The owners manual recommends timing belt to be replaced by 112,000 km (70k miles). Is it safe to go beyond the recommended distance? Also I was told that the water pump should be replaced at the same time to save on future labour charges, as the useful life of the pump approaches its end at 112k km. Is there any truth to this recommendation.

Appreciate any advice.

Louis

I recently changed my 98 s70 timing belt at 94k! miles and it looked as if it could have gone many more miles. I opened the cover and inspected the belt at 70k,80k,and 90k miles and it looked ok...but I of course couldn't see any internal damage to the belt. It is risky not to replace it at the recommended interval but its your choice..and money if it fails. Its was very easy to change mine (with the mechanical tesioner)I also changed all the pulleys and tensioner along with the serpentine belt.

A '98 S70 TB change is suppose to be at 70K MILES, not KM. From '99 and up it changed to 112K miles. You are very lucky yours didn't break.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

Do not exceed 70K miles without a new belt. Replace the serpentine belt while you are at it. The water pump should be OK. The tensioner will need to be replaced at 140K.

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

You should not go much beyond the recommended distance. If the belt fails the engine will be very seriously damaged - maybe needing to be replaced. A good mechanic when doing the belt change will inspect the water pump (as well as belt tensioner and pulleys) and replace it if it shows clear evidence of leakage or bearing failure. Some owners are replacing their water pumps at the 2nd timing belt change (140K miles). Only a few posts on this site have reported water pump or timing belt failures but they can happen.

If you are handy at all you can remove the upper timing belt cover and inspect the belt yourself for wear, glazing, cracks, missing teeth, contamination by oil, etc. If any of these are seen replacing the belt would be urgent.

On first TB change, the pullies and tensioners should be checked and greased (in a way that it doesn't get on the TB. This will insure that they are good until the next change.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.