Gates timing belt kit.

[PS78]

Excellent info inn the seals, thanks. precopster any brand recommendation on the atf for the five speed auto? I've read a bunch of different posts about the fluids and I want to get whatever is best for it at a fair price.

[erikv11]

New data I read recently suggests that Elring have their seals provided by Corteco which is the OEM supplier.

Perhaps they had a production problem and had to outsoirce on some of their batches. Elring have their btandname stamped on them. Corteco have distinct markings but no brand name.

Great info Mike, thanks.

These seals are such a moving target, for several years we posted on here that SKF was OEM and if you compared SKF to Corteco, it was obvious by the distinct. Then the SKF seals changed and we all started chanting "Corteco only" ... Definitely need to keep our eyes open.

[clifford06]

Greetings. Run Forrest , Run.!!! Pump is more than likely cheap. Cheap bearings throw timong belts!!!

[SpeedyPete]

If you want to have a cam seal blow out go with Elring. If you want no future problems go down to the Volvo dealer and purchase Volvo brand seals. My 2 rear cam seals lasted to 175K before leaking and the fronts never leaked. Regards, SpeedyPete

[cn90]

Timing Belt kit is a sacred item! Whether you own a Honda, Toyota or Volvo, stick to the very maker of the stuff and you will be fine.
In the Volvo case, it is Continental TB and INA pulleys (the HT is Aisin).
Any other brand names are a gamble.
The cost saving for "other brand" is very small, yet the risk is not small.

Re SKF seal: I was the culprit who recommended SKF a few years ago, simply b/c of the SKF reputation in the world of bearing mfg.
But after 3 yeras of KF seal, it slowly developed leak. So I no longer recommend SKF seal.

The factory seal: I was lucky to have one lying around, then bought a Corteco for comparison.
The Corteco and Volvo OEM seals are identical twins, down the markings
So it is safe to sing the "Corteco song." Here is the photo of the comparison:

[markjcm]

Speaking from experience: I have used Gates timing belt kits with pulleys, water pumps on many different cars (Volvos included) for five years now, and not had any problems. Have also had many cars return for their next belt replacements later down the road (some overdue) and found no issues. Though, I have not yet replaced any seals on a Volvo.

Recently used one on my 99 V70 at 194k in Oct. 2014 - now at 209k. Car alternates between long-distance runs and sitting for months on end... lol

Have another kit waiting to go on my 99 XC.

[mecheng]

New data I read recently suggests that Elring have their seals provided by Corteco which is the OEM supplier.

Perhaps they had a production problem and had to outsoirce on some of their batches. Elring have their btandname stamped on them. Corteco have distinct markings but no brand name.

Correct. I have a Elring seal and it has Corteco stamped on it. Even their websites are similar.
See my pics to prove this:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... co#p349201

[rspi]

Re SKF seal: I was the culprit who recommended SKF a few years ago, simply b/c of the SKF reputation in the world of bearing mfg.
But after 3 yeras of KF seal, it slowly developed leak. So I no longer recommend SKF seal.

Yea, after reading that incredibly convincing post, I spent a few hours tracking down a local source for the seals, purchased 10 of them. lol

[erikv11]

See the above posts - the seal to get is Corteco, not SKF. Did your Elring seals look like this viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50752&p=349201&hili ... co#p349201 or were they the older ones? I'm betting they were the older ones.

Just order Corteco seals from RMR European or one of the other trusted vendors, it will probably get there as quickly as if you found it around town, plus you will know exactly what it is. If the engine is blowing Corteco cam seals the problem is most likely something to do with the engine, not the seals.