Timing Belt Recommendation

[Magnus308]

Been trying to find the best deal on the components I'm going to need to replace and it seems that fcpeuro has the best deal in terms of quality and price. I'm thinking of getting the GMB "Minor" timing component kit which contains a gmb idler, gmb tensioner, and a conti belt for around 85 bux. Will also pick up a hepu pump for around 60 bux. Also thinking of getting a new radiator petcock just in case I snap mine in half when I flush the coolant.

What my question is with the quality of the GMB components. The reviews if the kit are all positive but I was under the impression the GMB wasn't that great. Just wanted to get a little feedback from you guys or if anyone has used these parts. They also have a GMB water pump that is 20 or so dollars less then the Hepu. Just want some advice and part choice. Thanks guys!

I would personally use INA parts for the tensioner and idler, Thats is what Volvo use for those cars and its almost never any problems with them. If you dont want to drain all coolant you can use the drain on the backside of the engineblock it will drain the waterpump also.
The Aisin waterpumps for the S60 lasts almost forever so if you can find a good deal on those thats a great choice, Your Volvo was delivered with an Aisin pump.
Between a Hepu and GMB waterpump i would choose the Hepu without hesitation..

[covert24]

Thanks for the recommendation! I had never heard of INA until I saw some parts with that brand recently. Assumed they were just some random Chinese company. I'll shop around and see if I can find a good deal on those. I was pretty dead set on the Hepu as it is and your post just reinforced my decision.

[Magnus308]

Before you order any parts so check your accessory belt tensioner, The bearing goes bad in those and you anyway have to remove that belt when you replace the timingbelt.
INA is the OEM manufacturer for Volvo for those also but INA makes them for SKF and other brands also so it can be cheaper to buy a rebranded INA tensioner if you find one.

[covert24]

My serp tensioner was on its way out when I replaced the belt about 10k ago. Just didn't have the cash to drop at the time but I'm probably going to end up picking one up this time around. Did a quick search for the INA tensioner and idler and came up with eeuroparts.com. looks pretty promising and its cheaper than what I was expecting for an OEM manufacturer

[covert24]

Any idea what other companies get there stuff from INA?

Looks like WD Express gets their stuff from them but WD is more expensive it seems....Go figure..

[covert24]

Alright well I have finally made the decision to just get the GMB "Minor" timing kit which includes a conti belt, GMB tensioner, and a GMB idler. Will be completing that with a hepu pump and a spare radiator petcock since with my luck, I will for sure snap the OG one in half. I have not read any bad reviews on the GMB parts in question on here nor the fcp website. Also, I read somewhere on here that someone who's extremely knowledgeable on here, mainly in the ETM section (name starts with a P), just installed the same kit so that puts my mind at ease about the GMB parts. I figure since they are the OEM company for Toyota, how bad can they really be ya know?

According to threads/videos I've been using it seems that when installing the water pump, no RTV of any kind is required or really utilized in the job. Is this true? I don't want to put it all together and have the gasket not seal it properly. Am I correct in saying that if I tighten the bolts with the famous "star pattern" technique I'll be in the clear?

One more thing that I still don't quite understand is the adjusting of the tensioner based on the temperature. The fcp video is done while the temp was at around 60-70*F and he adjusted it from 11 o' clock to 7 o' clock if I recall correctly. Is there some type of chart that states where to adjust it to based on the ambient temp?

Thanks in advance guys!

[Magnus308]

According to threads/videos I've been using it seems that when installing the water pump, no RTV of any kind is required or really utilized in the job. Is this true? I don't want to put it all together and have the gasket not seal it properly. Am I correct in saying that if I tighten the bolts with the famous "star pattern" technique I'll be in the clear?

One more thing that I still don't quite understand is the adjusting of the tensioner based on the temperature. The fcp video is done while the temp was at around 60-70*F and he adjusted it from 11 o' clock to 7 o' clock if I recall correctly. Is there some type of chart that states where to adjust it to based on the ambient temp?

Thanks in advance guys!

When you install the waterpump you dont need any RTV, Just make sure that the block surface is clean and dry. Use some scotchbrite to remove the old gasket material from the block.
When you install the waterpump so first put the gasket on the block and then install 2 bolts together with the waterpump to hold the gasket in place. There is 2 guidepins on the engineblock that will fit into 2 holes in the waterpump housing, sometimes you need to use some force to get them in and a small plastic hammer usually solve that just be careful to not damage the gasket. The waterpump screws are quite short so i try to avoid to use them to force the guide pins in because i dont want to damage the threads in the engineblock.
Use the starpattern when you tighten the bolts and dont overtighten...

There is usually a instruction delivered together with the tensioner how to adjust it.

[covert24]

Fantastic. You've been an awesome help Magnus and I sure do appreciate it!

[vtl]

You can replace only pulley w/ bearing. Saves you $50+.

[covert24]

Well I already placed the order 3 days ago and it came today. Everything looks good. Wish they would have packed it a little better though as the water pump gasket that came with the hepu is creased right at the corner. I had to take the pump out first as it was laying on the gasket.... Looks usable, however greater care could have been taken. Also, did not get any instructions so good thing magnus posted about the tensioner. There is no wobble or play in any of the parts although I have a question about the pulleys in general. How much resistance should these pulleys have after being spun by hand? What I mean by that is, is it supposed to freewheel or there supposed to be a little resistance?

To vtl: where do you get just the pulley at? I know you can buy the serp belt tensioner pulley separately but didn't know anything about the timing belt one.