cambelt change at 37000 miles?

[iceman45]

Hi guys, have just joined up, so will try to be a useful newbie if at all possible...
We've had a V40 2.0 SE now for 4 years. It's on 37500 miles - some long motorway stuff, but short runs in the main.
Had a service done a few weeks ago, and on removing the small cover over the cambelt, there appear to be tiny horizontal dark 'lines' all across the width of the belt.
I've never seen a cambelt at point of change, so don't know if this is indicative of imminent failure. Any ideas?

Local Dealer Pilling wants £102.81 just to check it out, or has quoted me £325 inc vat to change belt, tensioner and auxilliary belt (Cambelt £38, Tensioner £42, Aux belt £22, all + vat, with labour/fitting at £205.63 inc vat).

Is this sounding reasonable? I'm going off the idea of getting a local guy to do the job, as having read the posts last night, I think dealer + OE parts makes more sense...

Help....

Sorry for the long-winded post.

PaultheIceman

[gnhuk]

Hi Paul,

If that's Pilling's in Milton Keynes I'd advise you to go somewhere, anywhere, else.......... Their idea of customer service is a joke and their "quotes" can be somewhat elastic. I've found that independents tend to use parts from Volvo or Nordic - the major saving is that you don't pay ridiculous labour rates charged by main stealers.

[GavinC]

Dealers are not called 'stealers' for nothing. Don't be fooled into thinking they offer value for money...they mostly don't. If you consider the nature of their operation their main market is the motorist who is not price (or value) sensitive and/or company cars. Also, in my opinion, they may not be as good as you'd hope at 'sorting' older/higher mileage vehicles as their predominant experience is with newer vehicles. (Though yours is not in the higher mileage category.)

A while ago I called into a main dealer simply looking for a diagnosis and price for a possible major engine problem. At that stage I was just shopping around. Well...on a quick, cursory inspection outside of the workshop I was authoritatively and regretfully informed - as if I or a member of my family was facing a serious illness, possibly terminal and requiring urgent, expert surgery: "Yes, it is definitely a head gasket, sir" (don't you detest being called 'sir' in certain situations?!) "and the car is not safe to drive on the road." (I am speechless at the BS and let him continue!) "Why not leave the car with us, sir... meanwhile would you consider a trade-in...sir? You know your car is not at all safe to drive."

P'raps I look extra stupid? :-) I wonder how many people they mislead and missell with that sort of approach?! So, with two words while clutching my wallet extra tightly, I went elsewhere and the problem was sorted by an honest independent for a lot, lot less money than a head gasket job done...anywhere.

I would hasten to add that not all dealers are the same...nor is this case the dealer you refer to.(Sorry to digress from your question, but I couldn't resist. I hope it is entertaining; p..d off at the time it makes me smile now!)

But...there are great independents around as well as used Volvo independent specialists. Who are probably even better because they 'practice' on older Volvos day in, day out. They offer much better value than the dealers... in my experience often extending to respect and courtesy,too. Shop and ask around...

i'd be very tempted to take them up on their offer then sue. they should be *far* more careful with what they say..

[CJL]

>Had a service done a few weeks ago, and on removing the small
>cover over the cambelt, there appear to be tiny horizontal
>dark 'lines' all across the width of the belt.
>I've never seen a cambelt at point of change, so don't know if
>this is indicative of imminent failure. Any ideas?

I changed mine (99 V40 T4) a few months ago after 40,000 (Volvo recommended interval is 80K) and it had similar marks to those you describe. But there were so slight...belt felt smooth to the touch, no deep cracks. I now think I could have left it 'til 60K+. Having said this if you're in any doubt get it done.

>Local Dealer Pilling wants £102.81 just to check it out, or
>has quoted me £325 inc vat to change belt, tensioner and
>auxilliary belt (Cambelt £38, Tensioner £42, Aux belt £22, all
>+ vat, with labour/fitting at £205.63 inc vat).

That seems a lot for the Aux belt...sure I only paid about £7 from a dealer. Other parts seem about right. Have a look here for the page giving details for good independents in your area, as I'm sure you'll be able to cut the labour in half.

Colin.

[iceman45]

>Hi Paul,
>
>If that's Pilling's in Milton Keynes I'd advise you to go
>somewhere, anywhere, else..........

It was their branch in Welwyn....
Went in to look at the V50 a year ago - not impressed. Car was ok, but the staff...


Thanks Gavin.

[iceman45]

I've been guilty of being drawn in by similar tactics in the past - that's why these forums are so good for the advice offered. It's a great resource.

Will take given advice and hunt around.

Thanks Gavin.

[iceman45]

>i'd be very tempted to take them up on their offer then sue.
>they should be *far* more careful with what they say..

Had thought about it...

:-)))

[iceman45]

>
>I changed mine (99 V40 T4) a few months ago after 40,000
>(Volvo recommended interval is 80K) and it had similar marks
>to those you describe. But there were so slight...belt felt
>smooth to the touch, no deep cracks. I now think I could have
>left it 'til 60K+. Having said this if you're in any doubt get
>it done.

Once the doubt is there, and the fact that it's done mostly short haul stuff really makes me want to change it sooner rather than later.
>
>
>That seems a lot for the Aux belt...sure I only paid about £7
>from a dealer. Other parts seem about right. Have a look here
>for the page giving details for good independents in your
>area, as I'm sure you'll be able to cut the labour in half.

We've had a quote for £200 all in from a local one-man-band mech, but it's not clear if that covers the aux belt too. Apparently he's sh*t hot, but I don't know him personally, hence my reticence to commit.

Thanks Colin.

[T4R]

My 2000 Phase II has done 72K miles. I asked them to check the cambelt during its previous service at 66K miles and deemed OK. I will have it replaced during the next service at a cost of £180 inc. by Squire Furneaux in Hersham, Surrey.

Shame they didn't spot the invisible crack in the turbo casing. (Joke)