Unfortunately, this week my daughters '98 V70 rolled over to 210k, and the timing belt broke. It was last changed with pulleys and tensioner at 140k, so figured It was safe to wait until christmas vacation (2 weeks) to change it again. Guess I was wrong. What a bummer.

Anyway, knowing this is an interference engine, what are my changes of not having any valve damage? After the car died, she obviously tried to start it, as most anyone would. Is it reasonable to install a new belt and run a compression check, or am I wasting my time?

It's been about 25 years since I've changed a head ('72 240Z). It was pretty straight forward on a straight-6, non-interference. Is the V70 worth tackling? I can't see taking it to a garage, due to cost(car is in dire need of a paint job, and the leather looks pretty bad, though suspension components and axles are only a couple years old).

Thanks,
Kcarl

Another one bites the dust! Call a couple of salvage yards close to your daughter's school and see what they will pay for it. Then advertise it on Craigslist for around $800 and see what kind of nibbles you get.

There will be at least 2 bent valves. Replacing the valves is not cheap, and the labor is a lot more than the old iron blocks. While the head doesn't require machining, the valve seats and valve seals will need work. Remember, there are 20 valves, 40 keepers.

There is a FL outfit that can send you a reconditioned head for a reasonable charge, but only if you DIY because a mechanic will charge you more than the car is worth.

Car shopping is fun! Just get on Craigslist and do by owner first. Remember to stay away from 2001 Volvos. Sometimes, I filter the list by 'wagon' to get all of the makes. Who knows, perhaps there is a 'cheap' Mercedes 320TE??

EDIT:
There are 2 TEs. But this VW looks real nice: http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/4133221067.html

Thanks for the responses. I've been looking on craigs list for some time in hopes of finding a new car for the college daughter and passing the V70 onto my 16 yr old daughter (figured it would be a good one for learning to drive).I've always shunned turbos to avoid additional maintenance,though I do like the extra boost they give. Some people shun craigslist, but I've found great deals for all sorts things there.

When looking over the car this morning,the underside has a heavy, and somewhat fresh looking coating of engine oil over it, so maybe something else was failing. Over the past 3 years, I've had to frequently remind my daughter to check the oil level ,as it would drop a bit between oil changes (for Christmas a couple of years ago, I attached a large, gaudy necklace to a qrt of oil and gave it to her as a gag gift - seemed to work!). Recently, she said it stopped going down, though she was still checking it weekly. When I checked the oil level today, it was maybe 3/4 quart high on the dipstick - interesting.

We've had the v70 for so long (since late 97 - our kids grew up in it),and I've worked on it so many times, it's hard to see it go. Many thanks to all at the brickboard who have helped me keep this thing going. I distinctly remember KlausC advising against non-volvo timing belts - Sorry I got into a hurry.

Thanks again!
Kcarl

Kcarl,
I have an engine from a 2000 S70 GLT SE, pulled and replaced due to upper oil passages clogged. Didn't realize it at the time that all it needed was to be cleaned out. It had only 75K on it when pulled. I bought and installed one from Eire Vovo.
I will offer it for sale, complete or parts.
Contact me at tom@tlestrange.com if interested.
Tom

Seems like you've had it since new? If true, then you know the maintenance you've put in and can judge whether to fix or not. You have a soon to be new driver....perhaps you sink the needed cash into it to fix it and then pass it on to the new driver? Even at a cost of 2k or so you are still looking at that for a used beater, and who knows what sorts of issues are presented then. At least even with the V70 you still have side booster airbags and the SIPS protection system. I don't have kids...yet, but if I did I'd rather them in an older V70 than a Focus or Corolla.

Its all cost benefit at this point, if car has been highly maintained on your end I'd get it sorted and then pass the baton to your new driver. Stats show a new driver will likely get in some fender bender in short time, and its a tank of a car.

Only concern is the oil at this point....perhaps you even call around to a boneyard and find a whole new motor, change TBelt and pay an indy to swap it?

Best of luck.

Steve

At a minimum you have at a few bent valves.

My local Volvo mechanic/friend quoted me $2500 to fix a friend's S80 (6 cylinder, 24 valves) with a busted timing belt and just a few bad valves. I'm going to guess you'll find it will be at least $2000 unless you can do the work yourself. Probably a good time to find another car. Best of luck with it!

The pulleys and water pump turn fine. Maybe one of the rollers seized when hot. I can't see the tensioner to tell if it gave, but it was replaced new at 140k, as were the other parts. Thanks to all of you for replying. I guess the new car search begins. Man how I hate shopping for cars. Any advice for how to unload the V70?

K. Carl

Craigslist as a parts car or an "as is" car. If buyer intends to repair it, have them sign a note you've drawn up stating that they bought the car "as is" or as a parts car so you can protect yourself from any liablilty.

FYI - You should get at least $400-500 for the car. Maybe more... Ask for more and be willing to come down. Two years ago I sold my 93 850 with a bad tranny for $500 "as is" on Craigslist.

If you're still thinking about fixing it you could tow it to a mechanic to diagnosis the damage. That should cost you very little. Or pull the head yourself.

You certainly have bent valves, I don't see any use in throwing a new belt on it. Did belt actually fail or tensioner let or pump seize. Either way, this is a big job, there is a great link out there, that I can't find at the moment (tracey's soaps or something like that) that shows the job in detail. My opinion for whatever it's worth is, unless car is in stellar shape, I'd get another one. These vehicles can be had cheap with way less than 210K on the clock. Good luck.

I just pulled the broken timing belt off. It was from NAPA. As I remember, the new one sent from Groton for 140k mile change had too many/few teeth, and I needed to get the car back together within the weekend, so I went to NAPA, damn. Anyway, I also saw a lot of oil under the spark plug cover, so guess I need some serious PCV maintenance.

Kcarl