S80: Engine Auxiliary belt life query

[Nogbad the Bad]

Hi

I've got a 1999 S80 2.4 petrol non turbo.

The auxiliary belt has a life of 60,000 miles according to the Volvo user manual.

Its done 10,000 over that, and it still looks brand new.

It isn't frayed on the sides or showing any signs of wear. It has no cracks going across the belt, or running along it that I can see. I keep checking for where the join must be (I figure it must have one), but again it looks perfect.

I'm not trying to be a total cheapskate, but it seems in such good condition I don't see the point.

Am I missing something here? Any advice gratefully received!

[andyg]

Just trying to be helpful...... You will get a better response if you post your question in the correct section for your model year. Look for <S80 '98-'06 / S60 '00-'09 / V70 & XC70 '00-'07 General>

In there you may well get some responses along the lines that the tensioner also needs to be checked and/or replaced if it is worn. The risk of significant engine damage depends if the specific 2.4 petrol engine you have is an "interference" design, which means if the timing belt or tensioner fail then the pistons smash into the now uncontrolled valves and destroy the top of the engine. Normally that is a very expensive result! If it is not an interference engine then the consequences of a timing failure can be just a breakdown, loss of power, with no significant damage. In which case it is easier to take the risk, if you judge it worthwhile. Owners on the correct section should know.

[green van man]

Service life is there for a reason, it's usually given in milage AND time.

My D5 is 56,000 miles OR 5 years for auxiliary belt and tensioner. Changed mine on 45,000 miles at 5 years old.
Lots cheaper than a new engine.

Your car your money but as you asked for advise mine would be change it asap you are already on borrowed time.
While I conceded the service life is conservative it does ensure the health of your engine and you ignore at your peril.

Paul.

[andyg]

Should say that my comments were about the timing belt, not the aux. Sorry for the confusion. But the same applies as there is lots of history of aux belts failing, getting wrapped around the timing belt with the same disastrous result!

[Peter86]

If the handbook says change, get it changed. Far cheaper than a engine rebuild or replacement. Looks don't mean anything, rubber deteriorates and one day it will snap without warning.

[Tatsfield]

There is no feeling that is comparable with the one you get 5 seconds after the cam belt gets taken out by a failed aux belt. I had a cam belt go on a Mitsubishi and I wouldn't wish the combined feeling of guilt, shock and anguish on anyone! The overriding design concession to using a stressed rubber and steel wire component is that it is regularly changed within a time period that allows for wear and degrading. Chang belts when they say they should be changed.

[green van man]

Sister ignored the timing belt on an old fait 125. Eventually it took 6 teeth out and stopped. Stripping the top end revealed snapped valve, buggered seat and guide and a bent con rod.

30 years ago the bill for new valve seat and valve was £400 all other work I carried out FOC and she lived with the bent rod.

The lesson I took from the episode was never ignore the belts.

I had a Volvo 460 with the Renault 1.9 diesel engine. A fine engine with plenty of go, Renault timing belt interval 70,000 miles, volvo 60,000. The belt in a Volvo box said Renault, the difference was that engine nevery snapped a belt in a Volvo that I heared of though I heared of a few in renaults.

Paul.