Cambelt advice

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Paloma751

he was told by a Volvo main dealer tech that he personally wouldn’t bother...

No master tech worth his salt would say that a 15 year old belt isn't worth changing.

You even think it's a no brainer yourself so I would be taking everything the seller says with some caution.
Buyer beware.....

[Paloma751]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

No master tech worth his salt would say that a 15 year old belt isn't worth changing.

You even think it's a no brainer yourself so I would be taking everything the seller says with some caution.
Buyer beware.....

I’d MUCH rather believe someone who is up front about what HASN’T been done, rather than some bull$hitter saying that everything has been done...

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Paloma751

I’d MUCH rather believe someone who is up front about what HASN’T been done, rather than some bull$hitter saying that everything has been done...

His reason for not doing it is BS though so he's still a bull$hitter but for a different reason.

5 years overdue on any service item is unacceptable, especially something critical like the aux/timing belts and pulleys.
There's a long history of failings when they're not maintained on time or if they're replaced with inferior replacement parts.

If it has 15 year old belts and pulleys, the car is still running because of luck not diligent maintenance.

[barrybritcher]

how often do the aux belt tensioners go wrong, ive never seen a thread about it

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

ive never seen a thread about it

My guess is that you haven't been on here long enough or you haven't searched far enough back in the forum archives.

Alternator clutch pulley and tensioner failures were common place a few years back but perhaps more people have wised up about the importance of quality replacements done on time hence the lack of more recent stories of failure.

[barrybritcher]

ah excellent , I was being tight on whether to do the aux tensioner.

I'm high miles so will deffo do it this year then.

Thanks

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

ah excellent , I was being tight on whether to do the aux tensioner.

There are tons of ways to save money on our cars but I would never scrimp in the belt area.
You do the job right once and have confidence for 10 years and there are plenty of Volvo dealers on eBay doing good prices on genuine kits and pulleys.

[barrybritcher]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

There are tons of ways to save money on our cars but I would never scrimp in the belt area.
You do the job right once and have confidence for 10 years and there are plenty of Volvo dealers on eBay doing good prices on genuine kits and pulleys.

not buying a post march 2006 T5 auto would have been a start lol. £588 a year tax if pay monthly, vs the £265 i was paying for 2001 T5 auto

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

£588 a year tax

Ouch.
That's double the price I pay for my D5 and very fast motorbike.
I'm sure the T5 is worth it though.