1998 S70 Timing belt tensioner Topic is solved

jjmif1 · Post by **jjmif1** » 07 Mar 2005, 16:27

I've found this thread very helpful, but when i went to check my car to see if it's a pre-1266127 engine, the number was NOT on the timing belt cover. There is a sticker on the cover that indicates "Part # 6821519" and "Serial number 956856" and also my engine type "B5254S." My car was built in January 1997, and there is a number that looks suspiciously like an engine serial number on the aluminum injector shield on the top front of the engine. Engraved in that aluminum shield is "1270568" as well as "0146" and "9704". Is the 1270568 number my engine serial number, or is is a part number for that shield?

Also, if my car is indeed a pre-1266127 engine, i.e., if it has a hydraulic tensioner, can I wait until 140k miles to change it when I get my second timing belt installed? My first belt was changed at 73k and i currently have 102,000. Thanks.

Post by **dosbricks** » 07 Mar 2005, 19:57

jjmif1,
The serial #956856 on the white tag should be your correct engine# since your car was built in Jan. 97. Our S70 was built in Sep. 97 and is engine #1175931. I think these are real numbers and not just six or seven digit codes.

Our car has the same 1270568 on the injector shield.

The hydraulic tensioners had a little plastic sleeve that clips over the piston so if the hydraulics fail it prevents the tensioner from colapsing to far, thus preventing disaster. The Volvo OEM belt kit comes with a new one.

If your t-belt was changed by the dealer it should be there. Ours was OEM but changed by an indy and sometimes I wonder. Probably I should pull the bottom cover just to be sure.

Techs replace the hydraulic tensioners if they find they compress to easily, but you should be fine to 140K.

moonboot · Post by **moonboot** » 08 Mar 2005, 16:59

I just had the timing belt replaced on my 98 S70 which now has 150,000 miles on it. I bought this car used and assume that the belt nor the tensioner have ever been replaced before. After reading these posts I am going to take it back in ASAP to have the tensioner replaced. I just dropped about $1,000 on maintenance and repairs, any idea how much the dealer will charge to replace the tensioner?

jjmif1 · Post by **jjmif1** » 08 Mar 2005, 17:11

Thanks dosbricks! I can't imagine that there were too many 1998 S70s made before January 1997. Now I, too, have to wonder whether my independent garage installed that plastic sleeve. [/i]

Post by **tina** » 13 Mar 2005, 22:21

Should I have had the tensioner changed? Last Friday, replaced timing belt and water pump. THe NEXT DAY driving on freeway something happened... blew a valve I think. Car is now running on 4 cylinders and no compression in Cyl #1 according to mechanic. They (indie Volvo experts) did not mention the tensioner... don't think they did it. What happened? I wish Volvo would pay for mine

Post by **dosbricks** » 14 Mar 2005, 14:46

It would be hard to believe that the work you had done and the problems that happened the next day are unrelated.

On a '94, if the tensioner has never been changed, yes change it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Jul 2005, 20:27

I had the timing belt changed at the local Volvo dealer at 80k miles for $1,500.

Driving on the freeway may tensioner went at 92K miles.

Dealer quoted $5k to replace engine.

The dealer claimed that Volvo recommends the tensioner to be changed at 105K so they never mentioned/recommended changing it.

To add insult to injury the dealer offered me $1k for my car as a trade.

Fast foward 3 weeks aIndyput in aused engine for $4k.

Heads UP!! to all 1998 s70 owners........

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » 03 May 2009, 15:03

I guess the 1999 model is no better than the 1998?

Thanks

Dave

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 May 2009, 18:15

On the '98 the tensioner should be compressed and reused. You hardly ever hear about it going w/ those miles. Mine have all gone 140K miles on the '98 and older models. the '99's are different- they use a mechanical tensioner rather than a hydraulic one- these should be changed at 105K miles along with the belt.

lloydmaxwell · Post by **lloydmaxwell** » 17 Jun 2011, 07:42

I have a '98 S70 w/ 72k and the t-belt tensioner (mechanical it would appear) failed on a long road trip. I would HIGHLY recommend replacing this part, even preemptively. I was oblivious to this and the result is $2500 for an engine swap after the valves were bent beyond repair. It will be getting a turbo out of a GLT w/ 116k. It's a shame that a relatively low mileage engine had to be replaced, don't let this happen to you.

1998 S70 Timing belt tensioner Topic is solved

My engine serial number is not where it's supposed to be.