hey all,
having trouble with my b230f 86 245. went to make sure the timing belt wasn't off a tooth, and when i line up the crank at 0deg. the timing mark on the cam gear is off with the mark on the inside of the timing belt cover. and it's half a tooth off, so it doesn't line up perfectly even if i move the belt over a tooth. i'm wondering if this is normal, or if i need to replace the belt or do something else? any and all help is greatly appreciated. thanks.

I don't know if this pic will be any help to you. It may only tell you what you already know. It always seems to be a judgement call as far as how close you are. Remember that nothing will be quite in the right place until the tensioner is released. If the belt is tight between the cam sprocket and the intermediate shaft, then you should be able to get both of those sprockets to hit their marks correctly. As Chris notes, though, the plastic timing cover back gets warped, melted, deformed, and isn't necessarily in the right place after 15+ years.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: "Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!"

Is it? I've never done my own timing belt before. Until I found the brickboard last fall, I always thought that the Volvo B-series engines were interference engines, and I didn't want to risk it.

But now that I know they're not...With this illustration, is it any harder than lining up those three timing marks (and having a good work light so you can see down behind the radiator?) Is it hard to schlep around any of the shafts if they get out of line?

I guess it might be tricky getting the fan shroud off. Would it make sense to cut it into two pieces and strap it back together for easy removal next time?

Or is it feasible to swap the belt without removing the fan shroud?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Doug Harvey

Doug,

I replaced the water pump on my 85 244 (manua) a while back and the shroud came off in one piece. Firs, I removed the 2 screws that fasten the shroud to the radiator but I left the shroud in place. Next, I removed the 4 nuts that hold the fan/clutch assembly to the water pump flange. After that, you can remove the fan/clutch by shifting the shroud back towards the engine and then slipping the fan/clutch forward and up through the opening between the front of the shroud and the back side of the radiator.

Now you can remove the shroud in one piece although you may have to slightly move the bottom radiator hose etc.

The cam gear mark is usually very close to matching, but not precisely. Part of the problem is that the plastic cover warps a little bit, and when you remove the outer cover, it allows the inner cover to move around slightly. I would venture a guess that you could move the inner cover slightly and then the cam gear mark would match. The warpage of the inner cover is minimal but it happens. Don't worry too much about it. Also there is a tiny bit of slack in the belt, etc. What you're describing is common.
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chris herbst, near chicago

When you line up the belt you are supposed to use the mark on the front motor
plate. Not the timing marks on the plastic cover. You could maybe shine
a flashlight down there and see if the mark is lined up. You would have
to shine the light behind the lower cover and make sure the cutout in the gear
is matching the mark on the front motor plate. Hope this helps you.
Dave 82 242ti