1998 S70 is Timing Belt job easy?

[Dualhammers]

Recently purchased the S70 as my first adult car. I've never done any automotive Maintience before besides checking the oil. The mechanic I was referred to quotes $1300 for the entire set including WAter pump as well as the Serpentine belt. I don't have any tools besides a socket set.

In short is this a first good job to learn on? I'm a computer repairman and game dev so I am technically inclined just never worked on big machines before.

[tryingbe]

I would not recommend you to do the job, since you have so little experience working on cars. Get a 2nd opinion, timing belt/waterpump job on a S70 is 2-4 hours job with someone that have experience.

[FLXC90]

Have to agree, this is arguably the most critical regular maintenance task on the car. This would be a good job to learn with a mentor over-your-shoulder, but not alone. I suggest you reach out to other forum members in your area ( There's even a sub-forum for that)

A proper timing belt job(especially if you don't have full history on the car includes the belt, tensioner, tensioner pulley, idler pulley, and water pump. Look at the kits available through the online vendors and maybe even a dealership. Look for INA pulleys and Aisin for the W/P. Continental is the factory belt.

Do this right the first time, and you'll be good for many years. Welcome to the club!

[abscate]

This should be about a 600 dollar job. 1300 is way out of line.

You shouldn't replace the water pump unless you are approaching 200,000 miles

Buy parts and get a mentor to help out on this live.

[cn90]

Well, you are a computer man, you may be able to handle this.

I wrote the DIY below. Too bad you don't live here, otherwise I can walk you through this.

DIY: 1998 Volvo S70 Timing Belt, WP, Cam Seals, SB Overhaul
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=53722

PS: Or fix a lot of computers, make some $600 and ask a local Volvo mechanic to do it for you.
Some dealer mechanics moonlight on the weekend: they usually charge $50/h when doing it from their home.

[kahl]

This post is very interesting to me given where does someone start doing their own maintenance. You got to know your limitations and you got to start somewhere. The O/P knows how to check oil witch puts him 80 percent above the average person. He fixes computers so he can read a manual. The steps laid out in CN90's DIY timing belt are broken down into simplistic righty tighty lefty loosely tasks.

I would recommend the followings:
1. Get your tools together
2. watch the numerous Vids on YouTube while you read CN90's narrative.
3. A coach would be great either in person or on that Skype communication device.

If you get overwhelmed you can have the car flat bedded to a repair facility.

[erikv11]

I think one does not start wrenching with a timing belt job on an interference engine. Fast trach might be to first do a tune-up, then maybe a PCV job, acquire at least a few essential tools along the way, then you will know if you are ready to dive in.

In short, there is no way someone with only a socket set will find joy in a timing belt job.

Not alone anyway; bring in some tools and experience! This case is a perfect one for the find-a-local-member routine, I completely agree with that.

[cn90]

The way I see timing belt job: it is relatively easy if people take time and follow directions.
The problem happens when:
- People use "wrong" parts (counterfeit INA pulleys or no-name TB): the problem does not happen right away but some 10K-30K miles later.
- People do not align the TB properly, and fail to turn the crankshaft manually at least twice before firing it up.
- Compounded by the tight space, it makes it more difficult.

The TB job, to me, is much much easier than doing suspension (strut) work.

Think about it this way: if the engine is out of the car and sits on a bench or engine stand, then the TB job is child play. Even a 10-year-old kid can do it lol...
In situ, it is another story, the space is tight...

[abscate]

I'm going to bite on this one.

If you can spare the car for two weekends, and the week In between, go for it.

That gives you plenty of time to get out of any jam you get into with advice here.

[erikv11]

If you go forward (I still think best not to do it alone but opinions are just that ) then a first step would be to get all of the tools, here is a start:

jack (floor jack highly preferred but not essential)
two jackstands
30 mm socket for the crank pulley (this is essential)
adapter (3/8 to 1/2) or 1/2 ratchet to be able to turn the large socket
L-shaped torx for the pulley
other torx bits for the fuel lines etc, maybe get a set of L-shaped torx
serp belt tool
pliers for pulling the pin

Read several the online guides and/or watch videos, see if you think you can do it.