Do I really need to change the timing belt?

Pezgoon · Post by **Pezgoon** » 09 Jun 2016, 12:06

Hey there, so on my 93 850 that had the belt changed in 03 at 49k and its now at 71k, I have been replaceing the entire steering system for the last couple days because a line on the rack rusted through and you cannot get just the line and I couldn't find a place to make one up. So I was planning on doing the timing belt and tensioner because I expected it to be all cracked and dry rotted but when I took off the accessory belt it looked brand new! So I just opened up the timing cover (forgot it slides up and broke a tab

) and the belt looks just as new as the accessory one! see the picture.

Heres the accessory belt

What do you guys think?

Should I still change them? (the tensioner and belt) I'm not gonna do the accessory belt because it looks still good. I'd like to finish the car up today so quicker responses would be amazing!

Thanks all

101 · Post by **101** » 09 Jun 2016, 12:17

The timing belt deteriorates with both time and mileage.

Mileage is certainly on your side, but at 13 years old, the belt is WAY over on the time interval.

If it were my car - I would not risk it. For an older car, timing belt failure is the difference between continuing to drive the car with confidence and having it hauled to the scrap yard.

Post by **Clemens** » 09 Jun 2016, 12:49

I hate it when cars become useless. And like 101 said, on a car of that Age a broken TB usually means game over. I just had a similar decision to make, and I decided now that the AC works again I´d hate myself for saving time and money in the wrong spot.

You might get away with this one for a while, but if it fails you´ll be screwed.
Btw: old tires sometimes look really good, but have no grip even though they are not cracked because they still harden.

Post by **tryingbe** » 09 Jun 2016, 12:53

Would you chance your luck on 13 year old tires with good treads?

Rubber degrades over time. It could snap without notice.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_degradation

Pezgoon · Post by **Pezgoon** » 09 Jun 2016, 13:14

Alright thanks guys, I guess I just needed someone else to confirm what I thought.

The tires were actually dry rotted to hell so I already replaced them

So then should I do the accessory belt too since I have one?

Post by **Clemens** » 09 Jun 2016, 14:13

It never hurts. If you already got it and you need to take it off for the TB. You can still Keep the old one as a spare.

Post by **sleddriver** » 09 Jun 2016, 14:58

Way over due, time wise.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 09 Jun 2016, 20:28

Eh, fwiw, I'll say maybe wait a little while, unless you are already changing something the TB interacts with.

I will catch flak for saying this, but the 9 year old 95k t-belt in my 98 V70 is technically due for replacement, but since it was an $800 car and the belt is in great shape I'm not going to mess with it. If I get another year @ ~6,000 miles a year out of the car I will be happy. My Volvo mechanic told me not to start really worrying until I get to about 140K on the belt. While he's not guaranteeing that in writing, I've decided to take a gamble. If the belt snaps next month oh well, time to get a $4000 loan and buy another Honda.

Unlike some of the people here I believe form follows function and thus real - world practicality follows love of the car... I'm not dropping min $400 in parts plus two weekends of my time or $1200 to my mechanic to do timing belts and PCV on a 17 year old car with dents dings and scratches on every square inch of the body and a KBB value of $550. But, to each his or her own. Maybe you would be well advised to do the TBelt if you want to car long term and otherwise the car is 90% or above in terms of looks, interior and other mechanical items. Otherwise, you're just a white knight defending a cheating hoe in my opinion...sorry to offend!!

Post by **abscate** » 09 Jun 2016, 21:15

These discussions usually measure poster risk aversion rather than actual failure discussion

Every Volvo enthusiast, most on this site, will recommend changing it on the manufacturers interval.

Others viewing their Volvo as transportation may well choose to take the risk of the TB failure being end of life and pocketing the cash. That's a personal decision validated by personal parameters.

Post by **oragex** » 09 Jun 2016, 22:21

If you need to inspect any timing belt, you have to go inch by inch on the flat face. That is, turn the crank by hand - spark plugs out makes it easier - mark the belt and run it until you see the mark again. If it's not an original Volvo brand, replace it now matter what.

The material of the belt gets stiffer as it ages and yours is 13 yrs old. It got quite stiff at this point. If a crack develops, it will expand faster than on a more recent belt. Belt integrity also depends on how the car is driven, won't be the same for a lady in her 60's and for a 30yrs old male. Mine had 100K miles and 10 yrs old when I replaced it, and the car was driven gently by it's owner. It looked pristine except for a single crack, and the material was quite hard compared with the new belt I installed.

If you think keeping the car no more than two more years, keep an eye on it every few months (assuming there is not a single crack on it). If there's a chance it will stay on the road for another 5 years, I'd replace it now and have the peace of mind.