Timing belt life expectancy

[volvoid]

I have just bought the delightful 20-year old 850 with 32,000 miles from new.
I dont plan to alter the car, just use it and enjoy it, although it might get LPG

Timing belt was changed by volvo dealer very few miles but 8 years ago, when car was 12 years old. How long do the belts last ? What about tensioners etc ?
Its an awkward job that I dont want to do.
What do people suggest ?

[AcidicDavey]

The official schedule from Volvo is 8 years or 80,000miles but people suggest lowering this to 6 years to be safe.

The belt on my car was 10 years old but had only done 40,000 miles. Changed for peace of mind

It's your call really but is it worth the risk??? I guess you could remove the covers and inspect for perishing of the belt?

[wrinkles]

They recon it should be done regardless of miles at 6 years. I would change it every 35000 miles any way. I have a 940 with only 52000 on it and it has been changed at 23000 and again because of the age of the belt at 49000. the old belt looked like new but I had it done for piece of mind.

[OvlovS70]

Originally Posted by volvoid

I have just bought the delightful 20-year old 850 with 32,000 miles from new.
I dont plan to alter the car, just use it and enjoy it, although it might get LPG

Timing belt was changed by volvo dealer very few miles but 8 years ago, when car was 12 years old. How long do the belts last ? What about tensioners etc ?
Its an awkward job that I dont want to do.
What do people suggest ?

Hello,
I wouldn't touch the tensioner, clan on here will confirm this.
The belt, I'd get it done now, genuine all the way.
Congratulations and well done on a superb purchase. Are you planning to keep it low mileage?
Cheers

[RollingThunder]

I usually give a cambelt a life of 5 years or 50k miles regardless of manufacturer recommendations. If it snaps the result is catastrophic so its a cheap insurance policy. A whiteblock cambelt is a really easy job so you're only looking at the price of a belt if you do it yourself - as previously stated I wouldn't touch the tensioner or water pump at that mileage, I'm sure they'll be fine.

NB Fit a genuine Volvo belt, not a cheap ebay special. You'll be able to sleep at night then

[volvoid]

A quality belt it will get then !
Doesnt look easy, 20valve engine - I think its a twin cam. How to do it ? Do I need any fancy tools ?

[capt jack]

It's not a difficult belt to change. A highly reputable Indy close to me does them for £185 all in. He's just about to do my Saab 93 for me, which is basically a Vauxhall Vectra engine, but for about £100 more. He said that the Volvo is an easier belt to change. For the price of two decent tyres I reckon you're best option is get done. I have done RWD Volvos myself before now, but the FWD engine bay is cramped, and for £200 or so it just seems better to leave it to a garage. Plus if course their work comes with a warranty.

Peace of mind well worth it.

Cheers

Jack

[RollingThunder]

Its cramped, I'll agree with that! Have a look at DIYRoberts how to on youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpNgDfvRcVI

Only difference may be the tensioner type - I had the old spring type, but there is the later hydraulic one as well, so you'll need to get the right one. Removing the serpentine belt is the hardest part if you don't have the correct tool. I did my V70R without the tool - made up a ghetto tool which failed of course. Did the same job a few weeks later on another V70R with the correct tool and it was a piece of cake, a 2 hour job IIRC.

You don't need to remove the crank pulley BTW - you can feed the belt behind it. A bit fiddly but it doesn't take long