Hey...pinpointed me a 1997 960 sedan, priced right.
However, the owner since '99 does not know what a TB is/does or if it was replaced and no service records avail.

What kind of harm will ensue if the TB snaps?!?

How much roughly/ballpark/thereabouts is this update job?? And I will be checking with a reputable Volvo exclusive independent wrench nearby to compare (and save?!?).

What else should be done at that time, as with the B230s there were some seals to update and the water pump was accessible too!


Thanks-Mike!

Please change the belt immediately!!!

The life of the belt is 70 000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first.

Changing of the belt is easy and cheap, loosing an engine is not.
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M-B S320L ( had 144/80k 440/60k 940TDI/210k S90 80 k )

The belt is changed at 70K miles, period.
--
David Hunter

Yeah, I've not heard of the 4-year criterion either. I'd bet I'm way over that.
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 110K

4 years max lifetime is specified in the European service instructions. Mine was changed in 60 000 miles because of this limit. Changing the belt is cheap, so no reason to neglect this compared with results of a snapped belt.
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M-B S320L ( had 144/80k 440/60k 940TDI/210k S90 80 k )

I agree with a time limit, but Europeans drive differently. They go MUCH faster than we do, but not as far as we go in one year. I would think 5 years is reasonable and 6 years kind of stretching the limit.
Klaus
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95 854T, 88 780, 88 245, 01 A4 Audi

Absolutely! I had just never hear of it, and it is not in the US owner's manual..at least I haven't seen it. I put on about 10K on the car each year, so it's pretty obvious that the belt could be degrading..I will check it out. Thanks for that European perspective.
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 110K

It is not in the owners manual, but it is in the service instructions of the European dealers.

Cheap insurance for your 24 valve motor.
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M-B S320L ( had 144/80k 440/60k 940TDI/210k S90 80 k )

Its not a hard job to do, if you end up buying this car either find a good independent shop or plan on doing the majority of the routine work (and this is routine) yourself or it will cost ya.

You dont say what the mileage is, even if it is less than 70k, I would change out the timing and serpentine belts. I might even go so far as to do the water pump since it is pretty much out in the open once you get the timing belt off. Go to fcpgroton.com for the best deals on parts for this car.

If there are no maintenance records then it sounds like there wasnt much maintenance done on the car. If you can have it looked over by a good independent volvo mechanic (not by a dealer) that will help to pinpoint any problems the car might have. These are very nice cars, but they do have their issues and you should know what you are getting into. Search back on this and the 900 forums and you will get a flavor of what is involved.
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97 S90 with 176K miles still going strong

Assuming a minimum of 12,000 miles a year, that 960 has had at least 60,000 miles with no belt change under the previous owner. No telling how many miles before that. If the belt breaks, the valves and pistons hit and at least the head is severely damaged. Some have reported the loss of the whole engine. You need to gat that belt replaced and perhaps the tensioner and idler as well. See this page in the 700/900 FAQ.

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EngineSealsBeltsVent.htm#960TimingBeltChange

Don't put it off!