Timing belt

robbiewilso · Post by **robbiewilso** » 26 Mar 2017, 09:06

I just purchased this vehicle at 106k miles- 2000 Volvo XC SE. It's been well taken care of and I have lots of maintenance records...but none of a timing belt change. I have determined (i think) that the belt on now is an aftermarket one. Just wanted to know if any of you guys recognized it as a particular brand. It appears to be in good shape.

I have all the replacement parts to do the timing belt including a water pump but I was considering giving it another 10-15k miles but if someone tells me that is a cheapo belt then I will plan to do it all sooner.

Post by **abscate** » 26 Mar 2017, 09:21

Google reveals it to be an "AUTOPART INTERNATIONAL" part which i have never heard of.

Your 2000 was due for a belt in year 2010, and IM guessing it was done from the look of it. Next time due in 2020.

Im a risk taker, but I would run it.

robbiewilso · Post by **robbiewilso** » 26 Mar 2017, 09:35

I'm leaning towards driving it for a while. I'm just in the dark about the idler, the tensionser, and the waterpump. If I start losing any coolant then Im going to tear in there just to rule out a leaky waterpump.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 26 Mar 2017, 10:05

I think you should treat this timing belt job as a "stopgap" job. Volvo mechanics use OE parts and MVS folk use that or Continental or the snazzy blue Gates belt. That being said, I think even the cheapest Rockauto timing belt kit will get you 15k-35k miles. (Which sometimes you just have to do...) And depending on how much you drive, shoot, that could be 4-5 years! If you have the parts already, I'd plan on replacing it before you hit that 35k miles mark. And you're right, you should definitely pay attention to the coolant levels and open up the cover once a month just to keep an eye on it. Happy driving!!

P.S. Be prepared for a few replies telling you to replace it immediately!

angelglo · Post by **angelglo** » 26 Mar 2017, 11:41

I'm more of a guy that if I just bought the car and unsure, I would change it. that way, I would not be wondering every time I get in the car. who knows, maybe some unethical mechanic told the original owner that it needed to be changed at 20k miles?

robbiewilso · Post by **robbiewilso** » 26 Mar 2017, 13:54

I'm torn about it; it's not that I am too worried about it breaking immediately but there is as angelglo says peace of mind knowing everything is good. I noticed the manual states 105k for the change interval but I am pretty sure no sane person lets their timing belt go that long- or am I wrong? My thinking is if I do it at 120 odd thousand I wouldnt have a worry about it at all until the odometer turns 200k miles; but if I do it now I would want to do it again in 70k miles or so...

Post by **erikv11** » 26 Mar 2017, 14:19

10k - 15k is probably OK but I'd probably swap it soon. At least pull the belt cover and look around. Maybe the rollers weren't touched and just the belt was swapped (yes, people really do stupid things like that ... ).

The water pump is probably the least of your worries, the factory pumps can go a very, very, very long time. That's assuming it wasn't replaced the last time (hopefully not). But yeah keep an eye on things, including listening for rollers getting noisy.

Oh you already have the parts? Do the timing when you get the time. Maybe this summer, later in the spring, etc. I wouldn't change the water pump if the one on here says "Volvo" on it.

Post by **850 LPT** » 26 Mar 2017, 14:23

Just change it with OEM parts and be done with it, especially if you want to keep this car for a while. Then you have another 105k or 10 years before you have to do it again.
Peace of mind is a wonderful thing. This is coming from somebody who had to replace an engine because of cheap aftermarket parts.

Post by **rspi** » 26 Mar 2017, 15:03

I'm a risk taker, but not with after market timing belt parts.

Post by **abscate** » 26 Mar 2017, 15:49

robbiewilso wrote:I'm torn about it; it's not that I am too worried about it breaking immediately but there is as angelglo says peace of mind knowing everything is good. I noticed the manual states 105k for the change interval but I am pretty sure no sane person lets their timing belt go that long- or am I wrong? My thinking is if I do it at 120 odd thousand I wouldnt have a worry about it at all until the odometer turns 200k miles; but if I do it now I would want to do it again in 70k miles or so...

The interval is conservative. On the P2 models the same components are warranted for 150k miles.

I ran mine to 137k miles on my 1999

However, I have never been described as sane.