posted by
someone claiming to be ezvictor
on
Fri Jun 18 07:59 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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I have just become the owner of a 1996 960 wagon (2.9L 24v -122K miles) I can't find any evidence that the timing belt has been changed at 70K and would like to do it myself. I am no pro mechanic but have done my fair share of brakes, clutches, starters, tune ups and other tinkering. Is there any reason I should leave this to a pro or could I do it myself? Also, any advice from you veteran Volvo owners on what other components I should inspect/replace at this age and mileage?
Thanks for your help!!
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ezvictor,
It's definitely a DIY job. When your ready let me know and I'll PM you some very detailed instructions. That, along with the FAQ's and this list will get you thru it with ease.
DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 068,300 and 1995 964 152,300
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posted by
someone claiming to be ezvictor
on
Fri Jun 18 15:33 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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Thanks very much to Spook and Robert for the info!
Since posting the original querry, I did a little detective work with a dealership business card I found in the glove box, called them up, and they pulled up the VIN and say that it shows it had a full 70k service at their shop. Now asuming this is a good record, presently at 122k, when should I plan on doing the belt again again? 140k or earlier?
Thanks and great site!!
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Dear ezvictor,
Good a.m. and hope this finds you well. Glad you did not take wrongly advice about not starting/driving a 960, with what then seemed to be a timing belt long over-due for a change. I was - am willing - to seem alarmist, if that will keep someone from what will be a costly and bitter experience.
I suggest you get from the dealer copies of all records. Offer to pay their copying/postal charges. Urge them to "black out" the name of the former owner, to protect his/her privacy. These should make them willing to share the records with you.
It should be a source of comfort to see on their service records, the cost of the timing belt change at 70K.
There are all sorts of things, that it is useful to know have been done, or not.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
spook
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i've done 2 with success.make your marks before hand and take your time.watch out for the hidden pin under the crank pulley,it will ruin your day.
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83 242 DL -129k, 92-965-195k, 94-965-207k, 84-242 GLT-Gone, but not forgotten,83-245GLT-1'st brick (the 1'st 3 currently on the road)
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Plan on 140K miles. I'm at 136K.
--
Warren Bain - '99 V70GLT G-Valve > 80K mi, 89 300SE, '96 965 >120Kmi, near Manassas Va.. Check the 700/900 FAQ via the 'features' pull down menu. This post written with 100% recycled electrons.
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Dear ezvictor,
Good p.m. and may this find you well.
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR AT ALL - DON'T EVEN TURN IT ON - UNTIL YOU HAVE CHANGED THE TIMING BELT!!
IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE IS SCRAP METAL!!
This is not an exaggeration: It has happened to brickboard contributors.
When a 960 timing belt breaks, the valves HIT the pistons.
Absent evidence, your timing belt is 52K miles overdue for a change.
I realize this may sound alarmist.
It isn't. Read through posts and you'll hear heart-breaking tales of the cost of broken timing belts on 960s.
Please post back.
Yours faithfully
spook
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It should be well within your capability to change the timing belt. First time I changed my timing belt (960), the car ran poorly when I cranked it. On investigation, I never could determine exactly where the error was. I couldn't find the reference mark on the crank (it's hard to see, and I never did see it). Long story short, I finally had it towed to the dealer to set the timing. When it came back running smoothly, I looked to see how they aligned the marks.
Oddly enough, the marks on the cam gears did not line up with the reference notches on the plastic cover. One of them was off by a couple of teeth. I've never understood or had explained how the car can run well with one of the cams off by two teeth. I have seen references on this board to cars with the cam gears installed incorrectly, making the reference marks inaccurate.
The next time I changed the belt, I ignored the reference marks and made my own marks with whiteout on the cam gears and the crank pully. I made sure the replacement belt was positioned exactly like the one that came off, and everything went smoothly.
Good luck,
Robert
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posted by
someone claiming to be Benzcrusher
on
Sat Jun 19 17:02 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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I did mine at 95,000: I had recently bought it and I couldn't verify if it had been changed. For some piece of mind and $15 extra I bought a genuine Volvo belt from my local dealer. I went ahead and changed the water pump since removal of it requires removal of the timing belt; The original pump looked almost new inside and out, amazing......Aftermarket water pumps are only about $45 anyway....
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