I am replacing the timing belt (for the second time) on my T-5R. A local, reputable, independent repair shop quoted me a price for replacing the timing belt but also suggested that I replace the drive belt, water pump, and do a coolant flush at the same time. It nearly doubles the price. The local Volvo dealer made no recommendation. Do I need to replace the water pump at the same time or is it just extra work/$$ for no benefit. Thanks.

In my shop I evaluate the water pump on an individual basis, some of them go a real long time and I have yet to see or hear of one taking out the timing belt when it goes, this is not to say that it cannot happen. However, I do recommend changing out the tensioner and idler pullies as well as the tensioner itself at every other belt change. From what you said, this is the third belt going into the car, if you have not changed these components then I would recommend that you do. By recommending that you replace any of these components prophalacticaly what is being said is that the parts you are replacing have already lasted "X" amount of miles, in your case 176K or so, and you are expecting them to go another 70K until you are in there again. If you are doing your own work and do not mind do it over again to change out a component that did not make it to the next interval then you can save some money, I guess, but if something gives it up while you are driving then you are screwed. The other school of thought is that by being proactive and changeing this stuff out ahead of time you can budget your time and money for these repairs instead of having them just spring up at the worst possible time and place.

Mark

Awesome advice, thanks Mark. I'm fortuntate to have all of the service records for this car so i'll go back and see what parts were changed out. Considering the miles, I'm of the mind to just pay more now. The shop I contacted did say the reason it was recommended to do all the work at the same time is because they would have access to it then and it just made sense, assuming the parts needed to be replaced which they were guessing based on the mileage would be the case. Again, thanks for you advice!!