Hi Doug,

since the concensus on this board about the'98 70 series, that the t-belt should be changed at 70k miles regardless of engine serial number, I took my late built '98 v70(july '98) to my local dealer for a tbelt change at 78K miles. After theservice manager typed the VIN # in the computer, he stated that my car might not need a tbelt change until 105k miles, but to be sure he had the service guy remove the tbelt cover and check. He said that my tbelt looked good, and that my '98 had the new design like a '99 with the mechanical tensioner, instead of the hydraulic tensioner. Apparently the mechanical one is gentler on the rubber belt thus lasting 35k more miles. He recommended replacement at 105K miles along with the mechanical tensioner, which is the recommended service for '99 and newer volvos.

I thought this was nice of my local volvo dealer and I plan to support them, by bringing the car in for the 105k miles service.

If I were you, I would have your volvo dealer or indie shop take the tbelt cover off, and see how the belt looks and also to see if you have the mechanical tensioner. If the belt has cracks, replace. If the belt looks good and has the mechanical tensioner you could probably go to 105K miles.

The TSB everybody refers too on this board, is put out by volvo and talks about adjusting/replacing the mechanical tensioner on late '98 models. Since the TSB does not specifically say to change the tbelt at 105k, just to be safe, everybody changes at 70k.

cheers ;)
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'88 240, '92 740, '98 v70 GLT John in Tampa Bay