Snapped Cam Belt - XC90 2015 new shape
 

Hi,

Looking for some advice on my 2015 Volvo XC90 D5 Inscription.

Its a new shape model with 104,000 miles on the clock.

The car was serviced at Volvo Warwick all through its warranty period up to 90,000miles

In late October at 96,000 it had a full service at the local independent volvo garage which included replacing the cam belt and all other belts and filters

On Saturday whilst travelling on the motorway the car entered limp mode and booted me onto the hard shoulder. It was recovered to the local volvo garage who have advised that the cam belt has snapped (£156 for the pleasure of telling me that!)

Ive spoken to the independent garage who replaced the cam belt and they have said to bring it back to them to check over as the parts should be under warranty "as long as nothing else has made the cam belt snap"

Obviously I'm looking into the face of a very expensive repair bill and wanted to arm myself with some info.

What other things could make the cam belt snap other than a faulty belt or poor installation?

Hi,

I feel for you as, whatever the outcome, you are likely looking at an expensive job to get your XC90 back on the road. This is the first major failure of the 4 cylinder D5 engine I've heard of, presumably there will be damage to valves and possibly pistons which may result in a new engine? no doubt other forum users will comment.

The investigation has got to centre around the replacement of the cam belt by your local independent Volvo garage, as you say possibly faulty parts or poor workmanship. The only suggestion I can give is that on the old five cylinder D5 engine it has been known for the auxilliary belt tensioner to fail, causing that belt to shred and take the cam belt with it. I don't know whether the newer D5 has a similar layout but that may be a starting point. Presumably the auxilliary belt and idler and tensioner was replaced in October?

Let's hope that you come to a satisfactory solution, please keep us informed.

Yes the Aux belt was also replaced in October.
I thought I'd be proactive and ask the independent garage to replace all the belts, filters and usual fluids a major service as the car was approaching 100k.

One thing commonly overlooked is the water pump, these have been known to seize and snap the belt. Best practice is to change it at the same time.

Hello LCC,
Really sorry to hear of your issue following you acting sensibly and having the original cambelt - and assembly? - renewed.
As I see it, the garage who carried out the work for you are responsible for the consequences of the failure, but of course, it’s all hassle.

What you don’t tell us, is what make of parts were used - main dealer or aftermarket? - and whether the tensioners etc. we’re also renewed. You just mention the cambelt.
Personally, I don’t hold with automatically changing the generally long lived original water pump, but if it is found necessary to change it, then in my book, it has to be replaced with a genuine dealer one only - no exceptions - since aftermarket ones can be substandard.
If this were mine, I would be questioning the garage who did the work and asking for details of makes of components used, unless you already know.
It would be interesting to have this additional information.
Kind regards,
Austin.

I always work on the basis you've got everything off anyway, my last pump was £55, bargain for the peace of mind and a lot cheaper than a snapped belt.

£55 - genuine Volvo water pump?

Am I right to assume this is a 5-cylinder D5 rather than a VEA engine?

I was told by the garage that they used exactly the same parts as the main dealer.

They’re a reputable independent Volvo specialist who were recommended by more then one Volvo owner. They advised they would do everything the main dealer did without the overhead and daft rates.

The car was due for a major service that included the cam belt and I asked for them to give it the whole hog and replace any and all belts and consumables as it was approaching 100k, I’d just bought it off a friends dad and I wanted some trouble free motoring.

With regards to the items replaced with the cam belt it was everything that would have been done by the main dealer. Afraid the invoices are in the glove box in the garage so can’t check

Yes the D5