1999 S70 T5 Timing Belt interval

[i4gotmyid]

So...I am working on this volvo which I inherited from my father in law. I have already done a ton of work and was going to put it all back together when I saw the serpentine was dry and cracked. From the sticker, the timing belt (mechanical not hydraulic tensioner) was changed only 10,000k ago, but that was 1/2018. With the serpentine belt being dry and the age of the timing belt, do I assume the timing belt needs to be changed too? The belt looks good but didnt know if it has a shelf life

[scot850]

Read this:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/timin ... volvo-pdf/

You may find that the timing belt was changed but not the serpentine at the last change.

The way I look at it, was the car left for long periods sitting unused and not started? If not then the belt should still be good. If the car was left standing unused for a long time and not started, the belt could get compromised by sitting in the same position for a long time.

The 99 on belt (if you are doing it yourself) has a few challenges to get it right. Your car has VVT on the exhaust side of the engine which makes setting up a bit more challenging.

Bottom line, if any doubt have it changed. It is cheaper to change the belt and tensioners than the cylinder head rebuild. What is the mileage on the car and was the water pump swapped the last time around?

Neil.

[i4gotmyid]

It looks like the pump is an original Volvo, the car has 99k miles, so I doubt it was changed with the timing belt. The car hasn't sat, it was just used as a grocery getter...I think you are right about a cheaper option than a head replacement, but, but, but...i just want to drive the car, not just work on it haha!

Also it does seem like the serpentine belt and pulley were not changed with the timing belt...is that normal practice? My father in law always took it to a local Indy Volvo mechanic shop which is well respected, I would have assumed they would do both belts

[scot850]

It may be they changed the timing belt based on time rather than mileage. In theory, Volvo says to swap the pump every 2nd timing belt. As your car is a 99 it should be on it's 3rd belt. I'm thinking it may be on the 2nd and someone didn't realize the age v's mileage issue.

It could be at the time of the last timing belt change the serpentine belt had previously been changed and was in good shape and left. Now 5 years later it is bad due to age.

I would swap the serpentine belt as a minimum as when they break they can take out the timing belt cover and the timing belt. If you know where the car was serviced, they might still have records for the car you can look at or get a copy of?

That may help you decide what needs done or not.

Neil.

[abscate]

On a 1999 it’s 105k miles and 12 years.

It’s miles that kill them ,not time

Serp belt every 60 k

[scot850]

Not often I disagree with Abscate, but on this one I do. Rubber continues to harden up to 10 years, just like your tires. At 10 years the rubber has hardened to it's highest level and therefore has the least flexibility. I guess we could argue the rubber belt, unlike tires, is in a sealed UV protective case so that does help. I come back to the unknown. Cheaper to change a belt than a cylinder head. In this case I would also suggest the pump is probably good at the mileage.

Neil.

[454cid]

The car has a sticker recording the timing belt change in 2018, and that's well within Volvo's specs. I see no reason to use the serpentine belt's condition as a timing belt life indicator over a dated sticker and Volvo specs. Change your serpentine belt and maybe inspect the area under the timing cover just to be sure nothing is going on, like a bad water pump, or whatever.

[i4gotmyid]

Thanks for the advice, I swapped the serpentine belt, noted the original water pump, perfectly clean, no leaks, so I will probably save up to do a timing belt/water pump and get this baby on the road sooner rather than later