XC70 2012 Model - Servicing Question

[The Stimulator]

Morning everyone,

Just after a bit of advice regarding the servicing on my XC70 D5 AWD.

Owing to the previous owners high annual mileage, the servicing was initially covered on a distance basis rather than time. Once I purchased it, the rate the miles were covered slowed dramatically. The net result of this was that last November, a year from its previous service, on the advice of the dealer, it had a 5 year service, at 82,000 miles covered.

I am now at the anniversary of that service, and the dealers are talking about doing a 108,000 mile service, which includes the timing belt. This service according to the manual, is at the 6 year/108,000 mile point and will cost in the region of £750.

As the car has now covered only 96000 miles, and is only 4 1/2 years old, I was thinking about saving some cash at the moment, and just having a basic service done, then doing the timing belt at 108,000 miles i.e. In about 8 months ( when I've saved up a bit lol).

Does this seem a reasonable (or feasible) idea to folks?

Thanks

[Ant B]

Cambelt is only due every 108,000 miles or 10 years, whichever you hit first (assuming this is a twin-turbo D5 model, either the 205 or 215?), so I would say no need to get it done at 96,000 miles / 5 years old.

However the more important question is has the aux belt (and tensioners) been changed? If not, definitely get that done as it is due at 54,000 / 5 years and you're running the risk of possible engine damage if you're on a 96,000-mile old belt / tensioners!!

[The Stimulator]

Hi Ant B,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, 215bhp engine.

As a lease car, all previous servicing was done at Volvo main dealers, so although I don't have the invoices, I have to assume that the aux belt was changed at the appropriate time, and according to Volvo it is due again at the 108,000 miles/6 year point.

Being one of those people who opens a modern bonnet and goes "OMG, where do I start" I guess what I really need an idea whether the belts could be done at a separate time, but i.a.w the Volvo schedule.

Iain

[tt82]

Yes, you can get something done called an 'Essential Service' which is a basic service. You can then get the belts done by somebody else later, ideally a good indie as they'll be a lot cheaper. Just make sure nothing is missed though.

But as always with belts, it's a risk leaving them and is wise to get them done early.

[Ant B]

Originally Posted by The Stimulator

As a lease car, all previous servicing was done at Volvo main dealers, so although I don't have the invoices, I have to assume that the aux belt was changed at the appropriate time, and according to Volvo it is due again at the 108,000 miles/6 year point.

No no NO NO, don't assume!!!

Mine was ex-Lease and I also just got the service book with stamps and no actual invoices, so I phoned the Volvo dealer who serviced it and asked them to check on their system what was done, and it was them who confirmed to me that my aux belt WASN'T changed at 54,000. Apparently although it is recommended to change it, it's not included as part of the 54,000 service unless the owner specifically ASKS them to do it!!

Not worth getting caught out I don't think; I got my aux belt changed (on 70,000-something miles, when I got the car) for just over £200, worth it for peace of mind I thought.


Your call though; only you know whether you want to take the risk and wait 6-12 months to change it? Maybe worth phoning the dealer and seeing if it HAS been changed as a first step?

[garethXC]

Personally, I'd bite the bulet and get it all done now. In the absence of a full dealer print-out or reciepts I'd be very wary as who knows 'how' the previous miles were driven.....

[ExCee70]

If you do get it done at a main dealer they should be able to printout everything that has been done to car. I'm fairly certain Volvo keep service records that any dealer can see/access.

[The Stimulator]

Guys,

Thanks very much for your responses.

I have just spoken to the dealer that supplied and serviced the car until I bought it.

The auxiliary belt was changed at the 54,000 mile service (at 53,850 miles), and in fact changed again under warranty as it was noisy at 63,678 miles, so that belt has done 33,000 miles.

The service agent also said that he would have no problem if a customer wanted a basic service now (currently 96,000 miles) and then got the belts changed when the mileage hit 108,000.

I understand it's a risk, but I think that may be the way I go. This would have the benefit then of getting the services closer to the planned mileage as well.

Thanks again everyone.

[Tatsfield]

AntB said "you're running the risk of possible engine damage"

I'm interested to know what damage would be done to the engine if the aux belt failed. I understand the engine wrecking catastrophe of a timing belt failure on an "interference" engine, but surely the worst that can happen if the aux belt fails is the loss of drive to the auxiliary units driven by the belt. On a 215 D5 what are these? Alternator, steering pump, air conditioning compressor? I don't see that the temporary non operation of these sort of units would damage the engine. Can anybody advise me?

[Scooser]

Originally Posted by Ant B

However the more important question is has the aux belt (and tensioners) been changed? If not, definitely get that done as it is due at 54,000 / 5 years and you're running the risk of possible engine damage if you're on a 96,000-mile old belt / tensioners!!

The service sheet for my MY2009 V70 D5 tells me the aux belt recommended change interval is 10 years or 54k miles, whichever first.

Are you sure the later cars insist on 5 years or 54k miles?