timing belt / kit

[bunka T5]

Hello,

Just curious as to the consensus of brand when it comes to timing belts / kits.
Where do you lot usually purchase them, do you source discount codes, who do you swear by etc..
Used to use Euro car parts but they've become a tad expensive recently!

[V70 Graham]

Can't help, but watching this as mine will be due this year.

[bunka T5]

Aye, I did have a brief look around for previous threads but..

[MaxTS]

I've always used Gates/Conti etc and ever really gone for OEM parts. Obviously they would be a nicer option but probably costly so any well know brand will be fine IMO.

Mines due one too so we could do them together one day.

[Jamest5r]

Try Jamie at pfv, usually does a fair deal

[bunka T5]

Sure, need to do mine real soon as im just too paranoid to leave it! we can have a look at the belts themselves this w/end if you want

[hemihusky]

i used jamie at PFV and it was pretty good price. i forget how much it cost me for the kit (i still got the reciept somewhere if you wish to know beforehand?) it didnt come with that hydraulic adjuster at the bottom but it still has a deacent ammount of tention (enough to snap a drill bit) so i didnt bother replacing it. also got my water pump from there. its not genuine volvo. but OEM swedish aftermarket brand n been 4k miles since then. nothing to report touch wood =) dunno what tools you got i ended up getting some of those ipd camlock n serpentine belt stuff and they worked fine for me.

if i can do it im sure you can do it as im a tool when it comes to cars =P

[bunka T5]

Should be easier then servicing a central heating system so i may give it a go! When you say PFV, do you mean a website? Kinda noobish to the forums terminology ! Cheers

[Jamest5r]

Parts for volvo

[RollingThunder]

I'm very very cautious with the timing belt when its an interference engine, so its only a Volvo idler & tensioner, and either a Volvo or Continental belt for me. Check your water pump when you get the timing belt cover off - if you see traces of coolant under the pump then you'll need to swap that out as well. If its dry, then I'd leave it alone, the genuine Volvo water pumps last ages.

Its a straightforward job, just a bit tight on space - mentioning which, you can swap the belt without removing the crank pulley. You just need to twist it and be very patient I'm sure you'll do this, but I'll mention it anyway as a reminder - once the new belt is in situ and the tensioner in place, rotate the engine by hand though two complete cycles using a (32mm IIRC?) socket on the crank - then check the camshaft pulley timing marks line up. Its not unusual to find its jumped a tooth, plus if there is any metal-metal contact you'll find it before the engine is fired up.

Finally, I can also recommend the iPD tools. The first belt I did on a V70 took nearly a full day as I fought with the aux belt tensioner, making up Heath Robinson tools, which snapped etc... Bought the tools and the second belt took about 2 hours start to finish IIRC. Not exactly a pleasure to do, but much less painful!

HTH

[WOODY T5]

Try the main dealers first shop round ring different one near by got mine for 70 pound ish

[klunk]

Gates are what i use, I believe they are OEM with a lot of manufacturers and their tensioners are also normally Litens which are OEM aswell.

[bunka T5]

I was quoted £105 for labour alone, pondering on going down this route. I know its technically straight forward but as others have said ; when it comes to the engine timing I'd rather have someone fully insured to do this.
HOWEVER, when I finally get round to sticking my head under the bonnet tomorrow with MaxTS I'll have a look for myself to see if I feel upto it, save myself £100 or just pay for peace of mind. The quote was also including the replacement of the water pump too so.. ?

Does anyone know if the full belt kit comes with all the tensioners ?

[shepbomb]

Buy the waterpump and change anyway, it's a item I change every time the belt is done

[DSB Cheshire]

Definitely worth checking dealer price as you might not find lot in it...

[Ettienne]

Last gen belt I bought was £30 ish including and gen water pump £45 ish, not sure on kit price.

I've done 2 x guls t5rs, 940 and the sonic R with gen in last 12 months, just the 850r to go.

Water pump every other belt and probs usually arise when it changed for a rubbish pump with a plastic impeller. I know someone on 300k on original water pump on voc (now that's just tight lol)

[expolicev70t5]

Just had mine done on Friday, was £174 all fitted

[Ettienne]

Just had mine done on Friday, was £174 all fitted

Is that waterpump and belt with tensioners? Gen Volvo?

[Saaamon]

Has to be genuine, why take the chance for a few quid extra.

[expolicev70t5]

That was cam belt and tensioners, all from Andrew page so I would say non genuine and fitted by a local garage