Timing belt - water pump change or not?
 

Evening,

Sorry if this has been covered in detail before, probably has. My S40 (1.9 D) is ready for a timing belt (it had one at 70,000, and it's now at 145,000). As is logical, generally speaking people change their water pump at the same time. However, whilst getting some estimates from a few garages, DPA in Nottingham, who specialise in Volvo repair, have insisted that the water pumps have caused little to no bother to them at all, that it is unnecessary work (but of course I'm welcome to have it changed if I asked). Other garages as well as mechanics I know personally have generally insisted it would be foolish not to change it.

Is it a case of some garages wanting to charge for extra work saying it's essential, or perhaps not specialising in Volvos specifically so just assuming it needs doing? Do I just go ahead and trust the specialists and just get the belt done?

Would be interested to hear if anyone here has had the same thought themselves or just to know what you've actually gone ahead and done.

Cheers!

This tread is asking the same. Volvo pumps last a long time, other makes don't last as long, which is why some are saying change it, but the Volvo specialist is saying no.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...ght=water+pump

I have seen it said many times that Volvo water pumps generally will last to the end of time.This may or may not be the case,the question is who makes the engine-is it a Volvo engine a PSA engine or another manufacturer?-as this will determine whether the water pump is a Volvo one or not.Or as this will be its second belt change was the pump replaced at the first change if so what pump was used?

That will be my next port of call, in that particular model they are Renault engines, but of course the local specialist knows that and is still confident of it being better to leave the original one in, assuming it's genuine.

Last owner looked after it properly with OE parts so assuming the same with this until I take a closer look.

Who cares? It’s about 75 quid and half a dozen bolts then you don’t need to worry.

Answer, no, it will probably not fail, I hear they are very well built. But just do it while you are there.

I didn't bother.

When I overhauled the 1600 a couple of years ago, I had a choice of two belts, both second hand. I put the newer of the two on, and after timing it correctly, and turning it over by hand a few times, I was satisfied it was okay. So I disconnected the fuel injectors so it couldn't actually start, and turned it on the starter motor. It broke.

I spotted this before any damage happened (a good reason to not cover it in plastic junk which I took off and never put back on again) so had no option but to put the original one back on. Now, I don't know how long it had been on there. But the car had done 140,000-ish miles.

Since then I've driven it to 188,000 miles, on it's original belt fitted when we bought it. I've been to France in it. All over the country. I've hauled trailers. It was in daily use for the next two years. That same belt is still fitted to it now, although the car has retired to the front garden.

Maybe I like to live dangerously, but I seemed to get away with it.

Your milage may vary. I'm just relating my experience. But £75 for a car worth maybe a few hundred at best - doesn't strike me as a good investment. But then, I'm cheap. And poor.

I went out to a v70 d5 broken down the other day.That had had a cambelt a year ago and they didn't change the pump.It broke down because the water pump failed and snapped the cambelt, costing him an engine.
To not change a water pump with the cambelt is utter madness or just being tight.
Every cambelt I've ever changed has had a water pump.

I think you make a really important point there. My pump was at 80,000 miles and the pump felt good however as you say bear in mind any real issues and you will destroy an engine.

It is torqued to 10Nm which is nothing. So simple to remove and work with, you would be a fool to risk it.

Yes, considering a cylinder head for a 2014 d5 is £5000 from Volvo, and ONLY available from Volvo.No after market available.
Agreed ,Stupid not to change.