2009 XC60 Does it really need a cam belt change?

[Trev864]

I own a 2009 XC60 which is now due a service. It has been dealer serviced throughout its life.
The car has now only just covered 20,000 miles.
I have just been to my local Volvo dealer who have told me that despite the low mileage, due to the age age of the car (just coming up to six years old) that it needs a new cam belt.
It doesn't seem right to me because of the low mileage.

Any thoughts?

I obviously don't want an expensive bill in the future if it really needs changing....

[John_C]

Rubber degrades through both age and use, so if the cambelt interval is six years then it would be risky to ignore that.

[Ninja59]

As per above it is the degradation of the rubber, it is pointless leaving such an essential component that with failure would result in a virtually wrecked engine.

[Blue 8]

If it were me I'd change it, six years regardless of mileage is quite enough time for a rubber belt to start perishing, and if it fails your kick yourself for not getting it done.

[GMcL]

Originally Posted by Trev864

I own a 2009 XC60 which is now due a service. It has been dealer serviced throughout its life.
The car has now only just covered 20,000 miles.
I have just been to my local Volvo dealer who have told me that despite the low mileage, due to the age age of the car (just coming up to six years old) that it needs a new cam belt.
It doesn't seem right to me because of the low mileage.

Any thoughts?

I obviously don't want an expensive bill in the future if it really needs changing....

Are you a gambling man ? The interval is 108,000 miles OR 6 years. If you'd covered 108,000 miles in three years would you be asking if it was OK to leave it another 3 years ? It's whichever of the parameters expires first.

You could leave it and get another couple of years out of it no problem. On the other hand if it goes bang in say three months and lands you with a £6,000 bill for a new engine you might feel pretty sick.

Dirty Harry voice: Do you feel lucky ?

[tompip]

Hi. How much have you been quoted for the job?

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by GMcL

Are you a gambling man ? The interval is 108,000 miles OR 6 years. If you'd covered 108,000 miles in three years would you be asking if it was OK to leave it another 3 years ? It's whichever of the parameters expires first.

As GMcl says. Best get it changed as it is due.

If you were talking about an old 12 year old Rover, not worth a lot, I would probably take a chance and not change it, but with a middle aged XC60 that is worth a few quid, best get it changed.

Regards

[Arianne]

It's pays to be choosy when, where and how to save money - and this isn't the one to skip:

About five years ago we had some friends who ignored the need to renew the cambelt on their Vauxhall Zafira. Belt broke, they ruined their engine. Their attempt to save a few quid failed them. Did they learn their lesson?

No. They went with someone who offered to replace the engine with another used unit at a super-cheap price. They paid the money but the car was useless. My friends claimed that the wrong engine had been installed - I found that hard to believe but there you go! Their attempt to save a few quid failed them again. Did they learn their lesson?

No. And so it goes on!

Save money on gas, electricity, broadband, car & home insurance etc. etc. You can save £000 on these each year. And save loads of money on changing cars, buying computers etc. But never, never try to save money by delaying the replacement of a cambelt on a Volvo which is still worth a good few thousand pounds.

Arianne

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Trev864

I own a 2009 XC60 which is now due a service. It has been dealer serviced throughout its life.
The car has now only just covered 20,000 miles.
I have just been to my local Volvo dealer who have told me that despite the low mileage, due to the age age of the car (just coming up to six years old) that it needs a new cam belt.
It doesn't seem right to me because of the low mileage.

Any thoughts?

I obviously don't want an expensive bill in the future if it really needs changing....

They are Incorrect , The belt is not rubber it has kevlar reinforcement .. Volvo state the cambelt interval is 108000 miles or 10 years which ever comes first .They should know about this it is on all their service sheets they issue each day!

It is not just the cam belt which will be changed but the Aux.Belt and tensioner as well . The cam belt is very robust , it is the Aux . belt and tensioner which is the weaker ... but not yet ... yoru Aux belt is scheduled to be changed at 54000 miles when you get there if it is less than 10 years .

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by Clan

They are Incorrect , The belt is not rubber it has kevlar reinforcement .. Volvo state the cambelt interval is 108000 miles or 10 years which ever comes first .They should know about this it is on all their service sheets they issue each day!

On Volvos website it does say 108k or 6 years.

Regards