Just a question on timing belt change frequency on my 95 965. I bought the car new in October of 95. In September 2000 I had the timing belt changed a 60K., 10 K earlier than recommended.

The car is now at 89K and only getting about 5K/yr due to my wife driving the Sienna almost all the time and me driving the 86 Toyota to work. At this rate, it will be around 2008 till the car is at 120K and needing a timing belt chnge based on mileage. Should I change the timing belt earlier, based on age? I don't want to risk a timing belt failure, since that would be the end of the road for the 965.
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Blane Gardner Couple of Volvos, Couple of Toyota Vans, and an Old Chebby

I own a 95 960, and have been faced with the same problem. It seems volvo has had several different change intervals for the 960: 50k, 60k, and now 120k. I called Volvo Canada, and three dealerships to confirm, and it appears that 120k is the specified interval for my 960. You might be wise to check with your national office and several dealerships for their thoughts. However, that being said, if it does go, it will likely destroy the pistons, valves, possibly score the cylendar walls, and if severe enough, could warp the engine head. I have several associates who spent approx $5,500 on the rebuild beccause they waited too long to change the belt. Even though he 120k may be recommended, I change mine at 90k or 100k. Better safe than sorry! Hope this helps.

The specified interval of 120 is in Kilometers I believe. I know, for sure, the number in miles is 70K. If you are using miles your are asking for a big repair bill!
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'96 965 with 16' wheels at 101K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

Sorry, Blane,

Just noticed you have a 960. IT COULD BE A BIG PROBLEM IF YOUR BELT BREAKS! (valve damage, etc). I was referring to a 940 (totally different engine).

I WOULD NOT GAMBLE ON THE 960 TIMING BELT!

CC

No problem. I am quite aware of the ticking time bomb under the hood of the 960, hence my post. I read the saga of Toyota Tom's "Christine" with dread and wonder. Heck, I even met the old girl once.
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Blane Gardner Couple of Volvos, Couple of Toyota Vans, and an Old Chebby

Blane,
My philosophy on my 94 940 is to drive the car till the belt breaks (which it recently did at 126K....1st belt). The car was back on the road in 3 hrs with no problmems. The engine is non-interference and a broken t belt should cause nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
I think the Timing Belt Anxiety Hoax is sort of like the oil company's "you better change your oil every 3K or else".
Just my humble opinion,
Chris

I have a 92 960 wagon after two engines I finally got the antifreeze leak from the cracked block fixed, I hope. The 6304f, 6304s are both interference engines. The earlier 92to94 have a narrow timing belt which I would change every 50,000 miles despite what the owners manual says, or every 4 years, period. The newer engine belt lasts longer but because of the engine damage it causes when it breaks I would change at the same interval. The timing belt tensioner I change every second belt replacement. 1987 760 GLE 200K 1989 740 turbo 157K 1990 760 turbo 143K 1992 960 111K

Assuming your car got the damper added to the exhaust cam at the re-call, I think if I remember the right numbers your interval is now 30K miles. With the damper, wider and longer belts on bigger pulleys the '95 and later engines have a 70K mile interval. With all the changes, 70K is very reasonable for the later engines.
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'96 965 with 16' wheels at 101K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

I have had the belt break on a B230FT at 50,xxx miles. That low mileage failure is uncommon, but it is easier to change the belt every 60,000 miles than be stranded.

As the other post stated, the 965 uses the B2304 engine, and a belt break will bend valves and probably cost around $2000 to repair.

The B6304 engines IS an interference engine. Driving it until the timing belt snaps would be catastrophic to the valves, pistons, etc....
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1998 S90 062,925 1995 964 145,750

I think Rich K in Fairfax recommends every 5 years if less than the 70K multiples. The rubber gets attacked by ozone.

You might also want to change all the collant hoses and check the oil filter adapter for leaks.
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Warren Bain - '99 V70GLT G-Valve > 70K mi, '96 965 >110Kmi Wifemobile near Manassas Va.. Check the 700/900 FAQ via the 'features' pull down menu.

Change it at the recommended mileage or the time at which it would normally be changed assuming 15k miles a year of driving. The belts age and crack just sitting there and would fail in advance of the normal mileage-only threshold if you left them in the car.