2000 S70 N/A Timing Belt Replacement Problem(s)

twp705 · Post by **twp705** » 16 Sep 2012, 15:19

Looks like a popular day for this job! I didn't want to hijack someone else's thread, and it looks like I have a slightly different setup than today's other poster, so I am starting a new thread. This is my first post to the site, but I have been using the site as a resource for the last six months or so, and all of the information that you guys provide has been invaluable. I have never done more than the most rudimentary maintenance on any of my cars, but with your help I have been able to completely overhaul my front suspsension (replaced both front strut assemblies including mounts and seats, control arms, inner and outer tie rods, sway bar links), replace shocks/mounts. trunk struts, three engine mounts - the list goes on and on. Your How-To posts are always spot on and have saved me a lot of money that I didn't have! I am extremely grateful.

My 2000 S70 (N/A) has approximately 170,000 miles, and I'm pretty sure that all of the timing components are original. Back in the spring when I started getting serious about getting the car in the condition it needs to be in, I researched and ordered all the parts I needed for the suspension overhaul (I sounded like the Beverly Hillbillies rolling down the street and couldn't stand it anymore) along with the timing belt kit from FCP (all Genuine Volvo). I wasn't confident that I could do the timing job myself and just didn't have the funds to pay someone to do it so I decided to get my feet wet with the suspension job. After completing all that, I was still feeling pretty overwhelmed by the timing job so I kept putting it off. To cut to the chase, this week the seal on the tensioner blew. I started hearing a clattering/clacking noise at idle and quickly figured out that it was coming from under the timing belt cover. I was able to drive the car home without issue (only the clattering at idle). I started reading up on what I needed to do here on MVS and got started this morning. Luckily, I already had the kit on hand. When I got the covers off the timing, I saw that the seal had completely blown from the tensioner. The metal ring was lying inside the lower timing cover along with the ball bearings. Pieces of the orange gasket were everywhere. The belt is still in place, but it looks like it probably skipped a few teeth. I don't think there is any damage to the valves.

I have searched and searched, but all of the pictures and references seem to look different than my cam pulleys. From what I can gather, I am assuming that my engine has VVT (although I really don't understand what that means). The markings on the timing cover are on top, and not offset. What I need to know now is which markings are the timing marks on the cam pulleys - the small grooves or the "M" markings? On the larger pulley on the right, there is an indention on the back of the tooth above the 'M', but not on the one on the left. I'm not sure which is intake and which is exhaust. Also, I finally found the marking on the crankshft gear, but I can't see the mark on the engine to align it to. Here are a couple of pictures - can someone help?

: Cam Pulleys; P1010126.JPG (676.25 KiB) Viewed 2133 times

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Sep 2012, 16:36

Hopefully you haven't removed the belt or moved anything yet. If you haven't, tighten the tensioner back to the point where the indicator is "in the window".

On the '99 the timing marks on the camshaft pulleys line up at the 12:00 position. Snap the front half of the upper spark plug cover, the one that goes over the timing belt area, and look for the two notches above the camshaft pulleys.

I can see one of your crankshaft marks, there will be two, and they center on the ridge on the face of the oil pump. On the '99 and 2000 there is also a ridge on the front of the crankshaft pulley but it is hidden behind the harmonic balancer and it can be hard to see by eye.

Once you advance the engine clockwise to the point where the timing marks line up continue clockwise 90 degrees and then rotate the engine back, counterclockwise, to the marks. This sets the VVT properly.

From this point on it is pretty much like any other 5 cylinder.

After you get everything back together rotate the engine by hand several revolutions and re-check the tensioner and make sure the indicator is between the two marks. After you start the car and run the engine for a few minutes check the tensioner again.

The timing belt on the '99 and 2000 models is actually a bit easier than the older cars once you figure out the differences.

...Lee

twp705 · Post by **twp705** » 16 Sep 2012, 16:47

Lee -
I haven't removed the belt or done anything other than rotate the crankshaft in an attempt to get the marks lined up. I don't think I can tighten the tensioner (i didn't loosen it, it is in the same position it was in when I removed the cover). The tensioner is completely blown - I think I could pull the cylinder right off the tensioner if i tried. The only thing holding it in place is the belt. Which mark is the correct one on the cam pulley - the grove or the "M"? I haven't been able to get them both lined up - I'm wonder if the belt slipped some teeth...

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Sep 2012, 17:09

The M means nothing, you need to go with the scribed lines.

This is from a turbo which has variable exhaust timing rather than variable intake timing but this is what you are going for.

If the tensioner is shot we need to figure out

a) if the belt did slip.

and if it did

b) how much did it slip.

If it slipped at speed by very much then there is a good chance that some valves got smashed along the way.

...Lee

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Sep 2012, 17:34

One other thing,

Remove the spark plugs before you move the crankshaft much more. It greatly reduces the resistance and the chance of the belt slipping.

...Lee

twp705 · Post by **twp705** » 16 Sep 2012, 17:51

Lee -
I removed the spark plugs before I turned the crankshaft (I was following your 850 writeup

). I will try to get the notches lined up. If I cannot, does that mean that the belt slipped? And if it did, how do i get it lined back up? I've read that if the crankshaft pulley is lined up properly then it is safe to adjust the cam pulleys to get them in line - is that accurate?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Sep 2012, 18:13

twp705 wrote:Lee -
I removed the spark plugs before I turned the crankshaft (I was following your 850 writeup ). I will try to get the notches lined up. If I cannot, does that mean that the belt slipped? And if it did, how do i get it lined back up? I've read that if the crankshaft pulley is lined up properly then it is safe to adjust the cam pulleys to get them in line - is that accurate?

That is generally accurate if you are only off by a few notches. Much beyond three or 4 you might be able to get things lined back up but there was likely valve damage done.

The only thing you can do is give it a try and see where you are. If you can get things lined back up and get a new tensioner on - even with the old belt - you can then do a compression check and see where you are. Good compression on all cylinders means you are golden and you can start back at zero with the timing belt change.

...Lee

Post by **Pauloil** » 16 Sep 2012, 19:49

I love the picture in Lee's second post of the mark on the front of the oil pump with which to line up to one of the marked valleys on the back of the harmonic balancer. I had to use the shadow from a small handheld light to see mine. that is the most impt mark!! find it first after getting the top marks close. follow what Lee said about 90 degree rotation to set the VVT.

twp705 · Post by **twp705** » 17 Sep 2012, 16:58

Lee -
Thanks for all of your help. Luckily the marks were only 1 or 2 notches off and I was able to get everything lined up. After a late night, I now have a new timing belt, tensioner/idler roller. water pump and serpentine belt ( not to mention the new coolant - the stuff it replaced was just NASTY). I couldn't have done it without you (and MVS of course). Again, many thanks!

Tommy

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 18 Sep 2012, 14:54

Well done sir!

I like stories where it all ends well. Thanks for closing the loop.

...Lee