Engine Damage, NEED HELP - 1992 850GLT

[MB850GLT]

Hi! I'm a new member of this forum but I have done a lot of reading on here before. I need you guys. Disclaimer: I have little mechanical knowledge but I'm a big Volvo lover.

2 months ago my dream came true when I bought myself a 850GLT (automatic) and imported it from Germany to Slovenia. The guy I bought it from was the best dude ever. He is a BWM Developer in Munich and he was keeping the car in great condition! The car had 165k kilometers and it was as beautiful as new despite some small esthetic issues. With the car I got 2 full large boxes of original spare parts straight from Skandix. The car was regularly serviced, literally everything was done as it should be. I made a promise to myself and the previous owner (who had a really hard time saying goodbye to his car) that I will do the same from then on. To sum it up - the dream became a reality.

Immediately when I got back home with the car I started resolving the issues so I could get it on the road asap. The whole process took a bit over a month but I was patient. So, let's get to the bad part. One of the things I have had done was take the car to the mechanic shop and have it serviced. The mechanic is a younger guy who claimed to have previously owned two old Volvo's as well and he was familiar with all the stuff in the car. What I said was: Do EVERYTHING that has to be done, don't even think about it twice. So a bunch of stuff was done, some of which were: serpentine belt change, timing belt and water pump. After the service other esthetical works were done and then I finally registered the car and took it on the road. Until 3 days ago I was living my best life (I'm sure you guys know what I mean), I have just done 500 kilometers with it. 3 days ago I was driving from our house and drove over a really small speed bump. The car suddenly turned off. It turned off so gently that I didn't even notice at first. I tried to crank it 3-4 times and had it towed back home with another Volvo (of course haha). Got back home and opened the engine bay, not a good look. Serpentine belt was shredded on the sides and I could see a bunch of threads around that side of the engine bay. I immediately had it towed back to the mechanics that have worked on it.

Today I have received this: Serpentine belt shredded, got sucked in to timing belt, timing belt skipped a bunch of times, all valves are twisted, some damage to the engine as well. I insist that this is their fault (correct me if I'm wrong). They are claiming that it's not likely that this is their fault, but they understand my frustration and were forced to carry the consequences. I have contacted some folks in the area that are Volvo "experts" and all have said that it is the mechanics fault if this has never been an issue before. The old timing belt that was changed had zero damage. If anything was wrong they are the ones who have to notice it while changing the belt. Am I wrong?

THE MAIN PROBLEM RIGHT NOW: These mechanics can't identify the cause. Has anyone had an experience like this before? I told them to triple check all the pulleys and other stuff. I really don't know what to do. I want to keep this car for at least another 33 years (this is how old it is now) but I don't want this to happen again. After this is fixed I am 100% taking it straight to the expensive Volvo service and will have it completely checked out.

I am attaching all the photos that I have (some are mine, some from the mechanics). I will really appreciate your guys opinion and advice.

(Not) happy to finally post on here, all best,
Jan

[Sveedy]

Welcome and sorry to meet under these circumstances, but I would just find a replacement engine. Just guessing here, but I think that the serpentine belt was somehow not installed correctly, and over the 500km it was slowly being shredded. Then failure. So, yes, I'd say it's their fault. 500km and 3 days is no coincidence.

[scot850]

100% agree with that. Or substandard parts were used. Also check if the serpentine belt tensioner or the timing belt tensor has failed.

I had 93 and shortly after fitting a new timing belt the tensioner started to fail. It may not have happened that way. It could be the timing belt that failed or any of the idlers or the hydraulic tension for the timing belt. All parts that rotate at that end of the engine need to be checked that they perform as the should.

The guys may not have done anything bad, not intentionally, but things like the hydraulic tensioner being compressed too quickly can damage the internal seals or the serp belt tensioner spring failing after being held open for too long.

Really sorry to hear what happened now matter how it happened.

Neil.

[Vova585]

That's one mint looking 850! At this moment I would question how the engine will be repaired? It will likely will need new valves, guides, valve seat work, checking geometry of the cylinder head. Valves alone are a between $25-40 per 1. Cylinder head needs to go to reputable engine shop and they have to assess the damage and give price. Doubt you can find decent engine for replacement given years of the car. However, might be worth looking aroun(but if it was sitting somewhere for God know how long it will likely will not be good). I also under impression that it is mechanics fault. Either used bad quality parts or made mistake with belt routing, installed incorrectly on pulley, was too aggressive during instalation and somehow "nicked" the belt on something sharp(for example used screwdriver to force belt over pulley). No other ideas at this time. If grooves of the pulleys were worn(became sharp) they would eat into the old belt as well. Sorry for this situation.

[MB850GLT]

Thank you guys for the quick replies!

I think it will be really hard for me to find a new engine in my area. I hope it can be repaired back to the previous condition. What worries me is the damage done to cylinder head and pistons. I can’t properly assess the situation because the lack of knowledge. What these mechanics told me is that everything should be fine after replacing the valves, but after what happened I have some doubt in their opinion.

What’s yours opinion regarding the repair?

[abscate]

Just inspect the top of the pistons , you might see slight curves from impact , which are fine.

The bottom end of these engines are extremely strong and bent valves will be fine after a cylinder head job.

You cannot assign blame to this, it could be bad workmanship or a simple bad part. I had an INA tensioner go out on me 3000 miles after a cylinder head job, and had to do it again.

Life.

[Clemens]

A guy I know around here has a 20V NA motor in his basement. we dragged it down there 2 years ago after ripping it out of a 92 that I used for my manual swap. If you can't get yours running with a valve job, I can ask him if he want to part with it. I'm outside of Vienna, so it is kinda close to Slovenia. Since that motor sat for at least 5 or 6 years, I'd really give a valve job a try first.

Btw., the serpentine belt on my 94 T5 act3d up last year, it was probably a bad bearing on the belt tensioner. fortunately, not alot of damage Was done and a new tensioner wheel and a belt later everything was fine again. I wonder how that Serpentinen belt could get intonthe timing bekt housing if it was on correctly...

[Clemens]

Btw., your 850 looks mint. I just really don't like these roundish 92 wheels, they don't fit that super boxy 92 body style.