questions from a new volvo owner

aghosh · Post by **aghosh** » 26 Dec 2004, 15:03

Hi, I recently bought a 1998 s70 T5 with 60000 miles.

Do I need to change the timing belt and the associated parts(hydraulic
tensioner, water pump/thermostat, aux belt/idler pulley/etc) at this
point?

Can somebody please give me the contact for any good volvo mechanic
in Edison/North Brunswick/Princeton (New Jersey) area?

I have noticed washer fluid leak today. Will it be expensive to repair. If I
can do it by myself, can somebody provide the details?

Thanks and Regards

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 27 Dec 2004, 10:05

The service schedule for the T-belt is 70K miles on your car. I would highly recomend getting a Haynes manual. It list the recomended service schedule and processes to performa maintenance on your car. The $20 the manual cost will pay for itself with the first maintenance job you perform on your car.

kenk · Post by **kenk** » 29 Dec 2004, 00:13

used to live in the edison area... there was a good shop in metuchen but the guy lost his lease, dunno where he moved.

not in the area anymore so i dont really know what to tell you, i think volvo of edison is okay. probably safe for a tbelt.

i think the consensus is the water pump should last probably up to 135k, same with the tensioner. The serpentine belt is not a bad idea its cheap, you should not need the tensioner on that or a new thermostat.

might not be a bad idea to get it taken care of now, the interval is 70k. but the volvos are valve benders if it breaks.

aghosha · Post by **aghosha** » 29 Dec 2004, 09:18

Thanks a lot for all of you

twobricks · Post by **twobricks** » 31 Dec 2004, 14:43

In mid `98 model year Volvo switched from the reliable hydraulic tensioner to a mechanical one. The latter should be replaced on the first T-belt change. If it fails and the belt jumps tooth, the pistons slap the valves = $4500 repair.

Engine serial #1266127 and down have the hydraulic tensioner and engine #1266128 and above have the mechanical one. The engine serial number can be found on the front of the timing belt cover.

tht828 · Post by **tht828** » 01 Jan 2005, 06:31

The best(and most reasonable) mechanic in Princeton area is Art's Garage. He has recently relocated to Ewing. He has been my mechanic for the last 10 years. The phone number is 609-530-1499.

As the responder above recommended get the timing belt checked ASAP. The $4500 cost for a new head is very real. It happened on my 93 850.
Volvo began installing wider belts in 1994, but the best advise is to do the maintenance.