1998 V70 AWD 33 Step Timing Belt Replacement with Photos

[matthew1]

Eric, great writeup. Added to the Repair Database. And your account has been added to MVS Contributors rank.

[deepsouth]

matthew1: Thanks!

rspi: I've used Beck Arnley timing kits on my many Volvos for the last 10 years with no problems. I know many who cry foul but I've had good luck. To add to that, I've also been using re-manufactured MAF sensors from Autozone (Cardone Reman but stamped Bosch) on both my 1998 S70 GLT and my 1998 V70 AWD for over two years with no problems (something everyone also claims is a big no-no). Could be I'm exceptionally lucky...

[regent]

Awesome write up!

I have all procedures in VIDA but I always prefer practical write-ups by a DIY-er with all the hints, shortcuts, and most importantly - with our custom-made special tools.
Thanks for your time, Eric.

[songzunhuang]

Thanks! I've actually had very good experiences with Beck Arnley kits. Used them for years and have never had a pump or a component fail. I've heard them trashed talked but, again, only good experiences.
Eric

Great to hear this! I just got one of these kits and started a separate thread asking if anyone had used one. I didn't find your post initially.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... p?p=350419

I'll be doing my belt right after Xmas. I'm living on borrowed time as my car has 228K miles and I've never done the timing belt. Your write up (with pics) was the clearest and most concise I've seen. Very nice job.

[mtd240]

I have found that Beck Arnley parts are excellent. They usually grab OE parts and toss 'em in a Beck Arnley box (Aisin/Koyo/Mitsuboshi/etc for Japanese cars, Continental/INA/Bosch/etc for European). If both Genuine dealership and OEM are too expensive (or difficult to get), I tend to grab Beck Arnley parts. RockAuto usually has them, which is a plus (cheap!).

Avoid their reman brake calipers, though...I had to return one three times since it was reassembled incorrectly (perhaps they just don't know how to assemble Volvo 240 front calipers..).

[cn90]

I used to use Beck Arnley parts years ago (in the 1990s). They are the "reboxer", i.e., they don't make any parts, they rebox parts from another mfg. Sometimes excellent stuff (Wahler stat, Conti belt etc.), sometimes not so good.

These days with the internet, it is easy to find out the OEM supplier and I simply go for that.
Example: timing belt is made by Conti, the pulleys INA etc. etc.
A few years ago, dealer parts tended to be more expensive than Conti, INA etc; not any longer.
Sometimes dealer parts are cheaper than aftermarket parts, and one thing is for sure, dealer parts fit perfectly.

[xHeart]

...
Sometimes (OFTEN) dealer parts are cheaper than aftermarket parts, and one thing is for sure, dealer parts fit perfectly.

No circus -- return, refund, RMA, cost of return shipment, not to mention <grief>.

[jgc470]

Great write up with pictures, I was looking for such. I am about to do same on my 96 850 sedan (180k). Parts are here, and will study your post and Haines manual to check my efforts (about next week). Thanks

[mika]

When I did the TB system on my 96 855 at 134k miles I didn't change the water pump as I was in a hurry. At 138K it failed.

Did the pump failure surface as a leak or disaster? I changed a water pump a few days ago that was only 2 years old, after market pump.

Word for the wise... only use Asisn or Hepu water pumps.

When my pump failed it did not leak: the rotating shaft had play and I distinctly heard a ticking that would "speed up" as I accelerated. It was easily heard during normal driving with radio off, not probing around with a stethoscope. (15 dollar Chinese water pump off ebay! )

On a side note, the serpentine belt/accessory belt always rotates at the same speed, right? It does not "speed up" when you accelerate?

[regent]

Actually, it does. The serp belt is driven by the crankshaft pulley so it is in synch with the engine rpm as is the drive belt (slip is ignorably minimal)