Installed a new timing belt on my '93 850 on Sunday. 98,800 miles, figured its due for a replacement and all went well. The belt is a 23 m/m wide unit, part # 272327-8. My car was built in 7/93 and probably had been switched over to the wider belt as were the '94's. Can I use the 70,000 interval for replacement? I would assume yes. Well, I guess this belt will outlast my time with the car.

While I was doing this job I noticed the front motor mount was busted. I ordered one up today (for $89.00). I've been feeling a roughness to the idle lately and I wonder if this is the cause. BTW I found it to be harder to get the serpentine belt back on than the timing belt. Not a lot of room to work. My hats off to the Techs that do these in under an hour. (18 minutes is the record?!?)

RussB in CT

The engine mount sounds familiar. I just had my lower front mount (the one under the crank pulley) replaced yesterday. My 1993 has 53K miles, so age is more of a factor here than miles. I considered changing it myself, but didn't want to risk damaging that oil pan. But if you distribute the weight with a 2x4 as mentioned in the other reply, you may be OK. My mount was $89 also. I had vibrations for quite a while.

Also had the lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends replaced. The rubber dust boots were cracked and leaking grease on all 4 parts. Again, I'm disappointed to see these failures with only 53K miles, but I guess after 8 years things start to go.

Dave H.

93 854GLT

96 855

To my knowledge, the '93 T-belts are only identified by engine # when replacing them as it was changed in later '93 production and all the PN info refers to the engine # only.

The earlier belts don't ever get switched as you say, they're replaced by another 50K interval T-belt, not switched to the later 70K type.

What John said about T- belts is on the mark. A worn/broken/colapsed front mount(the one by the crank pulley) will cause vibration at idle. Support the engine under the pan with a piece of 2x4 about 10" long and a floor jack. Take the weight off the mount and unbolt from block, then jack the engine gently just enough to get at the mount to subframe bolts.

Thanks for the reply John O, The parts guy had me get the S/N off the engine before he could determine which belt I needed. I thought 21 m/m t-belts went 50k and 23 m/m t-belts went 70k. I'm surprised to hear that a 23 m/m belt on a late production '93 still has the 50k interval.

>The earlier belts don't ever get switched as you say<

I meant that there might have been a change in production, NOT at a service dept.

I've honestly never measured the belts. There was a change in production which is why the parts guy needs the 6 digit engine #.

I can't guarantee this number (I did not record this properly), but engines with serial #131035 and up came with the wider (23 mm) belt. It did not happen with the new model year. Any Volvo parts department will give you the exact number. The number is on the timing belt cover.

If they only made the belt a few mm wider and make the interval longer...

I wonder what percentage of revenue comes from the new car sales and what from the service.