been researching on this board about timing belt replacements. It all looks very staight forward with 98 & older s70's, but my 99 T5 looks mighty different in the timing area. Does anyone have any idea as to how to get this engine at TDC and where in haddes the timing alignment marks are? Any info is greatly appreciated.

I've done my '99 S70 T5 timing belt twice now - first time belt only and last time belt, waterpump, idler and tensioner.

Belt only took around 45 minutes and was a doddle. To do the lot took an hour and a half and really wasn't difficult either.

The timing marks are pretty near impossible to see so what I do is get some nail varnish and mark all the pulleys relative to the head/block as it makes it dead simple to see if it is all in line. Remove the spark plugs before turning over so you can feel any binds as you wind it over by hand, then if all feels ok, crank on the starter. Recheck the tension on the belt (easy to adjust) and finally reassemble. If you get a CE light on after reassembly you likely fell in the trap of getting the exhaust cam one tooth out (due to the spring loaded pulley) so just move it one tooth and prolem gone.

You don't even need to remove the crank pulley, just remove the lower belt cover and the belt will (just!) fit through.

Alastair

1999 S70 T5 SE, 175,000 miles on original exhaust, clutch, turbo, driveshafts and wheel bearings...

Mine is 1998 and this is what I did:

http://brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=865450

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=943060


For 1999 info is here (the main difference is the tensioner, which is temp dependent)
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic60326.htm

Use both links for your information.

cn
Omaha NE


REMEMBER: when you are all done and excited, RELAX, turn the engine over twice with RATCHET to verify that the TB lines up perfectly first, do NOT crank with the key yet! Any misalignment is a problem if you crank the engine! You can damage the valves with cranking.
Once you have verified by Manually turning the engine by ratchet, then you can crank it.

Hello,

Sorry for the other blank post...The procedure on the 99 and up engines is indeed different, but not too complicated. As MadeInJapan had said, you may wish to pay someone to do it for you. If you do decide to tackle it, here's what to do. Turn the engine to TDC to line up the marks just as you would with a pre-99 engine. However, go approximately 1/2 crank turn past the markings and then turn it counter-clickwise to line them up again. The turbocharged engines use a spring loaded variable timing sprocket. By going past the marks and then in the opposite direction, you will relieve the spring tension. If you don't do this, the exhaust cam will snap out of position as soon as you remove the belt (and will be very difficult to reposition and hold as you install the belt). Anyway, if you use this method, the sprockets should stay put when the belt is removed. The tensioner is different also. The new one is mechanical and must be set to the proper tension (all you need is a 6mm allen wrench). At roughly room temperature, the indicator on the tensioner should be vertical (further to the right for hot engine, further to the left for cold ambient temp). Again, when setting the tension, go past the proper tension and then back (so the indicator enters the window from the right side). If this sounds confusing, let me know. It is actually very easy (even quicker than the pre-99 belt change, in my opinion). I hope this helps, and let me know if you need anything.

Joe S. - Volvo Master Technician

2000 S70 AWD, 1981 242 Turbo w/intercooler

'99 and newer have Variable Timing and the belts are more difficult with the tensioners, etc. I would pay someone to do it.
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.