1/4 Million mile cambelt change

[Foeux]

Dear chums,

I am guilty of often coming on here to find the answer to a problem with my 940. Partly through your help, the Golden Slug has reached 225,000mi - thank you very much.

As a reward for moderately reliable service, I treated it to a new cambelt, cam, intermediate and oil seals, new coolant, thermostat and water pump sealing kit. I sent it to a local Volvo specialist called Cadley and I thought the bill of £375 was very good. I could have had a go at the job but would likely have stuffed something up and had to redo it so £375 for a new cambelt and a resolution to the problem that has been eating the top water pump seal seems great value!

Cadley were very useful, clearly very busy and crucially, they are properly enthusiastic about old Volvos.

As far as you should trust the next stranger with an internet connection (perhaps not at all), I recommend Cadley and of course, I recommend a 225,000mi Volvo 940.

F

[Forrest]

Sounds a good set of tasks to have got done, and not a bad price by today's standards. All set for the next 100k miles.

I had always regarded changing the timing belt with some sort of mystical level of difficulty; but it is actually fairly easy on these cars. I tried it for the first time during the pandemic when I had to continue using my car as a key worker but it was difficult to get work done professionally.

My main advice for anyone wanting to do it themselves is to get the right tools. Using the Volvo crankshaft locking tool and the two correct front seal insertion tools makes the job safer and much more likely to succeed first time.

[Foeux]

Originally Posted by Forrest

Sounds a good set of tasks to have got done, and not a bad price by today's standards. All set for the next 100k miles.

I had always regarded changing the timing belt with some sort of mystical level of difficulty; but it is actually fairly easy on these cars. I tried it for the first time during the pandemic when I had to continue using my car as a key worker but it was difficult to get work done professionally.

My main advice for anyone wanting to do it themselves is to get the right tools. Using the Volvo crankshaft locking tool and the two correct front seal insertion tools makes the job safer and much more likely to succeed first time.

This is what I was concerned over.

Had I got it even a bit wrong, it would have been a start from scratch job with adjunct tool/kit buying.

For the money, it felt good to have someone who can do the job in their sleep, with the right tools, do it quickly and efficiently. They have me the old parts back. Showed me where the oil leak was, showed me that the tensioner seal was just starting to break down and shed lubricant etc. Peace of mind for 100k mi is nice. It also means I can 'trust' the car to do a long journey without the spectre of the water pump seal failing catastrophically and embarrassing me!

I've had a lot of cars but this one more than any other is under my skin. It is far from perfect but I want to see it succeed and carry on moving. Lots of cars I've bought, owned for a bit, fixed up and sold on once I am bored - a tick box exercise.

This one is a keeper... Despite its high mileage, it is a 'better the devil you know' situation. For the meagre amount I would get selling it, I can't think of anything more versatile, useful, comfy and amusing to own. There is also the joy of knowing that at 225,000mi, it is far from done with. Like a Casio digital watch, a hand made leather belt etc. there is nothing intrinsically rare or special about it. It just has a job and does it well. The indestructible, cockroach factor is pleasing.