Volvo AWD 850 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 10/2006 850 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

1996 850R timing belt and water pump 850

posted by  JLC on  Sat Apr 30 06:17 CST 2005
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

Hi everyone,
I have just purchased a 1996 850R wagon, black on black, with 152K miles. I understand that the timing belt has not been replaced (at 140K), so the first thing I will do is have that done. I have checked with five dealers and a few indy shops as to what else should be done at this time. Prices and opinions vary. I have searched this site and see that there have been a few threads on the subject as well and numerous different theories. So this may seem redundant, but I would like to know if anyone has experience with turbo and especially R engines with 150K+ miles, and can recommend which parts to replace. Most people recommend the T-belt tensioner at this time. What about the tensioner and idler pulleys and water pump? I know that with careful inspection and physical exam one can usually tell if a system is healthy or not. The Haynes manual indicates that the T-belt tensioner and pulleys can be inspected and should be replaced if they show signs of wear or malfunction. I have also read about water pumps being replaced "while you are in there" only to fail prematurely or leak at the seal. I do believe in "leaving well enough alone" and would just assume not triple the price of this service unless there is strong evidence it should be done.
Thanks very much,
Jeff








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    1996 850R timing belt and water pump 850

    posted by  bhs82 on  Sat Apr 30 08:03 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Tue Dec 7 10:15 CST 2010
    [RELATED]

    IMHO, The question is - how much more will your mechaninc charge to do the water pump??

    If you are at 150k... are you really confident that your water pump will last another 70k?? If so - then save the $$ If not, however, then you will likely pay twice (now, and then 40k from now when the water pump goes) to get to the same point of t-belt dismantling.

    I did all myself this past week... T-Belt, T-Belt Tensioner, T-Belt Tensioner Pulley, Idler pulley, Drive (Serpentine) Belt, Drive Belt Tensioner Pulley, Drive Belt Idler Pulley, Water Pump w/ complete coolant change/replacement... for me I also did a complete vacuum line / elbow replacement, Oil/Filter and Plugs (a full set of plugs being cheaper than 2 gallons of gas now). I just got back from a 3 hour drive... Smooothe. My gas mileage jumped about 6 mpg (I had a leaking vacuume hose before), and I can not tell you how much I value the peace of mind.

    If you do not know the history of the car and the coolant looks remotely poor, my 2 pennies are to change the coolant out anyway and go to the Volvo Brand coolant regardless of what else you do; so with that said, and all the way down to the water pump for the T-Belt change, at 150k, I would go for it, but with the Volvo OEM Water Pump.

    Cheers
    --
    1995 850T Wagon 120k








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      1996 850R timing belt and water pump 850

      posted by  someone claiming to be jlc on  Thu May 5 15:59 CST 2005 [RELATED]

      hi,
      thanks for all the responses regarding the T-belt and related components. bhs82, i would love to go your route and replace everything myself, but i live in new york city and have nowhere to work on the car. I am also somewhat hesitant to this job myself as I have never worked on volvos, or timing belts for that matter. i think i might take the care to island volvo on staten island and see what they can do for me.

      thanks,

      jeff







  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    1996 850R timing belt and water pump 850

    posted by  KlausC on  Sat Apr 30 07:37 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Ditto rule308 and you. Inspect everything, but only replace things that are broken or have exceeded their lifespan. It is not necessary to replace the serpentine belt at the same time as the timing belt unless it is showing wear.
    BTW, most water pumps will go to about 180K miles before they start to dribble around the seals. I suspect it is also a matter of never flushing the antifreeze every couple of years.

    Klaus
    --
    98 V70Rawd(108Kmi), 95 854T(88K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    1996 850R timing belt and water pump 850

    posted by  MadeInJapan on  Sat Apr 30 06:21 CST 2005
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sat Oct 2 06:34 CST 2010
    [RELATED]

    At 150K miles and not enough knowledge of what's been replaced in the past, I would replace all replaceable parts in the T-belt/Water pump area if I were you. This is cheap insurance compared to a blown engine later.

    How's the Serpentine belt? If you replace it, replace the tensioners/idler pully too.

    Just my humble opinion.
    --
    1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      1996 850R timing belt and water pump 850

      posted by  Rule 308 on  Sat Apr 30 07:09 CST 2005
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Tue May 8 09:20 CST 2012
      [RELATED]

      I have seen a higher rate of failure with the various tensioner pullies than I have with the water pump. In fact I only replace pumps when they need it, I do not replace them "because I am in there" and I have never had it bite me in the ass. Tensioners on the other hand I have seen a definite history of them taking a dump. If I were you, I would replace the tensioner and idler pulley for the T/belt and if the tensioner itself shows signs of leakage I would replace it as well. Often times the hydro tensioners will either show signs of leakage when you go in there or after you compress them for the re-install. The serpentine tensioner and idlers have a history of going out on higher mileage cars as well but you can get to them seperately. In the event that you get the dreaded cold engine, early morning sqealing/howling noise and you have already replaced all the stuff at the T/belt then you can rule that out and ALMOST assume it will be in your serpentine belt setup, but do go ahead and diagnose it properly if it happens instead of throwing parts at it.

      Mark







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.