Timing belt replacement?

nadz · Post by **nadz** » 04 Nov 2010, 14:52

Hi all,
I bought my 1995 Volvo 850 one year ago with approx. 93,000 miles, now it has 107,000 miles, I have been reading up that the timing belt should have been changed at 70,000. I do not think that the belt was ever replaced, it is still most likely the original. Does anyone know how much shops usually charge to replace the timing belt? And can it be done at any shop or is this something only Volvo specialized shops would know how to do?
Thanks.

claymore850 · Post by **claymore850** » 04 Nov 2010, 17:33

I you have doubt , its better to replace ASAP. Its not a big deal, but its better if you send to a specialized volvo shop.

You can buy the parts at FCP groton to save money, and just pay for the labor. (this parts has same quality, sometimes same manufacturer, as the blue box..but cheaper).

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 04 Nov 2010, 20:09

+1

Get that replaced ASAP. If it pops, your car will become a paper weight. If you get the parts from us, the labor runs around 300 bucks. You could also try changing it yourself. There should be a how to on the forum somewhere. Just do a search and you will find it.

Post by **jblackburn** » 04 Nov 2010, 21:31

I had it done (along with a new tensioner) for about $400 when I first got mine. That was 3 years ago, so prices might have gone up.

Whatever you do, PLEASE don't buy an aftermarket tensioner!

nadz · Post by **nadz** » 04 Nov 2010, 22:00

A local shop by me who specializes on Volvo's said $325 parts and labor to replace the timing belt, I just want to make sure I can find the best price.

Post by **Jack Rock** » 05 Nov 2010, 03:16

Seems low. I believe (don't quote me) the parts will cost around $200 plus water pump, assuming you're replacing what you should - belt, tensioner, idler, water pump. That means the labour is a little over $100? Where I'm from labour rates are $90-100/hour for the local shops, don't even ask about specialists and dealers! I guess what I'm saying is that it sounds like you're just going to get a new belt out of the deal which would be a waste of time and money if the rest of the components are not new.

gilhuly · Post by **gilhuly** » 05 Nov 2010, 09:08

With all the parts the $600 neighborhood is about right and fair for a pro shop. I would do it privately for someone locally for $200 labor and it would take a full 4+ hrs to properly clean the old water pump crud etc.. and replace everything.

nadz · Post by **nadz** » 05 Nov 2010, 12:22

I asked the shop again, they said $325 includes the belt and all the necessary parts, but no water pump. Is this a good price?

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 05 Nov 2010, 16:32

The guys just replacing the belt trust me, no rollers tensioner or anything else for that price. I will say my engine had the original tensioner, rollers and all and I check the play in the bearings and it was surprising small. It could have went another 50K miles and it had 216K on them.

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Nov 2010, 17:07

I wouldn't push it. They should ALL be replaced at the 140K interval.

To the OP, I would ask them to replace the tensioner as well. You at least have the old-style design that fails much less, but again it is only designed to last 140K (which your new belt will out-last), so better safe than sorry.