'96 Platinum Wagon: broken timing belt. 7:18am Topic is solved

[splats]

Hi folks, here's an update on my '96 wagon.

First off, it makes sense (from where I stand) to fix it. Plus, I have the time, and a '99 Subaru on loan from my brother.

Currently, I'm waiting on parts from FCP so the machine shop can reassemble the cylinder head. I'm also waiting on a timing belt kit (which has an Aisin water pump).

I was delayed after one of the head bolts broke on me. I bought a big steel spacer (from McMaster) and had a friend with a lathe turn it down to the proper diameter, which made a *perfect* drill guide. I used a 1/4", reverse spiral, cobalt drill bit. (I slept better after that job was done).

Best case - I have the car back together a week from today. More than likely, it will take a few days more - but I'm okay with that.

[erikv11]

That's great news!

Sorry about the head bolt, but good news on that. too.

[bugs11]

Reading this made me go look up what water pump I put on last year when I replaced the timing belt. Hepu 30751700 from FCP Euro. Pretty sure the pump I pulled off was an Aisin with unknown mileage on it.

[bmdubya1198]

Reading this made me go look up what water pump I put on last year when I replaced the timing belt. Hepu 30751700 from FCP Euro. Pretty sure the pump I pulled off was an Aisin with unknown mileage on it.

Well, at least it's lifetime warranty!

[DragosGD]

Timing belt service? Only VOLVO genuine parts, purchased from a VOLVO dealer!!!
AISIN, HEPU, SKF, VOLVO, you name it... all can be fake, Chinese/India low quality made! The brand, look, label, box, color, smell... FCP... mean nothing, just read on the internet about counterfeit auto parts. Play the roulette game with other parts, not with the timing belt kit!

[bmdubya1198]

They could be faked, but that's why you buy from a legitimate supplier... not eBay. I trust companies like FCP Euro to provide me with genuine parts from whatever brand it may be. If I buy an Aisin water pump, I trust that it will be Aisin. The Aisin water pump is in every way identical to the blue box Volvo pump except for the fact that the Volvo logo is not stamped on it. The timing belt OEM is Continental ContiTech. Same part, different box. Tensioner and roller are INA. Same part, different box. With parts like these, at LEAST buy OEM. If it makes you feel even better, by all means, spend an extra couple bucks and go OE. Couldn't hurt to be safer!

[theWIFES_S70]

I trust companies like FCP Euro to provide me with genuine parts from whatever brand it may be.

+1!

[erikv11]

I generally trust the "trusted suppliers" too, but also take note that there have been documented counterfeits making their way through those outlets too. Ask Ozark Lee about his experience with timing parts; there are others.

On the timing parts, it is actually cheapest (or very, very nearly so) to buy the tensioner and rollers right from the dealer. That's a no-brainer.

[DragosGD]

...The Aisin water pump is in every way identical to the blue box Volvo pump except for the fact that the Volvo logo is not stamped on it...

Identical? LOL!! Companies like Aisin Group have multiple production lines for different clients. VOLVO vs. FCP is like day vs. night for Aisin! One is asking for quality the other is asking a low price. Anyway, this is a different story, I was talking about counterfeit products. Do you think counterfeit parts are sold on ebay only? You are wrong. Good luck with FCP!

Good point Erik!

[cn90]

Not true,

Aisin water pump from online vendors (ebay, FCP etc.) is identical to the Volvo blue box water pump.
Aisin does NOT change the product assembly line specs to build one for Volvo and a different quality one for aftermarket.