Well, I bit the bullet and bought a 97 850 GLT with 68,000 miles, nautical blue, for $13,300. The car seems to have all the factory options (heated leather seats, wood dash, fog lights, spoiler, sport suspension, etc.) The paint is in great shape, and only minor wear on the leather seats. So I'm very happy!

The honeymoon is over, though, and I have to replace the timing belt. Unfortunately, I'm not a do-it-yourselfer. I admire you guys immensely, but whatever work that's done on this car will be done in the shop.

My question: dealers have quoted 300 bucks for replacing the timing belt. An independent shop that I really trust said that when they replace the timing belt, they also like to replace some connected parts. (Don't remember what he said--maybe a hydraulic tensioner???) In any case, the bill for replacing the timing belt at the indy shop will be 500 bucks. Is it worth it to pay the extra money to have these parts replaced?

Also, the indy shop recommended changing the water pump at the same time. After reading through some of the archives, I'm inclined to NOT change the water pump right now, unless the mechanic finds any leaks while changing the timing belt. Smart? Stupid?

Thanks.

Hi there,

Listen, I had my timing belt replaced by an independent Volvo shop
at $131.82 CDN !!! $75 for the belt and $56.82 for labor,
all local taxes included, (approx $85 US)

... but at $300 just for the belt, it sounds a "bit" high

Dennis '96 854

On my 97 854T5, the T-belt was done at 77K according to the service records; I had planned on adding 70K miles to that(about 147K) and then do the belt again; I'm comming up on 139K and was wondering if i should do it now anyway, and should I do water-pump and tensioner too????

BTW, P.E that price for T-Belt replace is not "too bad"; my NYC dealer will do my T-Belt and tensioner belt for $250(plus tax); if you live in the tri-state area, you know how expensive everything is. Where are you located; that price seems a bit high for the car. did you get an extended warranty to 100K/6 years? if so then it was a fair deal! good luck, BD

I'm in Colorado. I based my negotiations partly on what other people were asking for similar cars in Colorado, and also on the Edmond's "True Market Value" (or something like that.) Edmonds TMV allows you to put in many variables (condition of car, location of car, options, etc.) and comes up with an average price for similar cars in your region. Got mine for less than the Edmond's figure, but maybe things are a little more expensive out here. Dealer was asking for 14,900 for it.

300 sounds just about right. you should have them do the serpentine belt and that should be it, unless the water pump, etc are shot. since he is already in there, and like you said, a shop would do all the work for you, might as well have him change the serpentine belt (since he is going to remove it anyway).
regards and good luck.

I did the timing belt on my '95 and it took some time. Bay 13 has very, very good instructions. The hardest thing is getting the new belt around tyhe harmonic balancer (cut the old one and pull it out) Give yourself about 6 hours. I replaced the water pump while I was there -- not too hard, but use some 3 bond or other adhesive to glue the gasket to the pump. Beter have 1/4" ratchet and extensions / swivels too!! It took some time, but saved over $500.00. Be careful in compressing the hydraulic tensioner. Do this SLOWLY in a vise -- the fluid is very viscous. Change the serpentine belt too. You will need he tool to get it around it's tensioner -- buy it from IPD. Good luck

Don't buy from IPD -- see how to do it for $.75:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/serpentine_belt.php

Bay 13 says replace the belt and inspect the tensioners.
The dealer has them in stock and will replace as needed.
I guess the indie assumes they need replacing and orders
them. (I've faced this dilema myself wondering what I do
if I find the tensioner leaking when I replace it myself).
At any rate, at the 70K mark the tensioner is probably fine.

Bay 13 web site:

http://volvospeed.com/bay13.htm

Don't replace the water pump unless it has an obvious problem.
They rarely fail.

Indie hops may be hurting in this economy. Mine hired a
service writer who tries to get me to replace all kinds of
stuff (including the water pump at 60K "cause they go all
the time"). I once trusted this shop and gave them my business.
I no longer do since the service writer guy started.

You are going to get a lot of advice about your post. My two cents: There are not really any "connected" parts that need to be replaced unless they are shot. He's probably talking about the tensioner and maybe some pulleys. These items do need to be checked, but they are probably fine. If the tensioner is treated with some care, it's fine to re-use. I would not do the water pump either, unless it is leaking.
I can (barely) swallow the 300, but 500 is out of line. I did mine myself, it really is not too bad.
Welcome to the 850 world!

Ted

96 854 GLT

Ditto and welcome!
--
Erwin in Memphis, '95 855t

I plan on replacing my tensioner at the 140,000 mile TB change. (Volvo specifies the tensioner at 105,000 with the belt change on the '99-up cars). I'm also considering the rollers water pump etc. Or maybe not. Anyway, you do still have 2000 miles to think about things. I replaced mine at 70,024.

Welcome.

-bill d cat

did the wife's '96 with the 2.3 at the dealer at 70K I don't rmember hte price, but I think it was less than $500.00

and when I asked about the waterpump they said it inspected just fine and so no need to replace. Said nothing about tensioner either.

We did it at the dealer b/c they threw in a waranty with the car when purchased and it's much harder to deny a waranty claim when they do the work like that.

When I had my '95 850 done at an indie, the price was $250-$300 and I don'tremember what he did (two years ago almost, and I've had other stuff on my mind since)