To belt or not to belt...that is the question 98 V70 Topic is solved

[erikv11]

... Volvo changed the tensioner mid year 1998, and those engines still had the distributor-type ignition system, spin-on oil filter, ETM, and no variable valve timing. That all came along in the 1999 model, I've never seen a '98 with the coil-over-plug engine. My car has the mechanical tensioner, but it's the older engine.
OEM for the hydraulic tensioner is Aisin, I think.

OP- yes, you have a hydraulic tensioner. I agree with Robert, do it all. If the car is in good shape, it's definitely worth fixing it up and keeping it on the road.

Yep, Aisin makes the OEM hydraulic tensioner.

No ETM in 98,that also didn't come along until 1999. Strictly a mechanical throttle in 98.

[bmdubya1198]

Oops, I added that later and forgot to put "no" in front of it.

[MadeInJapan]

All good to know-it's been awhile sense I dealt with all of this- I'm pretty much on the P2 models and the P1 (S40) I recently purchased!
Yes, I would do it all too! Knowing the WP is original is huge- it will go before the next TB change so why waste time, money and energy- pay now or later and later will be much more!

[rspi]

LOL, I had the excitement of changing mine on the side of the road. Water pump started leaking as I was towing a trailer from Arkansas to New Mexico. When I crossed the Oklahoma border I seen my low coolant light, pulled over in a rest area, and the water pump was dripping coolant out from behind the passenger front wheel. I managed to make it to AutoZone and get one of their pups. 20 years and 258000 Miles, go Volvo water pumps.

I guess I should add that the timing belt was hanging off of the water pump about a quarter of an inch. I didn't have much longer with the engine running LOL.

[bmdubya1198]

Wow... it's incredible how quickly you got to that!

[Sommerfeldt]

Yeah... didn't see there were 4 pages to this. Ignore me, please...

[SonicAdventure]

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

Been looking all over for a bundled deal on the belt, rollers, tensioner and WP, but can't find it all in one.

Any ideas or leads? How about from any site sponsors? Most of the bundled kits have the mechanical tensioner.

Can I use the mechanical tensioner? Is either system preferable over the other? Thanks

[polskamafia mjl]

The first four results on FCP bring up kits with the hydraulic tensioner. Are you sure you're looking up the parts correctly? Not to mention a couple of users posted links to parts for you already...

[erikv11]

The links I posted from the dealer site are your best deal for the belt, rollers and hydraulic tensioner.

I would couple that with your preference on the WP, place two orders and be done.

People have definitely switched from hydraulic to mechanical tensioner, there are just a couple things to figure out, do some searching if you want to do that. I think the only things are you would need to change the rear plastic timing cover, and make sure the block holes are threaded for the other tensioner. Haven't done it myself, thought about it once then just went with the hydraulic again. Hydraulic tensioner requires no adjustment and lasts longer (two 70k timing belts vs one 100k timing belt) but is more expensive.

[bmdubya1198]

You're not going to get any deals with the water pump included in the TB kits. Buy the WP separately, it will save you money.
Here is a genuine Volvo kit w/out the hydraulic piston from FCP: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... o-30758260
ContiTech w/ piston: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... kit252-oem
ContiTech complete w/ WP: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 252wp-oega

...so it seems the price with the WP adds up and makes sense with the Conti kit. The Contitech/INA/Aisin combo are all OEM parts, just aren't blue box Volvo.