2004 C70 Must I replace Timing Belt at 10 years?

Post by **hansenjg** » 14 Jul 2014, 13:52

I was at the Volvo dealer getting some parts for my Cross Country and I was bragging to the parts guy that I had just bought a 2004 C70 Ragtop with only 32,000 miles on it. He says "Have you changed your timing belt?". WHAT?

I said "Timing belt is a 100,000 mile item!". He said "or 10 years, because they dry out". UGH.

It's an easy enough job that I've done before, but I didn't plan on it for a 32000 mile car. Do I really need to replace it? Can I just inspect it? I know how to spot a bad belt, but how does this particular belt show its age? Where's the best place to look (I would hope it's at the top).

And if you guys (who are smarter than me) convince me to replace it, I don't need to do the water pump, do I? I figure if I do the belt I'll have to do the tensioner, but the OEM pump is probably in great shape. Thanks in advance for all your help. This site has been rocking my world for 10 years!

Post by **dosbricks** » 14 Jul 2014, 14:09

I've been knocking around this site for 10 years, but won't pretend to be smarter than you.

Rubber compounds dry rot--be they tires or belts. The first line of your sig. would say it for me. Replace it for your peace of mind and flush all the fluids unless you have maintenance records.

Post by **mikealder** » 14 Jul 2014, 14:10

The water pump will be fine IF the car has had the correct coolant mixture in it.

As for the belt I wouldn't risk it at that age, it is the same as playing Russian Roulette with the engine, if it lets go it will destroy the power plant and cost a small fortune to repair, replacing the engine is often a cheaper and better long term solution to an engine that has suffered a timing belt failure - Mike

Post by **abscate** » 14 Jul 2014, 14:37

Somewhere I gathered timing belt life in a thread based on miles. My guess is there is really little data on belt life in time as most go on miles. I am a risk taker but I don't panic when a belt reaches 100k (later models) and it has a 105k replacement. With my new 2005 at 80k, I will drive it, gather info and parts and do the belt on time before next winter.

Post by **hansenjg** » 14 Jul 2014, 15:03

Thanks to all 3 of you for responding. I was kind of figuring the same thing. I too would advise others to replace it just for peace of mind. Dosbricks, I noticed the first line of my signature when I posted and figured somebody would comment on it.

Actually, on that car the water pump went (one I had installed with the new timing belt at 125K) and it took the belt with it and killed the car. No surprise that there isn't a lot of info about 10 year old belts, as very few ten year old cars would have less than 100K on them. I got lucky finding this one. Like new for less than $7500.

I'm going to look at the belt this weekend and decide if this is urgent or can be done at my convenience. (I spent the last 3 days under the Cross Country replacing control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bars. I need a weekend off!)

And Mike, thanks for the advice on the pump. The coolant looks good. I'd be surprised if it was ever changed, but the owner had it regularly serviced by the dealer.

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 14 Jul 2014, 15:32

abscate wrote:Somewhere I gathered timing belt life in a thread based on miles. My guess is there is really little data on belt life in time as most go on miles. I am a risk taker but I don't panic when a belt reaches 100k (later models) and it has a 105k replacement. With my new 2005 at 80k, I will drive it, gather info and parts and do the belt on time before next winter.

All car manufacturers list belt replacement intervals with plenty of safety margin. If the belts were ready to break at 105,000 miles, far too many would have broken at 90,000 or 100,000 miles and Volvo would be on the hook for those repairs. They can't really predict when it will break because there are too many variables. I don't know what Volvo's formula is, but you can be sure that at 105,000 miles the vast majority of those belts are just fine. It could be as much as a 100% safety margin. Its no skin off Volvo's nose to put a conservative change interval on the belts.

On the other hand, all rubber and plastic parts dry out as the plasticizers and flexibility agents offgas. It is no different than any of those parts under the hood that are now brittle and very breakable. I'm just guessing but I would think that time is harder on a belt than miles.

Post by **precopster** » 14 Jul 2014, 15:39

While the belt is off check the idler and tensioner for coarseness and/or noise. They should not spin freely and should feel weighted down by grease and be silent.

My belt kit was replaced in 2004 with genuine Volvo and it had only done 144,000 kms (rated at 160,000) so last weekend I thought I'd do the whole shmozzle including water pump.

I found that the tensioner bearing was dry and was the one causing a loud shreak for a half second upon every startup. It was dirty all over and the rubber seal looked OK.

Goes to show that even following recommendations can lead to failure.

Abscate if you want more data it's in the Maintenance Log: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=46944

Post by **abscate** » 14 Jul 2014, 18:43

The data containing thread is here

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... f&start=14