Broken timing belt tensioner
I have a ‘98 Volvo v70 with 140,000. Yesterday I was driving the car on the interstate and the motor just quit, I still had electrical and coaster to the side of the road. The car would not refire so I had it towed to the dealer and they say my timing belt tensioner went, and hence it is like having my timing belt(chain) break (even thought the belt did not break) and that it killed my head. Numbers are being added up at the moment but I have heard everything from 2-4 grand.
1. Does this sound right?
2. Wouldn’t I have had some symptoms, because, honestly the car has been running great?
3. IF the tensioner goes, wouldn’t the chain stop working, how does it kill the head?
4. Do I fix it, sell it, trade it?
5. I waited late to have my timing chain replaced the first time, 95,000, did that set things on this downward run, and should the dealer have changed the tensioner at that time ( they did not) and they told me they change the tensioner at the 2nd timing belt change.

For the hydraulic tensioner they're recommending replacing it every SECOND belt change.

Early '98 svc70s have a hydraulic tensioner and a 70k mile timing belt interval. If you have a late '98 svc70 with engine serial #1266128 or up, the engine probably has a '99 type belt that comes with a mechanical tensioner. These need replacement at 105k miles, but the mechanical tensioner also MUST BE replaced at the same time, and this can be tricky.

-Sam

The $ numbers sound right. The tensioner is rarely changed at the
first timing belt change (it can be tested following a Volvo
procedure that measures it but I doubt that this is often done).

I'd say fix it. Selling it for parts plus cost of buying a comparable
car would exceed $4K.

Thanks for all the advice and thoughts. The dealer in Burlington, vermont, gave me a price of $2600 to fix this. 12 hours labor, new head for $1300 and i guess a bunch of parts. I can stomach this, the 4k i was told at first would of been tough. Any thoughts on long term effects.


'98 v70m
'64 triumph tr4 (my tr never cost this much to fix)

Really sorry to hear about your problem. To answer your questions.

With the timing BELT getting loose (tensioner gone) the valves and the pistons in this "interference" engine design try to occupy the same space at the same time, usually bending valves and/or damaging pistons. So the 2-4 grand is not unusual.
Your call on fix/sell/trade. You could look at a lower mileage replacement car, but the dealer should be able to make your engine like new, and then you have some new warranty on the repair, I would imagine.

Should they have replaced the tensioner during the original belt change? They were trying to save you money based on their experience with the longevity of the tensioner. Waiting for 95000 the first time had NO affect on this failure. You were close to the time (2x 70K) when it could be argued that the belt should be changed again and they would have replaced the tensioner too, but still within their expectation for the tensioner.

Tough call. No additional advice at this time.