Please help!
My father's 1999 Volvo s80 2.9L (non-turbo) engine suddenly died.
He has noticed coolat leakage. Engine was turning put no start.
Car has been towed to mlocal mechanic.
He has determined that timing belt had slipped.
Is there a chance that valves are not bent?

Car has 122K miles but belt was replaced by Volvo dealer at 65K miles.
If valves are bent it would not make sence for me to fix it since each valve was quoted $48

Thank you for your inputs in advance.

 

Hi,

I'm sorry about the trouble.

Did your mechanic show you the belt compartment? I do not mean to sound annoying, but many people don't seem to want to look at the parts/problems that their mechanics tell them is bad.

Anyway, it does seem like the belt has slipped due to leaked coolant,probably around the water pump, even though Volvo water pumps are noted for begin extremely durable and they do not seem to require replacement as often as other cars.

If the belt was replaced by the dealer, then I believe the dealer is partially at fault, as these belts should last at least 70,000 miles, or longer on 1999 models. Or, the tensioner mechanism may have failed, which allowed the belt to slacken.

Ask for Moderator Tech for help, Tech's the top-dog of this forum. Meanwhile, I would make your mechanic show you the engine, and if you do suspect the belt has slipped, you may want to tell your mechanic to pull the head off and show you the valves. After you verify, your best bet is to find a rebuilt head. But again, I would either wait until Tech replies to this post, or use PM function and ask Tech for his opinion.

I wish I could help you better.


JPN

 

JPN,
I appreciate your comment!
Mechanic has showed me belt compartment. I'm not easely convinced for $3K repair job, but I know what you mean.

I will take your suggestion in consideration to look at valves. Mechanics giving me 95% chance that valves need replacement.
I will have them open the engine head.If vlaves are bent Idebatingifthis problem worth fixing... Will try finding rebuilt head.
Will try PM'ing Moderator tech in the meanwhile.

Thanks again,

David

 

If the belt slipped all the way off or enough for the car to not start most likely the valves are bent.
But if the car was only idling or at a very low speed you might only need to replace 1/2 of the valves. Most of the time unless they are on the highway only aout 1/2 of them bend.

But the only way to know for sure is to pull the head.
I wouldn't even attempt to install a new belt and try to start it. That would be useless.

 

tech,
I appreciateyour reply.

By the way I just found from the original owner that timing belt along with pump was replaced at 100K and not 65 as I stated earlier.
All parts bough from Volvo dealer.
This still puzzles me. Iused to own 1998 s70 from 65K to 120K and never replaced timing belt.
I guess it's just unfortunate coincidence.

 

The tensioner or idler might have failed.
They are only rated for 80,000 miles.

 

Same rating for an 850? If so I gotta do mine ASAP.

 

The 850 ones last longer.
Inspect them. If you see that grease is coming out of the bearing area replace them soon.
The one on my wifes car was squeeling when cold but I didn't see signs of grease leaking. But it still made noise cold.