My V50 (5 cylinder 2.4 Diesel) is scheduled for a routine cam belt change at 108,000 miles. Apparently the scope includes CAM belt, aux belts and
tensioners. The question is whether to go for an original Volvo part or independent, the cost different is significant. Clearly it's a critical
engine component and a failure would cost much more that the cost differential for the new belts.
Options:
£580 - Volvo Main dealer
£490 - Volvo specialist using Volvo parts
£300 - Independent garage using independent parts
What do recommend?
Thanks
Get the indy garage to get a price to use a volvo kit?
Personally I would be using OEM, gates or dayco. That includes all the tensioners (and water pump??)
No car manufacturer makes their own belts, they are all sourced from specialist belt manufacturers, granted they be have to meet manufacturers
specifications.
If the belt life is 108,000 miles then change the next one at half distance
Depends on how complex the process of belt change is. For example the Renault has a 'floating' system with no key ways, and its surprising
how many 'normal' garages have no clue of this and start getting tipex and timing strobes out to finish the job, when in fact it needs a few
specialist tools and fair amount of experience to get right.
As above, there are no/few manufacturer who makes parts like that, however there is a large variation in quality of aftermarket parts. Could you look
at buying the genuine parts online (usually a the same or better than trade prices, with no 'mark up) then if it is a more simple/traditional
style of timing then ask the independent to fit your purchased parts.
[Edited on 27-6-17 by loggyboy]
I've recently done SWMBO's Corsa (2005 1.8). Vauxhall have reduced the intervals to 40,000 miles, the tensioner started chattering at just
over 30,000 (a fatal indication) so had a look to find the belt had stretched. Belt was a 'Vauxhall' dealer part, manufacturer undefined.
Pulleys were 'INA' with the Vauxhall kit.
I replaced the tensioner, pulleys and belt (leaving the water pump in place) with a 'INA' kit from ECP. Complete kit came to just over £60.
Belt looked extremely good quality.
Generally if you buy Gates belts you are buying the best and they are significantly cheaper than dealer parts.
IIRC with my van I bought a kit of parts from Gates and the part numbers printed on the components were the same as the existing parts!! Most
comforting as the tensioning pulley had worn to such an extent I was convinced they had sent wrong parts until I spotted the numbers were the same.
All works perfectly.
Cheers!
Gates make one quality belt that is OE quality, made in the factory in Dumfries in Scotland. If you buy an genuine Volvo part it will more than likely
be a gates one in the box.
Always change everything connected to the belt, tensioners pulleys, a full kit will contain all you need.
If the water pump is run buy the timing belt, change that as well, it is cheap insurance.
Independent using Volvo parts for me. I've done this with several VAG cars over the years. The garage I use is owned and operated by ex Audi
main dealer technicians.
ETA...as above ensure that a complete kit is used and change the water pump too. IMHO it's cheaper and safer to do the job properly + you get a
coolant change as part of the job.
[Edited on 27/6/17 by nick205]
Easy belt and water pump to change less room in a v50 than v70 gates kit or dayco are more than likely o.e anyway .
quote:
Originally posted by ian locostzx9rc2
Easy belt and water pump to change less room in a v50 than v70 gates kit or dayco are more than likely o.e anyway .
I have seen a couple postings on the net complaining that on some Gates timing belt kits the tensioner has not been OEM quality and has failed prematurely.
I can assure you that all Gates bearings are OE quality. Most are made by SKF or by INA which is part of the LUK group.
The most common reason for failure is fitting errors.
The other reason is sometime people supplying on the net will make up a kit themselves by buying a Gates Belt and then sticking a cheaper bearing with
it and selling that on.