I'm told by the mechanic that I should replace the serpentine belt in the 850. He's been honest with me for years and I'm not worried he's lying, but I wanted to get an idea of how bad the problem is. Has anyone ever experienced the Serpentine belt breaking on them? thus leaving you stranded? My belt makes a slight wispy, airy sound which started several months ago, maybe longer. Not really sure if it's serious or if it's ever been replaced.

What interval should they be replaced?
What are the signs that it needs to be replaced?

Thanks and hope you're all having a good holiday season,
Drive safely.
--
1995 850 Sedan, Naturally Aspirated, 143k mi
No major upgrades yet.

This is an inexpensive part and if it is making any unusual noises it is past time to replace it. It takes more time to talk about the part on the 'net than it does to just change the thing. I'm not sure what the manual calls out for on a replacement interval, but somewhere in the every 50-70k mile range is probably about right. Loose the belt and you have no alternator, no power steering and no A/C. Why mess around?

Unfortunately Volvo put the water pump drive on the timing belt, which is pretty brain dead IMO. This way if the water pump happens to seize up then you grenade the whole engine when valves and pistons come into contact. Most makers drive the water pump off the accessory belt where a water pump failure is more benign. Just ask the 850 and 960 owners who have had this nightmare happen to them :(.

Personally I've seen more cars, especially Japanese ones of <10 years age, with the timing belt driving the water pump than the serp belt.

If you are not worried he's lying, you have one answer to your two questions. When the belt makes an airy whispy sound, it's time to replace it. I think others will give you the actual number - should be every 60-70k. Keep your records. Do you know when it was last changed? By the way, when the belt breaks, you will know how bad the problem is.

I've seen any number of broken serp belts lying on the road. Look at the belt for cracks, missing ribs, etc. They can last indefinitely but will be destroyed by a mechanical incident such as a seized power steering pump, etc., and are badly affected by air pollution such as ozone, esp in hot climates. Sounds can come from any of the rotating components, such as alternator bearings, p.s. pump, a/c clutch, serp belt idler, etc. If the belt seems ok, when the sound gets loud enough, you will know what the source is.

I had the serpentine belt on my Corvette break on Christmas Eve while on a long trip. Not a pleasant experience and it leaves you stranded until it is fixed. I replace ours at about 50K miles. They also make a lot of noise as they get older.
--
1998 Volvo S70

my volvo dealer says to change belt every 70,000 miles. i have heard that some the of the newer volvos = 100,000 miles. the problem is that if the belt breaks you can toast your engine. as madeinjapan suggests, inspect your belt.
i had the dealer change mine at 70,000 and 140,000 miles.

NMI

Moregolf said he thought it was a 30K mile thing and he changes it every 2 years. I think that's a waste of money and energy. Actually, Volvo's maitenance schedule calls for this belt every 60K miles, but most don't do it then...they wait until the timing belt at 70K miles. Remember that it also pulls your water pump and power steering fluid. You can easily look at it without removing anything to see its condition. If it has small cracks in it and you don't know when it was changed last, I'd say you should do it. With every other Serp. belt change, you should change its tensioner.
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic (125K), 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red (45K), Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon (Sold at 140K and miss her). My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

the serpentine belt doesn't run the waterpump...that is the timing belt.

rocco...you are correct. I meant the A/C compressor....oops, sorry.
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic (125K), 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red (45K), Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon (Sold at 140K and miss her). My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

I change mine every two years. I think it's a 30K mile thing. Pretty cheap maint.

have you looked at the belt itself? If there are cracks on the inside grooves or appearance of rips then you should change it. Why not attempt it yourself its not that difficult.

Consider the inconvenience of breaking down and having yourself exposed to untrustworthy mechanics you dont know in a strange town that you break down in... compared to a $18 part and perhaps 30 minute charge to install it.

As MIJ said.. i would be more worried about your timing belt. It might cost $400 plus to change that... but if you dont your engine may be gone forever.

Albeit it was probably a fluke, but I have seen serpentine belts that were run until they shredded and when they cut loose they managed to get into the timing belt area and break it too. You can figure how the rest of this story went, it was not a happy ending.

Moral of the story: If in doubt change out the belts, all of them.


Mark

Similar problem. 2001 S80. Serpentine replaced at 60k. Owner drove car for two weeks; belt goes, takes out timing belt, expected result; now blames mechanic for putting serpentine on wrong. Our theory (we didn't see car again) is air intake crunched against curb took out serpentine belt. What are the chances?

When in doubt, change it out.

i am new to volvo and they recomended to chat the SERPT...belt befor picking up my new old 1997 850 non turbo ! 100k happy i did after reading all this
fingers crossed :)