Should I replace everything on a Timing Belt job?

kaj2003 · Post by **kaj2003** » 23 May 2009, 23:34

So I'm new to this whole thing, and I just bought a 850 T-5R and am wanting to get it back to stage 0. I've read thru a lot of the stickies on this and have a pretty good idea of all that needs to be done.

My question is why do I need to replace all the tensioners, idlers, and pulleys when doing a timing belt job?

It's the difference between a $320 and $60 job (i.e. the ipd timing belt kit). So I'm wondering what's the big deal? Is it really worth $260 bucks?

Is replacing all the extra things besides the belt really gonna save my engine from bending a rod later on?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 May 2009, 05:46

Welcome to MVS.
It really depends on your mileage.
The TB is changed every 70K miles on your car (best to change your Serpentine or service belt too at these times if it hasn't been changed). That said, the Tensioner (at least) is changed every-other belt change- that means 140K, and 280K miles, etc.
The Water pump usually meets its fate right before 200K miles- sometimes suddenly but most of the time, it starts w/ a slow leak. The tensioner pulley also dies eventually and usually starts to seize up at about 200K or a little before that. The Roller also has a bearing in it and it can go bad. Usually when the TB derails and takes the engine with it, it's not from the actual tensioner but from one of these other related parts- Why take any chances? $300 or so is cheap insurance compared to replacing an engine on one of these cars. Btw, you'll get better prices from Darrell Waltrip Volvo...call them and ask for Don or Jamie and let them know you're on this forum: 1-888-289-8658. Besides the water pump (Hepu is fine and OEM for this is Aisin) , I insist on genuine Volvo parts. If you do replace the water pump, don't forget to get a new gasket with it.

kaj2003 · Post by **kaj2003** » 24 May 2009, 06:06

thanks for the tips. I'll call darryl asap to get a quote from him. I've seen his dealership's name thrown around on some of the posts, but haven't looked into it.

I also had a look around the fcpgroten site and found a much better deal on the timing belt package minus the water pump. The only thing I'm wondering is if fcpgroten uses OEM.

I'm just about to hit 140k on the clock. So being a newbie, what I'm looking to replace w/OEM (based on reading the stickies and by what u said) are:

Serp. belt
timeing belt
tensioner pulley
the roller bearing?
water pump + seals (if OEM means better reliability I'll spend more!!!)

Anything else while I have it disassembled?

Post by **wheelsup** » 24 May 2009, 10:07

Do not buy the timing belt kit from FCP. For starters it's not OEM and for seconds numerous people have had issues with their tensioner pulleys. They stated each time that the bad stock was "removed" but yet I got a bad one almost a year after they originally said that.

Personally I don't shop from FCP anymore, although I did buy some filters from them recently (hard to screw those up). I buy my stuff from eeuroparts.com. I have yet to use that dealer in TX but might my next go-around.

The HEPU pump that europarts sells is good quality. It should come with a new paper gasket.

Post by **gshadow325** » 24 May 2009, 18:39

for my 01 convertible, she gets all OEM parts or better. for the beater 99xc70 she gets oem quality equivalent. i have the fcp kit for the last 8000 and its been fine. best advice i can give about the tb, if you want it to last another 80k, get the OEM stuff. change it all, its for the better in the long run.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 May 2009, 19:33

They did finally fix that Ena (believe that's the name- which is OEM btw, but not Volvo) of the tensioner pulley. Btw, FCP does carry OEM parts- just call them, but the previous post is right- if you buy their kit, you'll get non-OEM third part parts.

kaj2003 · Post by **kaj2003** » 24 May 2009, 21:25

thanks to everyone for pitching in! you guys are top notch. I'm just switching from being a long-standing member on the VWvortex forum, and so far I'm liking the good spirit on this forum.

So, I had a poke around eeuroparts and I really liked how straightforward they are and how you know who's making what straight up front. Plus their prices are pretty darn competitive (w/ free shipping on top!). I still have to call the dealer, but so far I'm liking those guys.

I'm just going to replace it all. Better now than later. Is there anything else I should do while I have the airbox and other misc. pieces out of the way? Distributor/rotor, vaccum lines? i dunno, just guessing...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 May 2009, 21:58

Just check the play in all of the moving parts- of course if you find broken vacuum lines in the process go ahead and replace them. I bought silicone vacuum line kit from www.stylinmotors.com for my car and find myself just replacing bad lines as I find them... I also have a bit left over to do the 850 we bought back in January.

MikesS70 · Post by **MikesS70** » 25 May 2009, 13:40

Just had this done at 96K on our '99 S70. The shop replaced the belt, tensioner and a pulley. I asked about the water pump and the service advisor said Volvo water pumps generally last about 200K; they "inspect" the pump for leaks.

Be aware that the 2.4L engine (non-turbo) is an interference motor. What this means is if the belt breaks and the valve/piston timing goes wonkers, the valves *will* hit the pistons and you might as well kiss your car goodbye as you're looking at a major engine rebuild.

I would *not* recommend you leave this to a local shop. I would also recommend you *not* cut corners and use a non-Volvo belt. The risk of catastrophic engine damage should a "cheapie" belt fail far outweighs the reliabilty and peace of mind.

...just my 2 cents...

Mike

98s70sc · Post by **98s70sc** » 25 May 2009, 14:21

About 3 weeks ago my tension pulley failed on the interstate. Since the belt did not break it continued to turn. Every valve was substantially bent, pistons had nice dents in the top. I'm just replacing the entire engine and will be replacing tension and idle pulleys plus the water pump while it's apart. My car has 156k. If it were me I would replace the pulley.