I have an interesting problem where the timing belt tensioner that is specified for this car does not appear to be correct. According to the engine serial number and the VIN number it should use a 30637955 tensioner with two large ears to locate it in relation to the engine block.

The tensioner on the car is ( I believe ) 30638277, which has four little tabs punched out of the plate behind the bearing. The first tab sticks up, the second one is folded back, third up, fourth back. The 2nd and 4th tabs locate the tensioner on a raised boss sticking out of the engine block. The boss is a good fit in between the tabs.

The 30637955 tensioner does not appear to bend back far enough to engage the boss on the engine block and the boss on the engine block would need to be 2-3 times as wide to engage the ears and securely (accurately) locate the tensioner.

Has any one run into a problem like this ?
Does anyone know if the timing belts are the same for early and late mechanical tensioners ?

The serial number break was at 318XXX and this engine is 327XXX. The tensioner does not have the little hydraulic cylinder like an 850.

Thanks

Greg

FCP doesn't show tensioner 30637955 coming into play until 2005

http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-engine-timing-belt-tensioner-30637955
Scroll to bottom to see what it fits.

Problem solved. Ines at Tasca looked in both timing belt kits, saw that the timing belt is the same part number in both, and sent me the one with the 30638277 tensioner.

Why this car has an 'earlier' tensioner is still a mystery. Maybe Volvo found a pallet of old engine block castings and decided to use them.

Next, it will be interesting to see if both front cam seals are the same size...

Greg

We also have a 2004 xc70 and when I got the parts for the timing belt change,I had to get the parts for a 2005 xc70 to match our car,

What serial number is your engine ?

Greg

Is this what you are looking for?:
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-engine-timing-belt-tensioner-30638277-1

Yes, there are two different types of mechanical tensioners for the XC70, so be careful.

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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

That is the part that should not be, but is on this car.

Greg

Mary's car already has 210K miles on it? The Tbelt and tensioner are good for more than 105K miles.
If this is the first belt change, then use only the tensioner that looks like the one on the car already, regardless of the engine number.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

150,000. All she does is drive it around.

I don't believe in that 105,000 mile change interval. Factory timing belts used to good for the first 60,000. Replacements were good for 90,000. US makes a law that timing belts are part of the emissions system and emissions systems have to be covered by the manufacturer for 100,000 miles. Timing belts are now good for 105,000 miles...

70,000 miles +/- is good enough for me. Besides, I have to pay for bent valves. And pay and pay for someone getting stranded.

Greg

Things have gotten better over the years as far as timing belts go. The manual tensioner, barring the 1999 model year, is better than the old hydraulic tensioner as far as belt life goes. Belts are also stronger than they used to be.

So the Tbelt interval for the 2004 XC70 is actually 120,000 miles!

From Volvo's maintenance manual:

**** Models identified by engine VIN codes 39 & 64 sold in California, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York and Maine are classified as PZEV vehicles. The timing belt and tensioner replacement interval for these vehicles only is 15 years or 150,000 miles / 240,000 kilometers.
***** Service interval for engine VIN codes 59 & 61 only is 120,000 miles or 192,000 kilometers
****** Service interval for engine VIN code 59 is 120,000 miles / 192,000 kilometers. Service interval after first service for all turbo models is every 45,000 miles / 72,000 kilometers. No service required on engine VIN code 68.
******* Service interval for engine VIN codes 38, 59, 61 & 68 only is 120,000 miles or 192,000 kilometers.
For service intervals beyond 150,000 miles, consult your authorized Volvo retailer. Maximum replacement time interval for all engines except engine VIN code # 39 & 64 is 10 years.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic