Hey guys,

My new S70 is at 112K km (70K mi), which according to the serivce book is the 1st timing belt change. I read about the mid year tensioner change and my car was built in 4/98 (I think), so I decided to check what tensioner it had and take a look at the t-belt while I was there. When I removed the front cover I noticed some plastic pieces laying below the water pump and also one thin little (maybe 1/2 inch) piece of aluminum. I couldn't see anything wrong so I just brushed the pieces out with a screwdriver and put the cover back on. Oh, by the way, my car has the newer style mechanical tensioner. I called my Vo mechanic this morn and told him what I found when I took the t-belt cover off. I'm going to drop the car off at his shop tonight so he can look tomorrow to see where the pieces came from. Hopefully it's nothing important! I posted it here because I'm wondering if anyone here has ever seen something similar?
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '98 V90 > 206K km, '94 964 > 102K mi, '97 855 GLT > 271K km. SOLD: '91 745T and '91 745 NA (I miss both of them!).

Well, my mechanic looked at the car yesterday and couldn't find where the pieces came from. He told me not to worry about it and that it could be part of the bottom cover or something like that. He said if it needs a bottom cover when we replace the t-belt it shouldn't be a big deal.
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '98 V90 > 206K km, '94 964 > 102K mi, '97 855 GLT > 271K km. SOLD: '91 745T and '91 745 NA (I miss both of them!).

That shelf under the water pump collects all kinds of junk :) I would not be too worried and would check the bottom of the timing belt cover for broken plastic and do a visual on the clip where the cover gets held down near the bottom. In either case, should not be a problem.

Klaus

Hi Klaus,

Yeah, that's what I figured, I was just a bit concerned about that piece of aluminum that was with the plastic pieces. Anyway, my Volvo mechanic has the S70 today and he's gonna take a look to make sure everything is ok. The bottom belt cover did seem to be a little loose, maybe that's the problem... As for the t-belt, I have now discovered is has the 105K mi belt. Even though the car is only at 112K km (70K mi), I think I'm still going to replace the belt soon as it's 9 years old and it does have some cracks on the outside. Sound like a good idea?
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '98 V90 > 206K km, '94 964 > 102K mi, '97 855 GLT > 271K km. SOLD: '91 745T and '91 745 NA (I miss both of them!).

Age cracks on the flat part of the belt are OK if they are very small and go from side to side. Cracks on the ribbed part are a no no. Your mechanic will make the final decision.
Probably a good time for the S belt???

Klaus

Yeah, that's what the cracks on the t-belt look like. I know what my mechanic will probably say though; Replace it. Just to be safe due to it's age I imagine. I think the S-belt was replaced last year during the 96K km service as it looks fairly new with no noticeable cracks...
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '98 V90 > 206K km, '94 964 > 102K mi, '97 855 GLT > 271K km. SOLD: '91 745T and '91 745 NA (I miss both of them!).

Chris,
If you get the belt replaced, replace the tensioner too. The early tensioners had a penchant for failing before 105K miles!!

Have fun in that Southern sun :)

Klaus

Klaus,

Oh yeah, I'd replace the idler pully and tensioner for sure. I know that the newer style tensioner is supposed to be replaced with the belt and why not replace the idler as well while it's apart. I'll leave the water pump until the next change though. If my mechanic says everything is fine, I'll just order the belt, tensioner and idler from FCP and drive the car until they show up. So far I'm pretty happy with the car. It needs a few tipical things (RF wheel bearing, heater core), but overall it works great and the thing is FAST!
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '98 V90 > 206K km, '94 964 > 102K mi, '97 855 GLT > 271K km. SOLD: '91 745T and '91 745 NA (I miss both of them!).