New 850. What stuff are a MUST to replace/repair if the maintenance history is unknown?

[eightfifty2x0]

I soon learned that the shop only replaced the timing belt, neither the tensioner nor the pulley. But they did replace the working Volvo water pump with Hepu, which failed in 12,000 miles. However, the bill said, replaced "Volvo Timing Belt Kit".

dishonorable workshop

[eightfifty2x0]

One last comment - make sure that you rotate the engine at least TWO full rotations after changing the belt BEFORE you fire it up. If you feel resistance (having removed the spark plugs) then double check the alignment marks on the camshaft gears and crank pulley to make sure they're still correctly aligned. If you skip this step and fire it up with a misaligned cam, you could be looking at a replacement engine.

Thank you so much for that!

[eightfifty2x0]

Update on this thread. I asked at a local workshop that specializes on Volvos how much would it cost to change the timing belt and the tensioners(water pump, they said, should not be changed, because the original is good...), the CV boot(which is leaking) and the fuel pump(which is making rattling noises). Anyhow.
for the timing belt - 350-400€
for the CV boot - 100-150€
and for the fuel pump - 400-450€
FFS, man. Are they fixing a Lamborghini?
My problem is, that i have never repaired a car on my own. I used to work a summer when i was 20 on a junkyard and used to tear cars apart, but tearing cars apart is not the same as fixing them. Plus, i lack not only the experience, but also the tools, which, surely be less expensive to obtain, than just take the car to a professional.
Has anybody done such repairs with zero experience?

[jreed]

I haven't replaced a fuel pump, but I have replaced the timing belt components a couple times and replaced a couple of CV boots... My memory is that --for me at least-- those jobs were harder than most of the repair jobs I've done on the car over the years. I wouldn't recommend them as the first job to attempt if you have little or no experience and few tools. It would be easier if you can find a mentor or a friend with experience and tools who can help you along.

[Sveedy]

If you don't have much in the way of mechanical experience, and you can't find a buddy who does, then I'd have the shop do the timing belt etc ( inc water pump & serpentine belt since they are in there anyway ) and then start learning on the other repairs. You'll save enough money doing those to help offset the cost of having a shop do the belt. Fuel pump and filter are not hard. Tune ups are easy. I haven't done a CV joint/boot on my Volvo yet, but I don't think you'd find that hard to do either. By the time you need to do another timing belt ( apx. 70k miles ) you will have learned enough to feel comfortable doing it yourself.
As a side note, I've found that these cars don't require you to have a huge assortment of tools to work on them. A 1/4" ratchet set, some open end wrenches, multiple torx bits, and your off to a good start. Have fun and don't be in a hurry. An old expression I try to keep in mind :
" Hurry up is the mother of f--k up ".

[smacknab]

I did the timing belt, tensioner and water pump about a month after buying my s70 when I had almost no experience working on cars. I used a Haynes manual, diy write ups from this website and RobertDIY videos. The hardest part I had actually was with the water pump, so if you're not changing that it shouldn't be too bad, in my opinion.

While I didn't have car experience I have a technical background of making stuff so you would be the best judge of your own abilities. That said I wouldn't hold yourself back from trying it if you're interested in working on your own car.

[erikv11]

timing belt job - some difficulty to access everything, must have the right tools, requires careful attention to detail, must buy quality parts, difficulty level 6

fuel pump job - very easy access, basic tools, a little messy due to working with fuel, can get by with lower quality parts, difficulty level 2

CV axle boot replacement - difficult access, requires heavy duty tools to break axle nut, super messy, can be frustrating, must buy quality parts, difficulty level 5

[eightfifty2x0]

I haven't replaced a fuel pump, but I have replaced the timing belt components a couple times and replaced a couple of CV boots... My memory is that --for me at least-- those jobs were harder than most of the repair jobs I've done on the car over the years. I wouldn't recommend them as the first job to attempt if you have little or no experience and few tools. It would be easier if you can find a mentor or a friend with experience and tools who can help you along.

thanks for the advise! much appreciate it

[eightfifty2x0]

" Hurry up is the mother of f--k up ".

this
In my motherland they say "hurry up and make people laugh"

[eightfifty2x0]

I did the timing belt, tensioner and water pump about a month after buying my s70 when I had almost no experience working on cars. I used a Haynes manual, diy write ups from this website and RobertDIY videos. The hardest part I had actually was with the water pump, so if you're not changing that it shouldn't be too bad, in my opinion.

While I didn't have car experience I have a technical background of making stuff so you would be the best judge of your own abilities. That said I wouldn't hold yourself back from trying it if you're interested in working on your own car.

The thing is that am good with my hands and my brains accompany that skill. But i would not want to screw it all up, just because i felt like saving money. That said, i will do what you did - gather experience on the internet and then see whether am rich enough(or not) to get the repairs done by a shop