98 v70 xc unusual waterpump issue and tensioner failure

Post by **Clockboy** » 28 Sep 2015, 06:19

Yesterday I replaced the water pump. The timing belt had been done about a year ago and at the time I made the stupid decision not to do the waterpump. Found a wet area in the timing cover and knew it needed to be addressed. The first thing I found interesting was the old water pump had an issue that I do not remember reading about in earlier posts. The cogged wheel that engages the timing belt was actually rubbing against the pump housing wearing grooves in the housing itself. Explained that metallic squeak on start-up that I could not find. The second was less interesting and more annoying. The mechanical tensioner decided to stop working. It would not allow me to set the tension using the allen wrench. When the bolt was snugged up that center arrangement was frozen in place. It was fine before I touched it when the belt was in place and moved when pressure was applied to the belt. Took it off a couple of times and played with it, but it just would not work. The annoying part is it is only about a year old. I was wondering if anybody had encountered either of these issues and if so how prevalent are they?

Post by **regent** » 28 Sep 2015, 07:25

Clockboy wrote:...The second was less interesting and more annoying. The mechanical tensioner decided to stop working...

I say, the 'second' would be very, very interesting. If a TB tensioner stops working, the outcome is never encouraging.
And a few (somewhat) stupid question(s): how many miles on the failed pump, what brand is the failed tensioner, do you know how much the tensioner bolt was torqued to? (If it were overtorqued to the point of significantly deforming the internals, that could have caused it to fail prematurely in the manner you described)

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 28 Sep 2015, 07:36

Don't tell me, let me guess. You used one of the FCP "OEM Manufacturer" INA tensioner rollers.

Those tensioner rollers are pathetic counterfeits that are warped, causing the timing belt to track off center, and the shoulder on the center bolt is flush with the back of the casting which causes it to bind against the face of the block. The operation of the legit tensioner rollers are not affected in any way by torque other than staying secured or the bolt not snapping since the shoulder on the bolt bottoms out against the block and leaves a few thousandths of play for the roller to smoothly rotate around the mounting bolt.

They have known about this for years - I have personally complained, yet they continue to sell them.

You are very lucky. Buy a real tensioner roller, replace the water pump, and soldier on.

...Lee

Post by **Clockboy** » 28 Sep 2015, 08:29

The water pump is an Aisen. I think original with about 100k. I might have to be more specific on the tensioner. The wheel would spin, but I could not get the tension set. The metal tab where the allen wrench would go would spin around the bolt and never engage the spring loaded temperature arm. It would never apply a spring loaded temperature compensating tension to the belt. It basically turned into an idler wheel. Not sure the torque specs of the bolt before I touched it as I did not do it. I did notice that before I touched it it would move with pressure applied to the belt, but the spring loaded arm was always to the right of the 'window' no mater the temp. Will definitely buy the volvo tensioner this time. As I'm thinking about it I also noticed that the belt was not tracking centered on the water pump and tensioner. There was a slight overhang on both. If the tensioner roller was slanted slightly it might have caused the belt to rub against the inner edge of the waterpump which would have caused the water pump cog to wear against the housing and the tensioner to fail. Just a thought.

Post by **mecheng** » 28 Sep 2015, 10:21

wait a sec.. FCP sells counterfit INA parts? Can you tell looking at the box? Who's to say your local parts supplier is doing the same? I have a few local sources, never thought I'd have to worry about counterfit.

Post by **RussB** » 28 Sep 2015, 12:57

Lee,

You're saying all INA branded manual tensioners are counterfeit?

Factory Volvo tensioners are also branded INA

Post by **regent** » 28 Sep 2015, 14:51

The implication here is that counterfeit components may be sold in nice-looking INA/FAG-branded packaging, which happens a lot more often than unsuspecting honest people would assume...

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 28 Sep 2015, 16:38

This is a mechanical tensioner? If so, disregard the above in your case (most '98s have hydraulic). I have never bought a manual tensioner from FCP so I have no idea what they sell. After being burned by bogus parts I only buy timing system parts that are in a blue box that slides across the counter at a dealership or at least comes in a UPS box from a dealership. For several years I was able to buy OEM parts through the internet at my local dealer and get better than aftermarket prices. Sadly, Hendrick sold out that dealership and the new guys are back to the list price +40% pricing at the counter.

The tensioner roller for the hydraulic system has historically been real trouble if you buy the "OEM Manufacturer" version. The part comes in a plain plastic bag with nothing other than a sticker. INA is cast into it but the casting is very rough and they don't work.

Are you sure you are adjusting the mechanical tensioner correctly? The center bolt on that version does not set the tension. It is a "two wrench" setup to adjust the mechanical version. Like this:

I think you are doing it right and if it doesn't adjust the indicator when the allen wrench portion is adjusted then mechanical tensioner is just plain bad.

...Lee

Post by **Clockboy** » 28 Sep 2015, 18:50

Here are images of the offending part. I think the tensioner just failed internally. Thinking about breaking it apart just to have a look.

Post by **mecheng** » 28 Sep 2015, 19:48

Clockboy wrote:Here are images of the offending part. I think the tensioner just failed internally. Thinking about breaking it apart just to have a look.
20150928_191221.jpg

20150928_191146.jpg

I have the exact same tensioner, it says INA Slovakia, I bought it new last year. The original tensioner looked exactly the same but it said INA Germany. It is very common to switch country of mfg when the car is out of production so I think it is legit. If it's counterfit it is impossible to tell. My original tensioner was making noise. Never heard of one failing like you describe

Post some pics of your idlers.