1993 Volvo 850, Timing Belt, PCV, Maintenance time!

alexk243 · Post by **alexk243** » 05 Mar 2015, 12:12

So have a few days off work coming up and going to try and knock out some maintenance on the 850. I am planning on doing the timing belt, serpentine belt, and PCV valve?

Debating doing Power steering pump flush

Is there anything else I should be doing while I am working on those. Car has no real bad symptoms right now.

My purchase list is as follows:
-PCV Valve Kit (IPD)
-Timing Belt
-Serpentine Belt
-Oil Filters
-Oil

Anything I am missing?

webstyles · Post by **webstyles** » 05 Mar 2015, 12:32

if you're going to do the timing belt, I would also change tensioners and water pump.

Post by **JimBee** » 05 Mar 2015, 19:57

I agree on replacing other components that are in that belt loop. According to others in a current post, the HEPU water pump that used to be recommended is no longer, so best to stay clear of that brand. Bosch sells one for around $50.00 that I used on my '93. I installed it several years ago and its fine, but don't put a lot of miles on it so can't speak to its longevity, but the Bosch name is still solid as far as I know.

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » 05 Mar 2015, 20:35

It is not worth it to save $30 on a water pump. Buy OEM. Bosch is famous for their automotive electrical components, not water pumps. Even the Bosch spark plug cables aren't good. The good supplier of Volvo automotive components is the one which Volvo picked to manufacture it for them and which the dealer mechanic would install in your car. In the case of water pump it is Aisin.

Timing belt and PCV are two different and independent repairs in a different place of the engine. You will not be able to complete it within a "few days". When one does timing belt, there are many other things to replace such as shaft and crank seals, water pump, tensioner and all pulleys. This is a huge job to study and prepare for if one wants to do it well. This alone may take a week if things go wrong, and they often do.

Buying PCV kits is a mistake. The repair will not be completed at all because some hoses likely won't be correct. I had to return my PCV kit to IPD eventually because of so many issues with it. Since then I only relied on VIDA to pick the correct hoses and ordered all OEM one by one from different sources. There is a lot of info about PCV components in this forum.

Post by **dosbricks** » 05 Mar 2015, 21:53

alex,
Timing belt, tensioner, idler, and water pump replacement is doable in a day if you are well prepared and have the right tools. Front cam and crank seals don't need to be replaced unless they are leaking. If they are, you will know it when you remove the cover and inspect. If that's the case, the job can be put off until all the parts are procured--and as Redneck says, it will take a lot longer to do.

You didn't say how many miles are on your timing components. If rollers and water pump feel good, I only replace them every other TB job. Others may wish for more security and change them every time.

The PCV is a bit more involved, but with the excellent DIYs available on this site it's pretty straightforward. Some of the best include a tool list. Be sure to replace intake manifold gasket.

webstyles · Post by **webstyles** » 05 Mar 2015, 22:50

C'mon guys... A week to do that job, really?
(water pump, tensioners pulleys and timing belt took me 3 hours from start to end and I am not a mechanic - just a computer programmer with some basic tools - and i had never done this on a Volvo before - although I've done it several times on Land Rovers. There's really nothing to it.)

Why would you want to scare Alex into believing it's a week-long job? I don't get it.

Post by **pkc303** » 05 Mar 2015, 23:29

I did mine in a long day, changing water pump, all tensioners, and the timing belt. The PCV system was another day. Just study, and try to get OEM parts for anything that can break your engine. Follow the excellent write ups on this forum. You should be fine.

Remember, turn the belt by hand once or twice through, and get the timing belt right, as it is about $1,000 for each tooth you are off.

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » 06 Mar 2015, 02:00

Because it can easily turn to a week long job if you haven't done it before. Try taking off the crank pulley and replace seals, clean up your oil pump and replace oil pump seal. See how fast you will be removing old seals without damage to the shafts and properly seating new ones. How many of you 3-hour timing belt job have done it? One week is not continuous work. This is what one needs to plan for in case something goes wrong. Of course you don't need to do all that. Do it fast and do 30% of the things that you can do while there. There is also an overhead involving preparing the workplace, tools, lifting up the car, cleaning up and organizing tools after the work is completed. I don't rush and do everything dilligently.

Post by **kahl** » 06 Mar 2015, 08:09

One thing I wish I would have done on the 94 850 was change the voltage regulator. Though this is a high mileage car with 235K on the clock the alternator was original. The brushes were worn causing the alternator to fail. With the intake manifold off it would have been a simple R&R . I also changed the lower coolant hose and the two heater hoses going to the heater core from the block.

Post by **rspi** » 06 Mar 2015, 08:35

webstyles wrote:C'mon guys... A week to do that job, really?
(water pump, tensioners pulleys and timing belt took me 3 hours from start to end and I am not a mechanic - just a computer programmer with some basic tools - and i had never done this on a Volvo before - although I've done it several times on Land Rovers. There's really nothing to it.)

Why would you want to scare Alex into believing it's a week-long job? I don't get it.

Amen...