump or cam shaft seals.

The big issues for me are 1) transmission flush; and 2) the timing belt...during the pre-sale inspection the transmission fluid was dark, but not black and no burn odor. For those two items the cost would be $267.79 for the timing belt (installed) and $99 for the trans flush.

I have emailed the mechanic to see if the tensioner and idler pulley are included.