New to me 1999 V70 AWD XC questions

adriana · Post by **adriana** » 15 Jun 2016, 13:45

Greetings,
I bought a 1999 V70 AWD XC yesterday. It has 75,000 miles on it, one owner, and it's in pristine condition. I have a few questions about the timing belt, water pump, and SRS.
1: The interval for the timing belt is 105,000/10 years. The timing belt has not been changed, and despite the low mileage, we are several years over ten. I know that the previous owner was meticulous about getting it serviced, and I know there's always a bit of debate about these timing belts, but I don't want to throw this car away over timing belt failure. Should I just go ahead and get it replaced. along with the tensioner?
2: If the consensus is to have it replaced, do I really have to replace the water pump also? That adds quite a bit of shop time, according to my mechanic, as well as cost for parts (he allows me to bring my own parts).
3: I traded in my 1994 850 wagon, on which the driver's side seat belt failed. When I was poking around trying to fix it, I saw that the SRS needs to be either replaced or serviced by a certain date. Out of curiosity, I checked my new Volvo for that information, and it looks like the system needed to be checked or replaced in 2009. What does that mean, exactly, and is it something that positively needs to be done?

Thank you all very much in advance!
Adriana

P.S. If you'd like to see pictures of my new baby, I'd be happy to oblige

Post by **abscate** » 15 Jun 2016, 14:21

A low mile, pristine P80--->P2 deserves a new timing belt on time.
Dont replace the water pump if there are no signs of weeping and the car has been well maintained, including coolant changes.

The good news is Volvo issued a TSB which relaxed the SRS Replacement interval to ...never.

So, having scored two dodges of repair bills, break out the bank and get that TB, idler, tensioner done please.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 15 Jun 2016, 15:02

I agree... definitely get the timing belt taken care of, but being that it only has 75,000 miles, the water pump isn't necessary if there isn't any obvious leakage. Figures a shop would say that it adds time to the job... the water pump literally adds about 10 minutes to the TB job. I've done it.
My SRS system expired in '08 according to that sticker, I don't plan on doing anything about it. Didn't know Volvo issued a TSB on that, though... now I really don't need to do anything about it!

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jun 2016, 00:31

official TSB in 2006-07 retiring the 10 year limit on SRS, along with the " Final Solution" to remove sticker.

note to hire more technical writing people with history education.

Post by **850 LPT** » 16 Jun 2016, 06:13

+1 on the timing belt and related components.

Congrats to your purchase! Well maintained low mileage XC's are have become rare beasts these days.
And yes, why don't you show us a few pics

Post by **tryingbe** » 16 Jun 2016, 06:37

There should be a sticky, when gone over miles or time or unsure when it was changed last, change the timing belt and everything around it.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 16 Jun 2016, 06:42

abscate wrote:
image.jpg

official TSB in 2006-07 retiring the 10 year limit on SRS, along with the " Final Solution" to remove sticker.

note to hire more technical writing people with history education.

Very good... again, not that I was planning on having them serviced anyway, but good to know Volvo doesn't think I should either.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jun 2016, 10:33

tryingbe wrote:There should be a sticky, when gone over miles or time or unsure when it was changed last, change the timing belt and everything around it.

Its a legitimate debatable subject when the car is near end of service life. Its always cost effective as a DIY, but in expensive cities where the TB job can run 1000 USD, and one doesn't expect/need another 10,000 miles out of the car in the near future, the less-risk-adverse of us will chance it.

Ive gathered data that supports the MTBF on these is at least 150% of the recommended interval - my data is also debatable, but so far the only guidance Ive seen.

adriana · Post by **adriana** » 16 Jun 2016, 13:25

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the wisdom of the board members here. I'll order the kit and have my mechanic do the work. Meanwhile, here are some pictures. I'm in love!

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 16 Jun 2016, 14:53

Wow, that is a clean car!

I highly recommend buying the parts from FCP Euro. Site sponsor, great prices, and a lifetime warranty. Best service I've ever gotten from a parts supplier.