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

[bmdubya1198]

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.

I agree. From what I've read, the Aisin WPs are literally Volvo WPs with the "Volvo" stamp ground off.

I'm not saying parts can't be counterfeit and sold anywhere, but I believe when two products are almost exactly the same visually and are exactly the same quality, you should get the cheaper one unless you have the extra money to blow on OE. I just don't like getting parts from the dealer, it's more of a hassle than it's worth. They rarely have what I need in stock, and I can buy genuine parts cheaper from FCP if I'm not in a rush. The dealer is of use to me for small o-rings and stuff when I don't feel it's necessary to pay $7-$8 on shipping for a $2 part or when I'm in a pinch and I need something that can't be had at the junkyard in good condition.

[DragosGD]

They do not change the product assembly line specs. Totally different assembly lines, one can be in Slovak Republic another can be in Mexico. Like your S70... one was born in Sweden at Kalmar Plant (yours!!), other was born in Belgium at Ghent (same car different specs & quality). FYI: your FCP Aisin WP is not double checked by a FCP team... something new for you? Yes, VOLVO has a quality control team for parts providers and they use a rewards program for them. I'm out!

[misha]

Are you saying that one same Volvo made in Sweden have higher quality than the one made in Belgium or vice versa?
You're so wrong.

They are all the same quality but have different specs for various markets.For example....U.S market cars have different specs than EU market or U.K market cars.That stand for emissions,headlights,equipment....but quality is the same for ALL.

[850 LPT]

I can only agree with that. I have owned Volvos that were manufactured both in Sweden and in Belgium. And I would say that I cannot detect a difference in overall built quality.

[abscate]

The Belgian Volvos haven better waffles ...

[bmdubya1198]

My Volvo is Belgian and I love waffles.

[abscate]

My Volvo is Belgian and I love waffles.

But do you like pancakes and French Toast?

[bmdubya1198]

My Volvo is Belgian and I love waffles.

But do you like pancakes and French Toast?

Of course!

[splats]

Ok, I'm done. It took a month, and about a thousand dollars, but Pearl the Platinum Wagon, runs again. Now comes the worry that will last a little longer than normal this time...("Did I do something wrong?", and "What was that noise?")...

I would've rather have spent the money on new struts, but that'll have to wait (hopefully...).

[erikv11]

Kudos to you!

There are a lot of ways to make the cost estimate, but a thorough DIY head rebuild, via the machine shop, usually ends up being around 1k.