Alert: timing belt tensioner part# differs for 2004 R cars

[matthew1]

From the desk of Volvo Specialists service writer Brett B.:

• The blue one (Volvo part# 8687851) is for 2004 R cars only.
• Volvo part# 30638277 is used for 98 1/2 To 2003 4 and 5 cylinder motors for the 105k
  service intervals.
• Volvo part# 9440904 is used for 120k service intervals for some 04/05- , R, and non -
  R cars (not pictured here).

As we all know, it's important to get timing belts and their tensioners correct. Besides a wreck, a broken timing belt is the biggest threat a (modern) Volvo faces.

Special "blue" 2004 R Volvo timing belt tensioner required on 2004 Volvo R cars (left). Many dealers don't even know about this. Standard tensioner #30638277 is used for 98 1/2 To 2003 4 and 5 cylinder motors (right).

2004-timing-belt-tensioner-alert.jpg (101.81 KiB) Viewed 4517 times

Part# 8687851 special "blue" tensioner, closeup.

2004-timing-belt-tensioner-alert2.jpg (106.82 KiB) Viewed 4517 times

Part# 30638277 tensioner, closeup.

2004-timing-belt-tensioner-alert3.jpg (104.33 KiB) Viewed 4517 times

[Nevada1906]

So what is it about this blue tensioner that makes it necessary? And why doesn't the other one work in the R engine?

[abscate]

1 it’s blue.

2 we could tell you, but…….

[- Pete -]

Looks to me as though the only diffeRence is that the staked-on key is flipped on the eccentRic. But don’t take my woRd foR it. I haven’t compaRed the 2 side by side.

[abscate]

Uh oh.

Can’t find it on eitheR FCP or Skandix

Might be RaRe paRt

[Nevada1906]

Looks to me as though the only diffeRence is that the staked-on key is flipped on the eccentRic. But don’t take my woRd foR it. I haven’t compaRed the 2 side by side.

All those Rs...well played, sir.

[Nevada1906]

Uh oh.

Can’t find it on eitheR FCP or Skandix

Might be RaRe paRt

Yeah, I noticed.

But again, WHY does an S60R need this one instead of a standard tensioner?

[abscate]

Probably stiffer spring in tensioner. Dual VVTS , MORE hP , more tension in timing belt

Guess.

[volvolugnut]

Probably stiffer spring in tensioner. Dual VVTS , MORE hP , more tension in timing belt

Guess.

This theory has some technical merit to this engineer.

volvolugnut

[Nevada1906]

Probably stiffer spring in tensioner. Dual VVTS , MORE hP , more tension in timing belt

Guess.

This theory has some technical merit to this engineer.

volvolugnut

Sounds reasonable. If I can find one, of course.