Cheap Timing Belt Discussion

[SpooliWagonMan]

Hi all

This is my first post on here, and I would just like to get some opinions on my situation. Last year in July I changed my 2000 V70 XC SE's timing belt in an IHOP parking lot in Georgia at 2 am, and the next day it took me to Texas. Earlier that year I had replaced my 96 Integra's belt too. This past winter the Integra's belt broke It is a non interference engine, so I just threw a new one on and kept truckin. That said, I'm aware my V70 is not so forgiving. Both kits were cheap af, but from different sites. Now I'm super worried. So for the people on here who have ran with cheap belts or not, should I just go and get an expensive kit and throw it on asap?

The car has +225k on it now, is my daily, and is super solid. I want to get it to 400k, but if my cheapness grenades the poor thing that wont happen.

Thanks all!

[WhatAmIDoing]

Can't stress this enough: Genuine or original equipment manufacturer only for the timing service! The $200-250 spent is good insurance to keep your car out of the scrapyard for the next 80k+ miles.

[June]

Can't stress this enough: Genuine or original equipment manufacturer only for the timing service! The $200-250 spent is good insurance to keep your car out of the scrapyard for the next 80k+ miles.

Including waterpump OEM or genuine Volvo only. Your waterpump is to be changed every other belt service. So at 200K it should have been changed.

Personally my car is on its second belt and I had the waterpump replaced both times. Also front crank and cam seals were replaced on my car both times.

According to my dealer mechanic Volvo factory belts rarely fail, it's the tensioner, pulley, or waterpump that usually fails causing the belt to jump.

I would get that cheap belt out of there and install a Volvo belt kit with crank seal and waterpump. So you can drive the next 100K without worrying. June

[RickHaleParker]

Cheap belts on an interference engine are cheap not cost effective. ASAP, get a cost effective Volvo or OEM and do a timing belt service, before you lose it all.

[SpooliWagonMan]

I should have mentioned I did the water pump and pulleys too, my bad. Thank you all for the advice. When I have an income again this summer, I think I'll make getting a good OEM kit on the car a priority.

[June]

I should have mentioned I did the water pump and pulleys too, my bad. Thank you all for the advice. When I have an income again this summer, I think I'll make getting a good OEM kit on the car a priority.

Aftermarket waterpumps have been known to fail in as little as 20K miles. If it wasn't Volvo replace it. June

[SpooliWagonMan]

Ah! you have heightened my sense of urgency a bit. Could you direct me to the best place to buy a kit?

[June]

If you don't buy parts from your local Volvo dealer, than there are online retailers such as the ones that advertise here on MVS, or places like Volvo oem parts direct which is a Volvo dealer up North but sells at discounted prices. Don't use Ebay or accept a open box as either could have had the factory Volvo parts swapped out. When it comes to the timing belt and anything it touches must be genuine.

You can cut corners in other areas of service. I have read woes here too often with aftermarket belt kits and waterpumps failing early. June

[850 LPT]

Agree with all the comments above.

If you don't know the brand of water pump that went into your car, replace it immediately with an Aisin brand pump (this is OEM) along with the TB and components OEM only.

Take it from someone who spent $4000+ for a replacement engine after the cheapo WP failed at 130k on my 98' V70XC.

Dirk

[RickHaleParker]

Timing belt: Volvo or Contitech (Continental).
Water pump: Volvo or Aisin.
Idler & Tensioner: Volvo or INA.