XC70: Engine Snapped Drive Belt

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Bulleidboy

As were talking belts, I bought this car last year from a well known Volvo dealership in the south. It had 55K on the clock, with one lady owner (honestly) and the booked was stamped regularly (annually) since new. However there was very little paperwork to back this up. The dealership said the cambelt needed replacing at 10years or 100K+ miles, I'm not yet close, but am wondering whether to have the cambelt changed so that I have something to work from in the future. Am I wasting money or is it a good idea?

The cambelt is pretty robust it is the AUX belt which can give trouble , the width and thickness of the belt was reduced from 2007 .. The Aux. belt alone is changed at the 54000 mile service so , in theory the garage would have just done that considering it has done 55000 miles . worth getting them to check their records and if not changed why not ? ( assuming you have a 5 cylinder diesel )

[Bulleidboy]

The car is a XC70 D5 205 SE. The dealership where I bought the car is fifty miles away. The car is due it's MOT in the next couple of weeks. I think I'll get all the belts done at the same time - just for peace of mind.

Many thanks for all the help.

[Finbo]

Going back to the original post, if the a/c belt is due to be changed at 10 years or 108k when the cambelt is due, is it not rather surprising that it failed at 7 years and 63k?

[Scooser]

Originally Posted by Bulleidboy

The car is a XC70 D5 205 SE. The dealership where I bought the car is fifty miles away. The car is due it's MOT in the next couple of weeks. I think I'll get all the belts done at the same time - just for peace of mind.

Many thanks for all the help.

I have a 58 plate V70 D5 on 52k miles. I had the aux belt and tensioner and aircon belt done recently ahead of schedule for piece of mind.

But, I'm leaving the cam belt for the full 10 years. I've been around a while (mostly reading posts) on this forum and have never come across a cam belt failing early. However, I can point you to loads of problems of aux belts failing early and then taking out the cam belt.

Strictly according to my Volvonservice sheet the aux belt should be done at 10 years/54k miles whichever comes first. Then that was reduced to 5 years recommendation (but the service sheet was not updated), and I here the latest is that the Stealers are now recommending 3 yearly changes.

It's not cheap changing belts, so I take a balance of risk view. Aux belt and tensioner Is very high risk so I have no problem sinking in whatever cash is needed. Cam belts are low risk and therefore I follow the bog standard Volvo recommendation of 10 years/108k miles.

[Bulleidboy]

Well for peace of mind, the car is in for MOT on Thursday, and I'm having all of the belts changed at the same time.

[volvocat]

Originally Posted by Bulleidboy

Well for peace of mind, the car is in for MOT on Thursday, and I'm having all of the belts changed at the same time.

Very wise.
Having recently bought an older D5 XC70 (93k but with good history), I was still keen to be on the safe side, so had it checked by my main dealer.
The cambelt had aleady been done (early at 84k - obviously a cautious previous owner) and they pronounced the aux in good condition, so it's likely to have been done at the same time.
But even if it had been needed, they only quoted around £80 for aux and tensioner - fitted.
So if in doubt, for that price, just do it!
The good news is that the cambelt won't be needed with 108k service, but will probably get the aux done again then anyway.

[Peter V70 D5]

Originally Posted by GrahamBrown1

You dodged a bullet, I would do the lottery tonight as this more times than not ends up taking the Cambelt with it meaning curtains for your engine. Have you not had the aux belts replaced at 56k miles as per the service schedule?

Yep that's what happen to me the A/C Clutch failed sending the drive belt into the mix Aux Belt and eventually CamBelt dislodged ripping the tensioner off and making a hole in the block, meanwhile the pistons were making acquaintance with the valves goodbye engine! yes the OP was very lucky indeed.

[garethXC]

"Then that was reduced to 5 years recommendation (but the service sheet was not updated), and I here the latest is that the Stealers are now recommending 3 yearly changes."

.. anyone with a dealership connection have a definative answer on this.. is it 3yrs & if so would it be covered by the 5yr service plan?

[green van man]

It's not clear as dealers vary in their interpretation.
Mine said as I had not done the 54,000 miles it could wait when I booked it in for its 5 year service.
I went on time as the book tells me 5 years OR 54,000 miles and I work on whatever comes sooner. It's not just the belt but tensioner as well that should be changed, the belt itself is good enough it's the tensioner usually gives the problems which cause the belt to fail.

I too have heard of the now 3 year interval and of alternator clutches causing problems on higher milage cars, as always preventative maintenance while not provable can save a lot of money and strife. It all depends how you view spending your money.

Paul.

[Bulleidboy]

Replaced timing belt/tensioner, and all others belts. So hopefully all will be ok for a few years! Not a cheap job, but done. Also now have a sticker under bonnet stating date and mileage belt changed.