I have read on the 900 FAQ'S and other places that the 92 960 timing belt must be changed every 30K. Just got off the phone with the local Volvo dealer's service dept., they changed it 30K ago, they told me it needs it every 50K. Are they wrong ? Also,what should I expect to pay at an independent? Thanks in advance.

Unless I see something in writting from an authorized Volvo manual, I will religiously stick to 30K.
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John Shatzer, '92 965 @100K; one of a few still in captivity.

NM
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'96 965 at 89K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

Up until the last change at 130, I had been going on the assumption of a 30k interval. At 30k I had a very reputable independant garage change it, and he showed me that he used the same part number belt as used on the 5 cylinder engine which carries a 50k interval. So, I am going to split the difference and go with 40k. I have 150 on the car now, and will get it changed again at 170, and save the nail biting I would otherwise do for that last 10k. I I paid approx. $140 labor and $40 for the belt (p/n 271952) a year and a half ago.

Even though the part is the same as on the 5 cylinder it is driving the cams for another cylinder! Additionaly, the even number of cylinders tended to set up a resonance that increased the peak load.

CHANGE IT AT 30K!

Spend the $30 for the Volvo green manual for the engine and change it yourself! It is an easy job. Then the cost will be $70 next time and $40 the time after that.
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'96 965 at 89K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

The 50 K change is for the old 'red' and reliable 4 cyl engines. Listen to the guys on the 30K change - these 92's demand changing at 30k.

dick

Thanks for replies. Your anwsers confirm what I thought but the dealer made me wonder if something had changed.

I believe the interval is still 30k with the modification. (They added a damper to the exhaust cam so you should see a black thing behind the pully on that side.)

The job can be done by a DIY type in 1.5 hours so that's the most labor I would expect. The timing belt is VERY EASY to change on this car. Don't take a chance because the engine will be close to junk if the belt breaks!
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'96 965 at 89K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

The early 960 started off with a 20K interval. Then there was some modification that could be done which lengthened the interval to 30K. I don't know what year the 30K interval started, but that's what it should be now. Whoever told you 50K is wrong. Change the belt NOW if it has 30K.
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