Drove this baby home yesterday. It drives very well but with some blemishes and small issues, such as moonroof doesn't work, etc. First thing is timing belt replacement because it is overdue. I am trying to find a video tutorial for the job. It seems like the layout is quite similar to 2005 S60 2.5T that is shown here:


Can I assume that it is basically the same? If it is the same, I think I can handle it.

A local Volvo specialist quoted USD$830 plus tax without the water pump and other shops quoted a little lower but not much. The specialist has very good reputation and I don't doubt he can do top notch job. But the price is a little bit of on the high end of my budget. I checked the price of parts and the kit can be purchased, even for OEM parts, around $200 (water pump included). Any help or suggestion is much appreciated. I plan to keep this baby running for a long long time...

 

This winter is too cold to do any work in my unheated garage for extended period of time. So the XC90 is still sitting in the snow. In the meantime, I am studying the car through VIDA, and pondering is I need to purchase the special tool 5433 (counterhold for vibration dampener) to do the job.

 

Do you have air tools? An impact gun will get the crank nut off no problem.

 

Thanks for the tip. I can borrow air tools from a friend.

 

I have an 2006 XC90 with 107K miles. Contemplated doing the job myself but for $850, including new pulley, tensioner, Timing Belt, Serpentine Belt and Water Pump I thought it was worth it. Not sure where you found all these parts for $200, best I found for OEM was $480. Would have taken me at least 8+ hours as I have never done one and would have taken my time. My time is worth more than $400 or so I paid for labor. It took the master tech a few hours anyway. I was concerned with making sure the gears were lined up for timing and seemed way too easy to make a mistake. I'll stick to brakes, oil changes, fuel, air and cabin filters for now. good luck!

 

Update on this: since this winter has been horrible and I am too busy to spend time in the garage, I finally found a auto repair shop to do all the following:
1) Contitech timing belt, pulley, tension, etc.
2) Aisin water pump (turn out the original one does have little leak)
3) spark plugs
4) engine oil and filter
5) air filter
6) all error messages cleared

And the total price is under $700! I can't think of better money spent. The technicians of this shop are excellent and let me watch when they did the job. Compared to the $1,400 price tag from dealer, I can't be happier.

 

Sorry, my mistake, not OEM parts.

 

WOW that's a great deal! The Contitech belt is OEM did they use OEM plugs as well? Those are at least $50-$70 bucks online alone. Easy to put it but a little time consuming to do it right with the torquing and antiseeze etc....

Where are you located?

 

Plugs are Bosch platinum. The shop got the plugs according to VIDA but didn't mention if they are OEM.

I am in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

The old timing belt is not in really bad shape after 136K. I know it was supposed to be changed much earlier, but I just bought the car and it hasn't been changed by the previous owner. The dealer that leased and serviced the XC90 was very helpful in providing me with the service history on the phone. It was serviced according to the book up to 110K and was auctioned off. The service history thus was missing after 110K. But the powertrain is in great condition. Engine is strong and there is no leak or oil burning. It is in better shape than my Camry of the same year. The Camry requires a valve gasket replacement at 120K because of oil leak, giving me the confidence vote of Volvo engine quality. I also called the transmission shop that was listed on the CarFax history and they told me that the transmission was checked and it was perfect thus no service was done. Other than the typical sun roof leak problem that makes the warning lights dancing like Christmas Eve, plus radio and sun roof not working, it is in very good shape. I am getting this to learn and play to get into the Volvo world. After driving Japanese cars for so long, I am getting a little bored. I don't know what kind of trouble I am getting into, but so far I enjoy every bit of driving and trouble shooting on the XC90.