Timing belt broke!

[qwertyjjj]

Heard a rattle and short squeal this morning but thought nothing of it.
Later in the day after a short 30min drive and rest for 1hr, then a 5min drive, the coolant alert came on. Car was too hot to open the reservoir but this happened a few years ago and it only needed topping up. So, I drove on and 10metres later, everything just stopped. No engine, no steering, car came to a slow halt. Engine temp was still registering normal.
The garage says it's the timing belt that broke (it was replaced about 5 years ago so doubt it's under warranty.
The problem is that there's no guarantee that even if they fix it, that the valves will be ok.
How likely is it for something in the head to be broken given that the belt broke?

[matthew1]

How likely is it for something in the head to be broken given that the belt broke?

97%

Yikes, sorry to hear this. How many miles have you put on her in the 5 years?

Remove the spark plugs and try to turn her over by hand. If you're able to do this, the pistons did not contact and destroy the valves.

[cn90]

The shop probably used timing belt from local parts store and did not replace the mech tensioner...

[qwertyjjj]

The shop probably used timing belt from local parts store and did not replace the mech tensioner...

About 100,000km
They did change the tensioner and water pump at the time
Car is now 202,000km (125,000 miles)

[cn90]

What were the brand names of the parts?

[qwertyjjj]

What were the brand names of the parts?

Not sure unfortunately.
How do you turn the car over manually?

[qwertyjjj]

What I find weird is that the coolant emptied and then the belt broke?

[SuperHerman]

A broken timing belt is easy to verify. Remove the inspection cover - I believe it has a couple tabs and two torx screws. If it is broken it will be easy to see.

Almost always a broken timing belt equates to bent valves as it is an interference engine - the easiest way to find out is to put a new timing belt on and see what happens when an attempt to turn by hand is tried. After that a leak down test and/or compression test will tell you all you need to know.

While at it one will have to touch all the pulleys and tensioners which will display what failed. My guess is your water pump failed, the noise and low coolant are my clues. A frozen/seized water pump can take out a timing belt.

So what should you do? If you can repair it your self price out timing belt kit, head gasket kit and $200-500 in machine shop work. If you cannot do the work have the shop give you a quote for the same. Then get a quote for a new timing belt, water pump and pulleys - this is your best case scenario. If you decide to proceed you have ordered the belt so it doesn't hurt to put it on, time the engine and give it a rotation. You should have them do the water pump and related at the same time - it has to be done whether the head has to come off or not.

With this number decide what you want to do. The car can be repaired, but it will not be cheap.

One can also pull the intake manifold off and look at the valves and see if they are bent.

[darrylrobert]

maybe something to do with the water pump possibly failing and tearing apart the belt?...

Volvo waterpumps are very good quality, i replaced mine recently and couldnr find fault with the old one. I suspect someone has installed no genuine parts to your car to save money. Big mistake

[abscate]

I might have my old timing belt from the 1999 in my workshop. I think I can ship,that to Canada in a small box. Pm me your details , I’ll look for it tomorrow ( away today)

I’ve found the large Kobalt 30mm wrench st Lowe’s the best tool for turning over the engine on Volvo’s. Use the open end on the crank nut and put your finger through the box end so you don’t drop it

I see Husky makes a 30mm ratchet one too, if that fits the clearance that would be even better for spinning engines