Dear Brickboard 850 readers,
We have a 1997 850 with about 51,000 miles on it. The timing belt has not been changed (car built 12/96), and we were wondering if anyone has let a belt go this long. We live a few miles from the ocean in New York, not in a dry-rot prone area, if that matters.
Also, a local mechanic said some engines have a cut-off that allows the engine to stop, without damage, should the belt break. I forgot the exact name of the feature the mechanic described, but will the 850 engine be all right if the belt breaks? Or will the valves and pistons get broken if the belt breaks?
Does anyone know of a trustworthy NYC-area Volvo repair shop, including North Jersey, Long Island, lower Hudson Valley?
Thanks so much,
Eli

I bought an 850R last year with the original t-belt and 105K miles. Scared the piss out of me driving it around for a few days until I could change it.

I was lucky when my belt went due to the tensioner giving out. There's a local salvage yard that does reasonable work, using good used parts. They replaced the entire head for only $1,200 or so. I understand the next best price for a rebuilt head is at least double that.

When the belt breaks, your motor is ruined. Your mechanic is thinking of a Volvo 240 motor. You might nicely point out the error of his ways, before he gets sued.

The dealer will charge you for a belt and a new tensioner. My last bill at the dealer was for 480.00 and that included a new serpentine belt. If you have the water pump done too, the dealer gets 122.00 for the part and another 1.5 hours in labor.

The Brickboard has a shops listing. I cannot vouch for any of them, but suggest you look through the list and call some that are close. Remember, timing belt and serpentine belt, not tensioner, water pump, etc.

http://www.brickboard.com/SHOPS/?cat_id=1&state=NY&state=&action=PERFORM+SEARCH

IF you think that the shop is fair, then I suggest replacing the antifreeze, brake fluid, and PS fluid.
--
My name is Klaus and I am a Volvoholic.

Change the belt. You are way over the time limit. If the belt breaks it is "Game Over" for the motor. You can get a new timing belt for under $30.00 and if you have a socket set we can walk you through changing it if you want to go for it yourself.

If you aren't comfortable doing the work yourself I can't imagine that the stealership would charge over 2 hours labor for the job.

...Lee

Wow.

I like reading these odd stories about things lasting a lot longer than the 'recommendations' state.

It's akin to not changing your oil for 40k miles and the car being ok, I suppose.

You have good luck.
--
-Hector

It will harm your engine if it breaks. The engine is an "interference" type. I can not recall if it's reccomended to be changed at 50k or 70k, but change it if it's 12 years old.

it's supposed to be changed at 70k miles, and at least every 6 years...livin' on borrowed time at 12 years.

...and if it goes, your engine is 'toast'.

How close are you to Rte 25 in Port Jefferson?