B8444S (V8) serp belt tools

[ggleavitt]

Some of you may know me from this site or Swedespeed, I post the same user name. I recently acquired a second V8 XC90 that had 135k miles and I did a refresh of sorts to include the auxiliary belt with tensioner and idlers. There’s also a part in a thread about my snapping off the tensioner bracket nut at the end of a very long day, with a warning to help anybody else that might want to do the same.
At any rate, I am now the owner of two tensioner brackets (one more than I’ll ever use) and I put together a small kit that I’m sending out if there’s interest.

Contents
19mm 6-point socket, ½ inch
½ inch mini serp belt bar
Tensioner holder (Volvo)
10mm hex for tensioner bracket
10mm hose pincer for reservoir side coolant
Assorted plugs for engine side coolant (let me know when we need more and what color)

See https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/stan ... 90.638488/ (it’s in the last post, does not include the long bars or the tensioner). Goes out as a USPS Small Box for a flat rate of $8.30. That will literally be your cost for this kit as you send it on. I’m doing the first send out for free since it’s something I want to do and the last time we did this I had two people take advantage. It’s literally everything you need as far as anything sort of special to do this job (especially the tensioner holder).

Ideally, I would like get a few folks interested and send it out on a journey. If you’re interested in using this kit, PM me here or on Swedespeed.

Thanks

* I looked on MVS and could not find a good write-up for changing the belt. This is one- https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/volv ... nt.338081/

[ggleavitt]

V8 serp belt tools kit is scheduled to go out in late March for a Swedespeed forum member, if someone wants to before or after feel free to let me know.

No harm/no foul if there's not any interest on this site, my intent was simply to share and I had though to expand the audience.

Thanks

[Oka]

I am interested in your tools.
What info would you need from me and from you?
Cheers

[shiloh51933]

I'm interested in knowing the reason for lending out this set of tools? We have owned 8 different Volvo's but this is our first XC90/v8 and from this thread it sounds like there is a possible issue with changing out the serp belt. Could someone give me a heads up on the Volvo 4.4liter please?

[ggleavitt]

Nothing specific, you need a cut down Allen for the tensioner if you replace it and some plugs to seal a few non pressurized openings and if you're really interested in protecting the hydraulic damper in the center of the tensioner while you do the job, the holder is nice to have.

At the time there weren't that many folk publishing changing the belt so I had thought it nice to put a set of tools together since I had two V8s and replaced tensioners both times. Box got loaned out a few times and that was it.

I don't know if there's a good thread on this site and if there is I'll defer to Matthew to post it but on Swedespeed we put together a write-up on how to do the belt- https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/volv ... nt.338081/

Emphasis on slow and consistent when moving the tensioner, it has a fluid filled damper in the center and if you crank too fast you'll blow the fluid out and the tensioner won't work properly again. If it feels like you're not moving anymore at the end of the tension, you're probably at the end of the stops so more tension will eventually break the cast hex that you'll be using your 6-point on.

Special attention to that belt that "almost" makes it when the tensioner is fully extended. If you have a Volvo boxed belt, there's nothing wrong with the belt length and cranking more on the tensioner will NOT make it fit. I broke one a brand new tensioner a few years ago in not paying attention, had to put the old tensioner back on with a new roller. Was very disappointing and completely avoidable.

Folks have just changed the idler roller bearings with some success, this seems a decent option if you're inclined to go in that direction. PN reference for the bearings in the post I think.

Good luck with your belt change whenever you do it. Sooner the better in my opinion, it's a much heat cycles over time with the V8 as it is mileage.

[scot850]

This is something I love to see! Enthusiasts trying to help others. I think for me Robert Spinner (Robert -DIY) is my inspiration to help other enthusiasts, although I have done for years.

I helped fix one students much loved and hard driven V50 T5 AWD this week. Front brakes, diagnosed a frozen rear parking brake cable, replaced the thermostat to fix an overheating issue prior to a trip for him to Washington State.

Also just starting on another students project 02 XC70 that needs a lot of love.

I like to find and send parts to others where they are NLA to get their cars running again.

It is a motivation to give back for me and being selfish, there is a great deal of satisfaction in helping others. Through this I have met many wonderful enthusiasts over the years with big hearts and a willingness to help others no matter what their walk in life.

Neil.

[chitownV]

This is a good video from a couple years ago to help show the process.