1998 S70 Dealer Charge for Timing Belt

Post by **shaker_chi** » 24 Jul 2014, 10:21

I picked up a 1998 S70 T5 M in September of last year and it has about 134,000 miles on it. It was very well taken care of so I'm confident the timing belt was changed at 70,000 miles. I have changed the belt in my 94 850 n/a, but I'm busy at work and looking to have a shop do it for me. I spoke to an indy shop today and he quoted me $900!!!! Told me it was 5 hours in labor and it included the belt and tensioner. I called my local dealer and they won't give me a price over the phone, they want me to speak to a service manager. Am I crazy or is that the norm for a timing belt change? I'm a weekend mechanic and it did NOT take me 5 hours when I did it. I was anticipating 2 hours of labor plus parts. I'm in Chicago so if anyone knows a good indy please let me know. Thanks!!!!

Post by **rspi** » 24 Jul 2014, 10:35

Most shops use a "book time" to charge labor. So if the job takes 2 hours but the book states 5, they charge you 5 hours labor.

The job without the water pump is likely a 3 hour job and with the water pump 4. I recently change a water pump only on the side of the road in 2 hours. Part can vary but I'd make sure you were getting a Asisn or Hepu water pump.

Post by **oragex** » 24 Jul 2014, 10:55

$1000 for timing belt, pulleys, water pump (this one only original Volvo part, cheaper parts are know to fail), serpentine belt and it's tensioner, that's a reasonable price. I'd look for a good garage, as it's quite a sensitive job on this particular car, timing marks are hard to see. Perhaps on local.google.com you can find some Volvo specialists in your area with good reviews.

I guess at Volvo it would be around $1500

Post by **shaker_chi** » 24 Jul 2014, 11:31

Thanks for the responses. Looks like when I go the dealer tomorrow to speak to the service rep I'll be heading to the parts department instead to pick up a belt and tensioner. My water pump on my 850 was still running fine at 200,000 miles when I replaced it, so I WILL never go with anything but O/E especially when it comes to the timing. Thanks for the info.

mfagus · Post by **mfagus** » 24 Jul 2014, 11:44

Not sure where you are in Chicago or burbs but when I lived there I used Hubbard Woods Motors in Wilmette and Volvo Tech up by Gurnee. Both were good shops specializing in Volvo but Ken at Volvo Tech was a little cheaper.

Good luck!

Post by **regent** » 24 Jul 2014, 12:21

There is a volvo dealership over in the Atlanta area that offers somewhat attractive pricing on the TB job, around $600-ish (not that I would trust them to do it but I still used their coupon on a 4-wheel alignment at just $69.95). The prices I saw over there look like the lowest in GA, some even beat the indies'

http://www.northpointvolvo.com/specials/service.htm

Post by **rmmagow** » 24 Jul 2014, 12:47

My indy charged $400 for the TB, WP and all rollers plus serp repl. I provided all parts incl new hyd tensioner, so over $750 I think.

Post by **j-dawg** » 24 Jul 2014, 13:52

a volvo specialist dealer selling an S70 quoted me $400 to change the belt and pump on the car, which they had listed for $1900.

i didn't ask about the brand of the parts, but for $400 total i doubt they could have been top quality.

if you're curious, it was (i think) Automaniac in Wood Dale. they always have cars up with nice photos on craigslist. seemed like nice guys, very enthusiastic about P80 volvos, but i can't comment on the quality of their work.

Post by **JRL** » 24 Jul 2014, 15:03

I charge $375 for a T belt job with Volvo parts. Add $30 in labor plus the price of a water pump if someone want me to add that (should be done every other T belt change)

$1000 IS OUTRAGEOUS!

db130 · Post by **db130** » 24 Jul 2014, 17:01

Back in 2010, a local dealer charged $908 with taxes and fees including water pump. They beat two local indie shops.