1998 V70 Timing belt, cylinder head work 330k miles!

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 13 Apr 2015, 17:35

Hi -
I have been slowly returning working parts to my car since the timing belt came off while driving. I have replaced the water pump and timing belt, but have a question about the secrets of installing a hydrauli tensioner. When I have the timing belt wound around pulleys and gears, there is no space to install the tensioner. I can see the lower bolt hole and part of the upper bolt hole, but how does not move the pulley to gain access to the bolt holes to bolt in the tensioner. In the alternative, I have loosened the timing belt and installed the tensioner, but then there is not enough slack in the belt in wrap it around the gears and pulleys. I am in a conundrum - it you know of any secrets about this issue, please do help me! Many thanks!

Post by **kahl** » 13 Apr 2015, 17:41

Have you compresed the pin in the tensioner and pinned/locked the pin in the compresed configuration?

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 13 Apr 2015, 18:32

Yes, I have!

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Apr 2015, 18:40

Install the tensioner (and its bolts) with the belt off, the belt is the last thing to go on. Then, when everything is all set, release the tensioner.

Post by **xHeart** » 13 Apr 2015, 20:02

5rivers wrote:Hi -
I have been slowly returning working parts to my car since the timing belt came off while driving. I have replaced the water pump and timing belt, but have a question about the secrets of installing a hydrauli tensioner. When I have the timing belt wound around pulleys and gears, there is no space to install the tensioner. I can see the lower bolt hole and part of the upper bolt hole, but how does not move the pulley to gain access to the bolt holes to bolt in the tensioner. In the alternative, I have loosened the timing belt and installed the tensioner, but then there is not enough slack in the belt in wrap it around the gears and pulleys. I am in a conundrum - it you know of any secrets about this issue, please do help me! Many thanks!

There are several posts on timing belt job. Which instruction or MVS write up are you following?

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 14 Apr 2015, 05:11

There are several I have been referring to (traceystruesoaps is one of them), but there is one in the repair database (the 33-step version for a 98 V70) that I have bookmarked.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Apr 2015, 07:15

We are all pulling for you KM. hope that head is ok.

If I recall I think you have over 300,000 miles on your V70?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Apr 2015, 07:27

What will not work is having the plastic spacer installed while you install the timing belt. The spacer has to go on after the belt is in place and the "grenade pin" is pulled. The spacer can be a real bear to get installed but it is somewhat important. The spacer saved my bacon when I had a tensioner fail on my '94.

...Lee

Post by **xHeart** » 14 Apr 2015, 07:47

Ozark Lee wrote:What will not work is having the plastic spacer installed while you install the timing belt. The spacer has to go on after the belt is in place and the "grenade pin" is pulled. The spacer can be a real bear to get installed but it is somewhat important. The spacer saved my bacon when I had a tensioner fail on my '94.

...Lee

I remember the struggle, and your very pointer during the TB task on 1997 850.
Thank you Lee!

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 14 Apr 2015, 08:38

Yes, my '98 Volvo V70 has 321,6xx miles on it!

Thanks, Steve!

It turns out that the little piece under the crankshaft gear that the belt needs to be routed between it and the crankshaft pulley/gear was what I had not noticed until I actually took the belt off again and felt for it. I read a Bay 13 tutorial on removing the tensioner/timing belt/water pump that had mentioned this small piece of steel/metal. I think it was referred to as a "standoff". Then I had to make sure the belt was routed between the bolt retainer for the lower timing belt cover and the crankshaft pulley/gear. I was then able to pull up on the tensioner pulley and route the rest of the belt. Surprisingly, there was room to install the tensioner!!! It looks like I will need to adjust the exhaust pulley by one tooth before pulling out the nail I have holding the tensioner in and doing the "2-revolution" test on the crankshaft pulley/gear to make sure all the marks are aligned.

I am hoping the car will start/run long enough to get it into the driveway! Working on the street is great for catching up the with neighbors but is not my preferred location especially with alternate street parking!
I will keep you all posted on the outcome! Appreciate all your good wishes