S70 T5 -- timing belt kit help

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 17 Dec 2019, 09:23

I have a 98 S70 T5 2.3L and want to buy a timing belt kit for my mechanic.

(1) does my car definitely use 1 of the 2 types (or do I need to get the engine serial number?) (mechanical type etc)

(2) which of these kits should I order? I want to do it right -- want to replace the water pump and anything else that would be prudent. don't want to just "get by" -- want to also replace any part that may eventually fail.

generally, what should I expect for labor cost? this shop does great work.

--- thanks very much

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Volvo-parts/S70 ... belt%20kit

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 17 Dec 2019, 10:02

1998 is the year Volvo switched from a hydraulic tensioner to mechanical tensioner. You could have either one. You need to get the engine serial number off the block or look at the tensioner to see if it is hydraulic or mechanical. Each one uses a different timing belt.

Engine serial number 1266127 or lower = hydraulic.
Engine serial number 1266128 or higher = mechanical.

Hydraulic tensioner.

Mechanical tensioner.

Post by **abscate** » 17 Dec 2019, 10:23

3-4 hours labor is a fair rate for belt, tensioner, and water pump. You can run into trouble on the pump with broken fasteners which can add time.

Post by **erikv11** » 18 Dec 2019, 01:29

Rick's post is crystal clear with all the info but is missing this key point: the easiest place to get the serial number is from that sticker. If you aren't sure just take a pic of the sticker and post it here.

The surest way is to pull the timing cover and look at the tensioner, no mistakes that way for sure.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 18 Dec 2019, 01:45

erikv11 wrote: 18 Dec 2019, 01:29 Rick's post is crystal clear with all the info but is missing this key point: the easiest place to get the serial number is from that sticker. If you aren't sure just take a pic of the sticker and post it here.

It maybe the easiest but not 100% reliable. The timing cover along with the sticker cover can be easily replaced with one from a salvage and there are reasons somebody would do so.

The engraving on the block is not easily changed and there is no rational reason anybody would change the engraving on the block.

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 18 Dec 2019, 07:34

I wiped the damn sticker to read it and it faded. The 4th digit though is a 7 (definitely) xxx7xxx so looks like mechanical.
Big difference in price between the 2 kits here -- (59 and 153)
https://www.fcpeuro.com/Volvo-parts/S70 ... ming%20kit

One is "INA" ? Other Volvo. I usually get Volvo but is it important with this? thanks very much.

Post by **erikv11** » 18 Dec 2019, 08:04

RickHaleParker wrote: 18 Dec 2019, 01:45
erikv11 wrote: 18 Dec 2019, 01:29 Rick's post is crystal clear with all the info but is missing this key point: the easiest place to get the serial number is from that sticker. If you aren't sure just take a pic of the sticker and post it here.
It maybe the easiest but not 100% reliable. The timing cover along with the sticker cover can be easily replaced with one from a salvage and there are reasons somebody would do so.

LOL. Sure, this is possible but probably less than 1% chance. Anyway, as stated the surest, easy way is to look. The stamping is a PITA in my experience.

Post by **erikv11** » 18 Dec 2019, 08:28

mar601 wrote: 18 Dec 2019, 07:34 I wiped the damn sticker to read it and it faded. The 4th digit though is a 7 (definitely) xxx7xxx so looks like mechanical.
Big difference in price between the 2 kits here -- (59 and 153)
https://www.fcpeuro.com/Volvo-parts/S70 ... ming%20kit

One is "INA" ? Other Volvo. I usually get Volvo but is it important with this? thanks very much.

INA is a manufacturer. INA makes the two mechanical parts that are in the Volvo kit, so in theory it is almost the same kit you get in the blue Volvo box. It would be good to know who makes the belt in FCP's INA kit. The Volvo kit has a Continental belt.

The timing belt parts are the single most critical parts on the engine in terms of quality. Even with that whopping price difference I would maybe still buy a Volvo kit for peace of mind. You won't be doing this job again soon, maybe not ever again on this aging vehicle. I don;t know where you are in the midwest but Volvo of Lisle (Chicago) sells it for $136 (https://parts.volvocarslisle.com/p/Volv ... 58261.html), there may be a slightly cheaper dealer source.

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 18 Dec 2019, 16:01

Much thanks ! I know we used the Continental belt on my first replacement. I'm pushing it and worried every time I start the car -- it's been almost 80K since I had it done but the money is there for it now.

Post by **abscate** » 18 Dec 2019, 18:43

The MTBF. Or lifetime on these parts is at least 50% longest the service interval so don’t sweat going over by 10k miles