Do I really need to change the timing belt?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Jun 2016, 06:56

Add to the equation that the '93 has the skinny timing belt to begin with and it was a tad under engineered from the factory. Volvo retroactively lowered the timing belt change interval for the '93 and early '94 cars after they started to fail well before the original service interval.

...Lee

Pezgoon · Post by **Pezgoon** » 11 Jun 2016, 08:20

Actually sonicadventure, the car was free for me

But I have this weird thing where my cars are my children and I have an ocd issue where even when its probably not worth it, I still put shtloads of money into cars as i just cant stand seeing them just die away because someone got tired of having the thing and instead of passing it on (or giving it away) they would rather have it sit in their yard and rot.

Not being able to afford a car really changes perspective for when you have one and your opinion of people whom own other cars.

I ended up changing the belt since I had it and I agree 13 years is a long time, after I got the belt off I could not get any cracking to show on the groove side but when bending the back side it had micro dry rot cracks everywhere, so it made me happy changing it. I couldn't get the serpentine belt to do the same so I put that one back, non critical and I have free towing lol.

After testing the pulleys though one had dry grease in it and I was hoping it would be alright but after starting/driving the car it squeals at 3k rpms (automatic so its always getting to that speed lol)

But on a side not, IT RUNS!!! I brought her back from the dead! Engine sounds beautiful, transmission shifts good even with the old fluid in it! (I've only done 5 miles to test drive it) it is a little hard shifting though so new atf is definitely next on the list (thank god mines only the mercon 3 22$ a quart is unbelievable!).

Only thing I gotta worry about now is the mouse nest in the exhaust that has been catching fire as I drive it

I'm gonna carry a fire extinguisher until the campfire smell stops following me

Thanks all

PS78 · Post by **PS78** » 11 Jun 2016, 09:26

I completely understand where you're coming from with a the cars being like family. I feel the same way about both my cars. You're right about appreciating what you have or don't have either. My last year of college the car I had blew its transmission and I was without any vehicle. For a number of months I had to manage to get to work and school from friends and coworkers but 5 nights a week I walked home 3 or more miles (this was during the winter in northern PA) through snow, sleet, ice minus 0 temps. It was a very humbling experience, and when I found a car again it was an amazing feeling.Some people will never experience hardship and have the appreciation of going without things. So I totally get the attention you give your vehicles. Plus vehicle maintenance is a fun, useful hobby to have. I've helped so many people over the years when they didn't have the ability or money to make a repair on their own. I love that feeling.

So which pulley is dried out and what part of your exhaust did chucky cheese set up house? Lol

Pezgoon · Post by **Pezgoon** » 11 Jun 2016, 10:13

Lol, I'm glad I'm not the only one! My wife says I'm crazy

Well when I picked up the car when we first started it, loaded it on the flatbed and got in in the driveway, acorns came out/shot out all at the various times. It seems they made it all the way into the (giant) muffler as I looked down the tailpipe and saw nothing so they are in the muffler somewhere (hopefully not forward of it)

In regards to the pulley I didnt take a picture but it isn't the idler on the tensioner its the other idler, I pulled off the tensioner arm to grease the bushing as stated in the FRM and tested that pulley, I could tell the grease was old in it too but it would still continue to spin after my fingers came off so I figured it would be alright till I do it all again at 100k. The other idler that is immobile on the front pathway I did not pull off but tried spinning it, and it would not continue to spin after my fingers came off and it had some slight resistance when I was spinning it. The bearings in it are not bad, I can tell they are just dry as hell, I just started the car today (its very fulfilling to finally start it) and its now doing a constant/intermitten chirping from the pulley, I went at all the serpentine pulleys with a stethoscope and didn't get the sound so I think I'm gonna pull off the t belt cover and verify which pulley it is and maybe post a video to see what you guys think. I was planning on doing the complete t belt service at 100k since that's the normal interval but the pulley(s) may not make it that long, should I put in an order for them now?

Thanks, sorry its so long lol

Post by **oragex** » 11 Jun 2016, 15:01

Pezgoon wrote: Only thing I gotta worry about now is the mouse nest in the exhaust that has been catching fire as I drive it I'm gonna carry a fire extinguisher until the campfire smell stops following me

Thanks all

hope the mouse it's ok

Pezgoon · Post by **Pezgoon** » 12 Jun 2016, 05:24

Lol, I think he left when I first looked at the car and started it to see what was leaking, probably scared the poo out of him though. I didnt smell any burning meeces, although at first it just really smelled like someone was burning alot of matchsticks, maybe that's what they smell like when roasting!

Also I went out with my stethoscope last night and from what i can tell it is NOT the t belt idler, its actually the serpentine belt idler thats screeching. When listening to the t belt idler it (was loud as hell!) sounded like it may have spun bearings though. It sort of had that vibrating worn bearings sound to it but I'm thinking /hoping it'll make it for 20k, ill just keep a regular eye on it as I really do not wanna wrestle that belt again any time soon lol.

Do I really need to change the timing belt?

Re: Do I really need to change the timing belt?