Just wondering if 900.00 is a fair price for a timing belt water pump and
replacement of the tension pulleys. The dealer says that the pulleys go at about 100,000 miles. My 96 has only 37,000 miles but it being 7 1/2 years
old don't want to take a chance. Thanks in advance.

96 Volvo 855 glt wagon.

Read something interesting in an English mag. Cut the timing belt circumferencially 2/3 in. Take off the two thirds. Slide on the new belt, cut the 1/3 off, slide the new belt home. Haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like someone used his head.

I just paid 607.00 at the dealer to have timing belt and waterpump replaced.

Would have done it myself if the water pump didn't fail on the highway. So, the extra 300.00 for the tensioner pully seems high.

Water pump failure can destroy the engine i'm told since it's driven by the timing belt. Glad it held in there.

94 850 415,000 miles.

I've done two timing belts (and serpentine belts) on my '95 855 and one on my '96 GLT using the Haynes manual. Getting the belt off the lowest pulley was tricky, but after seeing these prices, I'm glad I did. No problems with water pumps or belt tensioners, they're stll original. The 855 has 175K and the GLT has 86K. The IPD tool for the S-belt works great, especially with the new belt routing.

Steve

I replaced the tensioner pulley on my 960 (same basic parts) at around 125k due to a persisitent noise. Mechanic (Volvo specialist for 30 years) was suprised, as they seldom seem to go bad. If it goes, its an easy separate fix, and it isn't likely to fail without a lot of warning noise. The same 960 has about 150k and original water pump. However, our '98 XC did get a new pump at the 70k T-belt change, because it was starting to show signs of weeping. Mechanic said he has seen a wide array of lives for pumps, and wouldn't have suggested a change unl;ess it was showing actual seepage. My '96 855T is going to get a new T-belt next week, at 60k, simply because I think that 9 years is as long as I want to let it stay there. I am crossing my fingers that the pump and tensioner will be OK when it is opened up. I really trust my mechanic, and I'll update this with my results.
--
Mike Sullivan ('91 745 (171k), '93 965 (147k), '95 855T (60k), '98 V70XC (78k)

Thanks for the info...I think I'll just replace the t-belt and have the water
pump looked at and leave the tensioner alone if .o.k. Let me know how yours
turns out.
Harry 850 glt wgn 37.000 mi. 89 volvo 240..

Just for info i just replaced my timing belt at 140,000 K and both the tension pully and the water pump were/are fine. Maybe at 210K I might replace.


95 850 Base 5 spd

Tell your dealer to make his profit at someone else's expense. I've never heard of tension pulleys going bad, and if you only have 37k, it certainly ain't gonna happen!

And I agree with the others on the water pump. Volvo water pumps are fairly reliable. Some do fail, but it's a small percentage. And not at 37k miles!

Replace the timing belt and be done with it.

that sounds a bit pricey.

I would just replace the t-belt because of age, and usually that job goes for about $275 with labor.

Unless the water pump is leaking and the pulleys are noisy and wobbly, leave them alone with your mileage. Water pumps in the 850's are solid going 125K-150K miles easy.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

Ok. Then should the water pump be replaced at the 140k timing belt change?

Thanks!

Yes, I would replace the water pump, and the hydraulic tensioner at the 140k t-interval change.

If the dealer is doing the job, make sure they give you a cut in the labor rate, since everything has been removed for the t-belt job.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

I also agree.