3 timing belts in 22months??!!!

deana14 · Post by **deana14** » 29 Oct 2003, 21:23

Hi. I'm hoping someone can help me with a timing belt question...on a 1995 960 wagon.
My local import repair shop has replaced my timing belt 3 times in the last 22 months, is this normal? I keep taking it in for an oil leak and at a cost of about $600 per visit the leak is not fixed yet my invoice mentions this timing belt each time. In all I've wasted $3600 in 22 months and am feeling frustrated. I'm starting to think that as a girl without any car experience I'm being taken to the cleaners!! Any advice would be helpful!
Thank you in advance.

Post by **matthew1** » 30 Oct 2003, 10:13

Yea, something's wrong, either with your Volvo, your mechanic's ethics, or a little of both. Do you have a friend, or friend-of-a-friend, that has car knowledge that can take a couple hours and look at the Volvo, the receipts and talk to the shop? You need someone on your side that knows about cars.

Even another shop might be able to help. Tell them exactly what you wrote in this post.

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 31 Oct 2003, 19:28

The timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 mile, but if your engine has an oil leak and oil is getting on the timing belt then the mechanic will also replace the timing belt as a percaution. That being said the oil leak should have been fixed the first time correctly, if the seal contiues to leak it was either installed incorrectly or the sealing surface is damaged making a seal impossible.

I only recommend using Volvo OEM timing belts, aftermarket belts are cheaper but fail sooner. I would be considering finding another repair shop, I have questions about the quality of the work and as matthew says, their ethics.