Aux belt replacement - tensioner required also?

[NAD]

Hi everyone, I've just bought a 2011 V70 D5. The previous owner had a failure of the aux belt, which fortunately didn't take out the timing belt. He had the aux belt replaced, but it doesn't look like the tensioner was done at the same time. I was wondering if replacement of the tensioner was recommended? Is an upgraded tensioner available?
Many thanks...

[Simon Jones]

I seem to recall it should be changed something like every 54,000 miles. On the petrol engine it's 10 years / 106,000 (or thereabouts).

[green van man]

As it's the tensioner that gives the problems I change it with every belt at 54,000 or 5 years although there now seems to be a recommendation to change it every 3 years which makes sense if going on 18,000 mile service intervals, 3x18= 54. As mine does around 10,000 a year I would check it at 3 and keep an eye on it thereafter but not run it past 5 years on any account.

Paul.

[Model flyer]

Yes definitely change the tensioner. Belt and tensioner every 54,000 miles . If the previous owner was thinking of changing the car then they probably just left the old tensioner on . The aux belts don't seem to last as long as they once did and can fail even if the tensioner is good. The rubber cracks in the "V" grooved side due to the tortuous route that the belt runs constantly being bent back and forth. Check regularly.

[volvocat]

Has the car got full dealer history?
If so, I'm surprised they weren't changed together - they should be!
A competent independent would also do that, surely?
Anyway, it's a no-brainer as it's only about £80 to have both changed - at a main dealer.

[NAD]

Thank you very much.
If it's only that much then I'll take it to the local Volvo dealer and just get it done again for peace of mind. I can also find out if it's missing anything else!

[bobsy852]

Very easy DIY this job if you wanted to save some more pennies!

[volvocat]

Originally Posted by NAD

Thank you very much.
If it's only that much then I'll take it to the local Volvo dealer and just get it done again for peace of mind. I can also find out if it's missing anything else!

Well, I'm not promising but that's what my dealership quoted me!
I was planning to have a 'health check' soon after buying and, knowing the main cambelt had been done recently, but before due time/mileage, I was being cautious about the aux belt and tensioner, so asked for a price just in case.
Turned out not to be needed yet; was apparently almost new, but for that price, will definitely be having it done with next service, even if it is somewhat premature - better safe than sorry...

[Clan]

Originally Posted by NAD

Thank you very much.
If it's only that much then I'll take it to the local Volvo dealer and just get it done again for peace of mind. I can also find out if it's missing anything else!

Make sure the recalls are up to date , you may have had the later hydraulic tensioner which was later changed back to the mechanical one ...
when everything is up to date ,Aux belt only is changed at 54000 intervals and tensioner and aux belt renewed with the cambelt at 108000 intervals

[NAD]

Thanks again, all good info to know.
If I do have a look, following the info in the 'articles' and going in through the wheel liner, what am I listening looking for? Does anyone have photos of the hydraulic tensioner compared to the mechanical one? Obviously a hydraulic one will have an oil line to it, but are there any other obvious differences?
Previous car was the infamous BMW N47 320d, so I'm fully acquainted with hydraulic tensioner failure, but that had a hydraulic tensioner plus a mechanical one just for good measure!