2007 S60 Timing Belt-Age vs Miles

vtdog · Post by **vtdog** » 07 Oct 2014, 14:56

I have a 2007 S60 AWD with about 52000 miles. I know that the book does not show the need for the TB change until 120k miles. but on a number of Volvo forums there are a lot of people who recommend changing the belt at 7 years regardless of miles due to rubber breakdown. So, I have a couple of questions:

1. Is it really necessary to change out the TB with only 52k miles. The car has been in service about 7 1/2 years. It has "lived" its whole life in New England (very cold winters and generally not too hot summers) if that matters.
2. If I have the belt changed (don't think I can do it myself), should I also have the pulleys/tensioners and water pump changed at the same time. Based on the 120k recommended service it would seem that those parts are at about 60% of their life. It seems foolish to change out mechanical parts way before possible failure due to a belt change, but I am unsure.
3. If I go to a dealer (I have one in NH that is great) what should be the approx. cost.

Thanks

ttrikalin · Post by **ttrikalin** » 07 Oct 2014, 19:23

I believe the manual says 120K/10 years for the timing belt.
I would personally go with that, and would change the water pump and tensioner and idler at that time.

If the pulleys fail, the belt will break, and the engine will sustain damage.

You should factor in the total costs of your choices. changing the water pump later incurs additional labor costs; the money saved by using the part longer, may be more than offset by the additional labor cost.
Not to mention the reduction in the likelihood of catastrophic failure.

take care

tom in MA

Post by **vtl** » 07 Oct 2014, 19:57

Most of Volvo shops (who don't want your mortgage papers in the very first visit) around Boston says: "Water pump every other t-belt change".

Water pump in wife's 2002 V70 is not leaking. Change the belt, tensioner and idler, ~$120 in OEM parts. T-belt is easy job, in fact.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Oct 2014, 03:51

You should change the belt on time in 2017 roughly. If you are driving the car on the same light mileage pattern, skip the water pump when you do it, as the recommended change is 200k and you are a cheap NewEnglander like me.

Timing belt job is belt, tensioner and idler pulleys with OEM parts only, of course.

Replace your coolant every three years or so to help that water pump live its full live too.