Recently, as I wrote here, my timing belt went out taking 11 valves, and about everything else above the block, with it. I have had it all rebuilt, replaced, etc., but I was not told to return to have the belt re-tensioned or bolts re-tightened.

Now, the only reason I am asking this is because two friends with Volvos told me this should be done. However, does it make a difference that my 90 16V engine has automatic tensioners? Should I contact the Volvo repair place and ask for an appointment to do this? Would anyone know how many miles one can drive before this second procedure would need to be done?

Last, should this be considered part of the original job and performed free (fat chance)?

Thanks!
Dean

1990 740 (745t)GLE 16V SW

Bill is right from what Ive read. I don't recall if you mentioned milage, but they should have checked the idlers and belt tensioner. Also, I'm hoping that they replaced the balance shaft belt. This can do as much damage as the timing belt!.

I've run about 7k without the balance shaft belt without problems, (one of the balance shafts seemed stiff to turn), But at next timing belt change, I'm going to try to set it up right.

Good luck, these are nice running cars, with the proper maint.

jc
--
1985 740gle na, 1990 740gle 16 valve

The mileage for reseating the tensioner is about 500-1000 miles or so if I remember correctly.

I asked teh same question awhile back when I had a bunch of work done and had the t belt and tensioner replaced. My indy volvo only mech is very skilled, and when I asked him about it he just told me it was totally unnecessary. I asked him again to be sure and he said it just didn't need it.

A bit hesitant I posted to the board to see what others thought. The general consensus appeared to be that modern belt technology (materials, etc.) has made reseating the tensioner fairly moot (assuming, of course, that you use a quality belt like roulonds, etc.). Current belts simply don't stretch like they did previously, and the danged of a belt slipping off has been all but eliminated.

So the short answer is you can reseat it if you want, but you don't need to do it at all. And yes, reseating the tensioner should be included in the service... I can't see your mech giving you a problem over it since its about a five minute operation (pull the plug, loosen, tighten, replace plug).

-rt

You have an auto tensioner. There is nothing to reseat/retension as long as the balance shaft belt was properly tensioned to start. The cam belt is automatic. What I would worry about is the age of the auto tensioner.

my car is an 85 and not a 90. yes, the tensioner automatically seats itself when you release it after putting on the new belt, but you are then supposed to lock the tensioner back down with the bolt to make sure it stays in place.. This means that, as the belt stretches, it no longer has the same amount of tension on it and might jump a tooth if it stretched far enough.

This is why you reseat the tensioner, unscrewing the seating bolt and letting it snap into place farther along so it keeps the same tension. The only question is how much the belt you use is going to stretch. As I stated in my previous post, new belts simply don't stretch that much, but it depends on the quality of the bely you use.

So yes, you have an automatic tensioner, but no, that doesn't really matter in regards to wether or not you have to reseat it. And yes, there is something to reseat if you put your timing belt and tensioner on properly.

-rt