XC70 D4 AWD Engine

[SignumGB]

Hi,

My XC70 is approaching 50,000 miles, due a full service at the end of the month and so far since I got it January this year, has served me well with no issues (touch wood). Reading other threads on different engine types, what to look out for has been listed etc.

For this model of engine, what are the typical things to keep an eye on say between 50,000 and 100,000? I know the timing belt will be due circa 100,000 miles, anything else such as aux belt, tensioners etc?

Cheers

[Tatsfield]

anything else such as aux belt, tensioners etc?

Aux belt and tensioners are due every 54K so you will need to get them done. The aux belt may seem like the low risk poor neighbour of the cam belt but it has the ability to derail its big brother and wreck the engine, so strict routine changing every 50K or so is a must.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by SignumGB

Hi,

My XC70 is approaching 50,000 miles, due a full service at the end of the month and so far since I got it January this year, has served me well with no issues (touch wood). Reading other threads on different engine types, what to look out for has been listed etc.

For this model of engine, what are the typical things to keep an eye on say between 50,000 and 100,000? I know the timing belt will be due circa 100,000 miles, anything else such as aux belt, tensioners etc?

Cheers

You probably have had the 3rd year 54000 mile service , you need to check if they changed the Aux belt or not back then.. They are not supposed to change it if the mileage at the time is below 54000 miles . However the belt must be changed AT 54000 miles whatever happens , it is mileage sensitive not time sensitive . Also the Aux belt tensioner is not changed until the cambelt service at 108000 miles . That's the official line ..

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Clan

You probably have had the 3rd year 54000 mile service , you need to check if they changed the Aux belt or not back then.. They are not supposed to change it if the mileage at the time is below 54000 miles . However the belt must be changed AT 54000 miles whatever happens , it is mileage sensitive not time sensitive . Also the Aux belt tensioner is not changed until the cambelt service at 108000 miles . That's the official line ..

While I accept clans knowlage, knowing the problems the tensioner can cause I change it at every belt change. £60 for a tensioner, £2000 for a head, £8000 for an engine.

To me it's cheap insurance.

Paul.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by green van man

While I accept clans knowlage, knowing the problems the tensioner can cause I change it at every belt change. £60 for a tensioner, £2000 for a head, £8000 for an engine.

To me it's cheap insurance.

Paul.

100% agree. Change the tensioner as well as the aux belts every 54,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first. The timing belt replacement interval is 108,000 miles or ten years, whichever comes first. However, its also recommended that the aux belts & tensioner are changed with the timing belt when that's due.

Its up to you whether you do decide to change the tensioner with the aux belts every 54,000 or five years, but its definitely worth spending the extra £60 for the tensioner because they're known to fail & will cause serious engine damage.

If you fancy a DIY job, you'd be looking around £120 for genuine parts and your own time to do it of course.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

100% agree. Change the tensioner as well as the aux belts every 54,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first. The timing belt replacement interval is 108,000 miles or ten years, whichever comes first. However, its also recommended that the aux belts & tensioner are changed with the timing belt when that's due.

Its up to you whether you do decide to change the tensioner with the aux belts every 54,000 or five years, but its definitely worth spending the extra £60 for the tensioner because they're known to fail & will cause serious engine damage.

If you fancy a DIY job, you'd be looking around £120 for genuine parts and your own time to do it of course.

It is more than recommend , it is a mandatory part of the 108000 mile / 10year service .. IF you have done 108000 miles that is ...

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Clan

It is more than recommend , it is a mandatory part of the 108000 mile / 10year service .. IF you have done 108000 miles that is ...

Mmm, mine was on 76,000 at 10 years old, I still changed the belts and tensioners, just noted the milage in the service book.
My view it's not something to take a chance with.

My 300tdi landrover has a new timeing belt every 30,000 miles and new tensioners every second belt. The vehicle sees arduous service which is taken into account when planing maintenance. Landrover recommended interval is 70,000 miles.

I once had the misfortune to have to repair a sisters fait after it took 6 teeh out of the belt. I never run my belts to full time or milage.

Paul.

[SignumGB]

Thanks for the responses. I got my XC70 second hand from a volvo dealership. Just off phone to them. They did the aux belt at 37,913 miles. The tensioner wasn't changed. Is it typical to do both at same time? I am nearing 50,000 on the clock, so when I get to close to 54,000 I'll get the tensioner done. I wonder if it's worth just getting aux belt and tensioner done at same time, so then I am not going back and forward getting aux and tensioner done separately. This means it would all be in line for the timing belt change and all would get done at that point.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Clan

It is more than recommend , it is a mandatory part of the 108000 mile / 10year service .. IF you have done 108000 miles that is ...

Mandatory indeed, but not everyone replaces these parts. Many people get their timing belt replaced & leave the aux belts/tensioner, particularly if they don't service or get their vehicle repaired at a Volvo dealership or independent specialist. Lets say you bring your car to a reasonably priced/affordable local garage that do your annual service for you - They may not work to the exact Volvo service schedule & just replace your timing belt. Many people would say that they wouldn't use a local garage for that reason. However, the dealerships are usually extortionately priced & it boils down to affordability for people at the end of the day. Then there's the point of "The recommended service intervals/recommended parts to be replaced at certain intervals are in your owner's manual". As we all know and are guilty of at some point of vehicle ownership is that the manual is usually shoved in the glovebox or on top of a pile of paperwork inside our homes & it doesn't see the light of day year to year!

Personally, I'd replace the parts if they were due time wise regardless of the mileage I'd done. What's £60 extra on top of your aux belts for a new tensioner every five years or 54,000 miles, whichever comes first?£12 a year... You won't rebuild your engine when the tensioner fails for that figure, that's for sure.

@Signum - Its entirely up to you, but I'd get the aux belt & tensioner done at the same time because its a known part to fail. Then you have the peace of mind that its actually done for another 54,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first. Preventative maintenance as they say

[SignumGB]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Mandatory indeed, but not everyone replaces these parts. Many people get their timing belt replaced & leave the aux belts/tensioner, particularly if they don't service or get their vehicle repaired at a Volvo dealership or independent specialist. Lets say you bring your car to a reasonably priced/affordable local garage that do your annual service for you - They may not work to the exact Volvo service schedule & just replace your timing belt. Many people would say that they wouldn't use a local garage for that reason. However, the dealerships are usually extortionately priced & it boils down to affordability for people at the end of the day. Then there's the point of "The recommended service intervals/recommended parts to be replaced at certain intervals are in your owner's manual". As we all know and are guilty of at some point of vehicle ownership is that the manual is usually shoved in the glovebox or on top of a pile of paperwork inside our homes & it doesn't see the light of day year to year!

Personally, I'd replace the parts if they were due time wise regardless of the mileage I'd done. What's £60 extra on top of your aux belts for a new tensioner every five years or 54,000 miles, whichever comes first?£12 a year... You won't rebuild your engine when the tensioner fails for that figure, that's for sure.

@Signum - Its entirely up to you, but I'd get the aux belt & tensioner done at the same time because its a known part to fail. Then you have the peace of mind that its actually done for another 54,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first. Preventative maintenance as they say

Thanks for that and appreciate the advice. My service book is in the glove box... I guess I should dust it down and see if anything else is in there.