Cambelt change intervals

[lnparry]

Hi all,

The cambelt on my '97, 945 LPT is 6 years old but has only covered about 21k miles. I believe the official Volvo service interval is 5 years / 50k. What are the thoughts on the Volvo interval? Can I wait for closer to 50k or do the belts need changing every 5 years regardless.

Does anyone know if the 8 valve engine is interference or not i.e., does broken belt = non runner or ruined engine?

Thanks,

LeeP

[Laird Scooby]

I'd throw caution to the wind and change it anyway Lee - they're not expensive. Also pretty quick/easy to do on the B230 engine.

I've heard conflicting reports on the B230 engine as to whether it's interference or not, i'd play it safe and change it.

The point is rubber perishes and/or goes hard over time as well as mileage, often a high mileage belt stays a bit more flexible so will last longer than the specified mileage but fail at the time interval. Conversely a low mileage belt will sometimes only just make it to the time interval because it's gone hard or is perishing.

Sadly (for me) you've just reminded me i need to change the cam belt on one of mine, it's gone just over the 8 years (8 years or 96k miles on this one) so i must start hunting the various parts down.

[Chooch84]

I think the 631 head is an interference head whereas the 530 & 531 are not. But I think that also depends on the cam your running :-S

[aardvarkash10]

the 8v is non-interference. All else as per Dave's reply. Do the idler ay the same time and water pump if needs be since you are in the vicinity. Then you don't have to worry about it at all for another five years.

[bob12]

All good advice ... the top 'O' ring on my 745 had been weeping for ages and it finally went last week. It was the second water pump on the car as was the cam belt and tensioner.

As the mechanic I use was stripping the lot down I said to him change the water pump and at the same time as your there also do the cam belt etc. A new water pump was £45 and the belt kit £47, plus anti-freeze at £12.

[Laird Scooby]

Even just renewing the belt isn't going to break the bank :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Timing-Be...IAAOSwlyJZbfIv

The tensioners are usually pretty good but a new tensioner won't break the bank either.

[Prufrock]

Belt, £8 ish from Volvo, and you get a nice sticker to put on the belt cover too.

Jon.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Prufrock

Belt, £8 ish from Volvo, and you get a nice sticker to put on the belt cover too.

Jon.

Another Volvo "price surprise"!

There's always something that Volvo come up with that wouldn't be expected - their oil filters are pretty good on price as well.

[bob12]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Even just renewing the belt isn't going to break the bank :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Timing-Be...IAAOSwlyJZbfIv

The tensioners are usually pretty good but a new tensioner won't break the bank either.

I like Gates belts. When I did the water pump/power steering/alternator last time I used Gates and got them via the local factor up the road. Gates also have the correct size (width) of belt for Volvo pullies.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by bob12

I like Gates belts. When I did the water pump/power steering/alternator last time I used Gates and got them via the local factor up the road. Gates also have the correct size (width) of belt for Volvo pullies.

So do Fiat Bob - apparently the same belt was used on Fiat models, the Regata i think.

Gates are pretty good kit though, not had a problem with them and they supply a lot of OEM stuff as well.