To belt or not to belt...that is the question 98 V70 Topic is solved

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 24 Apr 2016, 19:43

Ok so I had two cars, a 99 accord and my 98 V70

Sold the accord last week, now it's just me and the Volvo. Timing belt was replaced twice, most recently in 2007 at 140k.

Car currently has 235k, probably needs PCV replaced and timing belt as well. But...it's a pretty dinged up 17 year old car at this point and I'm struggling to justify the time and expense needed to make the repairs.

Part of me wants to keep the Volvo running and do all needed maintenance, but part of me feels like it's probably just better to drop $4-5K on a newer model with less miles and go from there.

If I don't do the PCV or the timing belt, how long could I reasonably expect this car to run? I drive about 10 miles a day and about 20-30 miles on the weekend. Probably will put an average of 6-7500 miles on a car per year.

As it sits right now, Volvo is current on inspection, runs and drives well, and has no known major mechanical issues. Are there ever any symptoms of a dying timing belt?

I suppose I'm asking how long I have till this thing runs into the ground. Not that I want to do it, but I don't think I have a choice. Talk me off the ledge...

Post by **Matty Moo** » 24 Apr 2016, 20:21

The number one symptom of a dying timing belt is when the valves slam into the pistons after either it snaps or one of the pulleys packs it in.

Just replace it and the supporting components then drive it forever.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 Apr 2016, 21:01

I agree...do you want to dish out 4-5K or have a car payment or do the TB and tensioner? I suppose the WP could wait if it's not showing any signs of weeping...that isn't to bad if you do the work yourself which isn't very difficult. On the PCV, you could just drop in a catch can and forget about it unless you're inclined to do that as well...do you have symptoms of it getting clogged up?

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 24 Apr 2016, 22:12

SonicAdventure wrote:Are there ever any symptoms of a dying timing belt?

No, since often times its the tensioner that fails not the belt itself.

I would sell this car on the cheap to an enthusiast and let them bring some life back to it.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Apr 2016, 04:35

No brainer for the TB. 500 at an indie, but you get that back as a running engine if you decide to sell vs a wrecked head.

At 6 k a year, I would expect to easily get another 5 years out of the car.

Post by **erikv11** » 25 Apr 2016, 07:18

Only driving it 10 miles a day, the PCV takes a beating. I think you have to do the PCV if you are keeping it.

Post by **rspi** » 25 Apr 2016, 07:19

Here are the symptoms of a Dying timing belt. The last timing belt replacement was done outside of the recommended replacement interval, meaning more than 70,000 miles has a lab since the last belt replacement and or more than seven years has gone by. The owner is contemplating driving it another day. There are Parts under the hood that are man-made and have surpassed their recommended replacement interval. Lol

In my opinion you have 2 years at that rate. If you decide not to do the timing belt can we start a calendar poll?

Post by **abscate** » 25 Apr 2016, 07:26

Your TB interval is 70k on that model You are at 100k, or 150% of interval.

Ive crudely estimated that 100k is the MTBF for the belt/components, so you adding another 30k is going well into the wrong side of the Gaussian curve. You are probably down to the 10-20% chance to make it another 30k

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 25 Apr 2016, 07:55

You can buy another car for 4-5k and still have to do repairs on it. At least with this car you know what you have and 4-5k still in your pocket.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 25 Apr 2016, 08:17

MadeInJapan wrote:I agree...do you want to dish out 4-5K or have a car payment or do the TB and tensioner? I suppose the WP could wait if it's not showing any signs of weeping...that isn't to bad if you do the work yourself which isn't very difficult. On the PCV, you could just drop in a catch can and forget about it unless you're inclined to do that as well...do you have symptoms of it getting clogged up?

Yes, there are symptoms of PCV clog, as evidenced by doing the tests on rspi's YouTube page; smoke from dipstick, glove filling with air. What is the "catch can" you mention? If there is a cheap work around for PCV I'm interested, and maybe I can find a way to get some help on the timing belt. Anyone around the Philadelphia area who could give me some pointers about DIY timing belt work? Never did something like that before, but wouldn't mind trying as the parts aren't that expensive and I do have tools.