1999 s70 timing issue

nick19 · Post by **nick19** » 08 Oct 2014, 19:25

Hey, new to the forum, so if this is in the wrong place let me know or feel free to move it. Thanks!

I have a 1999 volvo s70 2.4T I picked up recently for relatively cheap. This is my first volvo, but not my first time under the hood of a car. The head on it was warped, so I picked up another, got it reconditioned, and dropped it on. I went to start it the other night and all it did was crank, so I figured the timing was off. Being new to DOHC, when I pulled the sprockets off the cams, I didnt check to see where the marks were at as a reference for reinstallion. Also, when pulling the cams out of the head I didnt look to see where/how they were situated, so when I put it all back together I had nothing to go on when I tried to reset the timing. I know, dumb right? I also forgot about the whole 'interference engine' thing when I went to start it, so tonight I pulled the head off again to make sure I had not bent any valves while cranking it. They all look ok to me, they look no different than the ones in the warped head. I'm pretty much stumped at this point. Did I just get really lucky and not bend a single valve? Also, how would I go about lining the timing this time through since I skipped all the tricks while pulling it apart?
Thanks in advance!

Post by **abscate** » 08 Oct 2014, 20:22

You not only have to get the cams in the right place, on a 1999 you have variable valve timing so you have to preload the cam. I'll try link to a thread on this so you can get it right. If the timing was close, you won't bend a valve on cranking,

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Oct 2014, 21:24

You are going to need a cam adjustment tool and the homebrew version won't really do the job for you since you need to torque the T-55 Torx head bolt that holds on the CVVT sprocket down to around 90 ft lbs. The cam adjustment tool will lock the cams at "timing TDC" which really isn't #1 TDC but it is the reference point. You will need to have the crankshaft at the timing mark and then lock the cams down with the tool.

Here is the book procedure for setting up the cam timing. The way it is written it is about as clear as mud but once you get your head around the fact that the sprocket, the hub, and the exhaust camshaft all move independently the procedure makes sense. It took me a while to figure it out.

99 XC Cam Seal Replacement.pdf: (3.5 MiB) Downloaded 253 times

...Lee

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Oct 2014, 22:10

Are you guys sure this car even has CVVT? I thought only the later model 99 NA's have it.

Maybe OP could post a pic of the cam sprockets to verify, unless he (or everyone but me!) knows for sure it is CVVT.

Post by **precopster** » 08 Oct 2014, 22:16

erikv11 wrote:Are you guys sure this car even has CVVT? I thought only the later model 99 NA's have it.

Maybe OP could post a pic of the cam sprockets to verify, unless he (or everyone but me!) knows for sure it is CVVT.

Officially the 2000 MY S70s and V70s have VVT on the intake side if they're NON TURBO. VVT was introduced on all TURBO 99s on the EXHAUST SIDE. The North American and Australian market early 99s that are non turbo have no VVT, just big beautiful cam sprockets

In your case the 850 head rebuild guide posted here on MVS has enough diagrams to get you on track. Note the position of the cam lobes while tied to the upper cover. Also you can lie the cams down and use the horizontal line at the back of the camshafts above the head seam on one side and below on the other.

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Oct 2014, 22:21

OK I thought so, thanks Mike.

So without CVVT setting the timing is much easier, you can use the slots in the back of the cams. Basically just be sure the crank is set on the mark (not TDC, but on the mark), reinstall the cams, move the cams to the timing marks, install the belt. All info is very clear on the appropriate pages at Volvo 5-cylinder: How to Replace the Head Gasket, go to like step 9.

Also, to OP: I'm not sure you can judge the valves by looking at the head, you need to test them for leakage.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Oct 2014, 23:29

I read the original post as having a 2.4T which is the LPT version with the CVVT on the exhaust cam.

...Lee

Post by **precopster** » 09 Oct 2014, 03:15

Right you are Lee, don't know why I missed that one

Post by **abscate** » 09 Oct 2014, 03:32

My T5, late 1998 build, has VVT on exhaust

Post by **precopster** » 09 Oct 2014, 04:26

I edited my post for correctness' sake and so that it's right