That's about it. Our 1989 240 has 204K miles on it. Looks and runs like new. Almost always garaged. So I have 18K miles on the timing belt but it's been 9 years since changed. I'm thinking to get it replaced, but I'd like thoughts from the forum as to how you all handle this. Thanks, Dennis

A tow is not the only risk if your belt brakes - the highway is a dangerous place, even police with their warning lights get smashed on the highway

Have you looked at a timing belt? It is a wonder that this small item can last more than a couple of years!

Change the belt - while you are at it, replace the seals on the front of the engine - they are cheap compared to the consequences of an oil leak on the belt.

Doesn't your service manual specify mileage and time for replacement?

If you do not have a service book, I think that you can get one on Volvo's site or others.

When I checked mine I guess a piece of the old cover chipped off when screwing it back on - a few miles down the road engine stopped - no issues - quick tow and belt put back in place ( mechanic said it skipped a tooth) - half an hour late back in business. So check the condition of the top/bottom and back plastic cover
was my lesson.

Just my opinions here:

The timing belt change interval on your B230F is maximum 50K miles (80K km), while on the later 940 B230Fs Volvo changed from a chisel toothed to a round toothed belt and doubled the service interval to 100K mi (160K km), although many continue to change it more frequently. Age is of course a factor and many consider 10 years for a quality belt is reasonable, but if it's other than a known quality Volvo or Continental belt or the car has been subject to harsh conditions or hard driving then I'd recommend earlier, such as 8 years.

The belt area should occasionally be inspected for signs of oil leaking from the front seals by checking under the timing cover, like at every oil change. At every T-belt change the rear timing cover should be removed for closer inspection of the front seals for leaks. The seals are easy to change when doing the timing belt. If oil should happen to get on the belt then it should be changed sooner rather than later. At the first sign of oil weeping from the shafts, I replace all the front seals, also checking and cleaning the flame trap, even the oil separator box if the leaks seem premature. I'd consider the maximum change interval for the engine front seals as 100K mi, meaning every second timing belt change. The rear main seal is a different story as it's much more involved to change it.

Just as important is the timing belt tensioner pulley. These should be cleaned and inspected at every 50K T-belt, making sure they spin smoothly and don't show any hint of excessive bearing wear, such as slop or vibration. For the tensioner, I recommend a maximum change interval of every 2nd T-belt or 100K mi whether or not showing signs of wear.

If the water pump is showing signs of nearing end of life then doing it at the same time is recommended as you've got easy access. For a Volvo or Hepu pump, I'd consider 150K mi as the maximum change interval and for other pump brands I'd lean closer to a maximum of 100K mi.

Many aftermarket suppliers sell timing belt kits. Check the brands and prices of the individual components to make sure you're getting the best parts at the best prices as they're not always at a discount price.

The good news is that you have a non-interference engine so if the timing belt ever breaks then you're biggest risk is a tow to a shop for a new belt and a taxi ride home.
--
Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Just my opinions here on preventive front end maintenance:

The timing belt change interval on your B230F is maximum 50K miles (80K km), while on the later 940 B230Fs Volvo changed from a chisel toothed to a round toothed belt and doubled the service interval to 100K mi (160K km), although many continue to change it more frequently. Age is of course a factor and many consider 10 years for a quality belt is reasonable, but if it's other than a known quality Volvo or Continental belt or the car has been subject to harsh conditions or hard driving then I'd recommend earlier, such as 8 years.

The belt area should occasionally be inspected for signs of oil leaking from the front seals by checking under the timing cover, like at every oil change. At every T-belt change the rear timing cover should be removed for closer inspection of the front seals for leaks. The seals are easy to change when doing the timing belt. If oil should happen to get on the belt then it should be changed sooner rather than later. At the first sign of oil weeping from the shafts, I replace all the front seals, also checking and cleaning the flame trap, even the oil separator box if the leaks seem premature. I'd consider the maximum change interval for the engine front seals as 100K mi, meaning every second timing belt change. The rear main seal is a different story as it's much more involved to change it.

Just as important is the timing belt tensioner pulley. These should be cleaned and inspected at every 50K T-belt, making sure they spin smoothly and don't show any hint of excessive bearing wear, such as slop or vibration. For the tensioner, I recommend a maximum change interval of every 2nd T-belt or 100K mi whether or not showing signs of wear.

If the water pump is showing signs of nearing end of life then doing it at the same time is recommended as you've got easy access, even more so if it's also due for an antifreeze flush. For a known quality Volvo or Hepu pump, I'd consider 150K mi as the maximum change interval and for other pump brands, including the popular GMB, I'd lean closer to a maximum of 100K mi.

Many aftermarket suppliers sell timing belt kits. Check the brands and prices of the individual components to make sure you're getting the best parts at the best prices as they're not always at a discount price.

The good news is that you have a non-interference engine, so can afford to take higher risks with T-belt maintenance. If the timing belt ever breaks then there's little to no chance of valve damage and your biggest risk is a tow to a shop for a new belt and a taxi ride home.
--
Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Congratulations. Car manufactures don't make a lot of their parts. They are mainly assemblers of parts. Even if the parts have the Volvo logo. You've had very good luck so why wait till things break at inconvenient times and places.

Sounds like your not a do it yourself-er. Routine maintenance is a good place to start. Even if you just download the shop manuals and browse through them. You will be able to make better decisions and deal with shops.