Daughter Susan called me Sunday noon from exit 196 on the Turner Turnpike.
She had broken a timing belt in her NA 96 850 sedan.
She reports that it suddenly lost power and the cruise control tried, but failed
to make the car accelerate. No traumatic sounds, etc
Cranking the engine almost sounded like a starter running free.
AAA took her to the Bristow WalMart Parking lot where I picked her up.
I took off the oil cap and observed the serpentine as she cranked the engine.
It spun very fast and the serpentine accessories were all turning but the cam did not move.
No strange sounds, clanking, etc.
The timing belt was SUPPOSEDLY replaced by a local dealer where we bought the car in 2006,
to the tune of $357.90. The belt, p/n 272327-8 was the only part listed on the invoice.
That has been 38,000 miles back.
Last December Tulsa Volvo told me that the belt looked old and cracked.
Is it possible that we have escaped serious engine damage?
I guess replacing the belt and running a compression test would tell, right?