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Author: Subject: CAM belt - original part or not.
Rosco

posted on 27/6/17 at 07:17 AM Reply With Quote
CAM belt - original part or not.

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

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cliftyhanger

posted on 27/6/17 at 07:31 AM Reply With Quote
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??)

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snapper

posted on 27/6/17 at 08:33 AM Reply With Quote
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





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loggyboy

posted on 27/6/17 at 08:35 AM Reply With Quote
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]





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motorcycle_mayhem

posted on 27/6/17 at 08:59 AM Reply With Quote
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.

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v8kid

posted on 27/6/17 at 10:29 AM Reply With Quote
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!





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spaximus

posted on 27/6/17 at 10:54 AM Reply With Quote
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.

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nick205

posted on 27/6/17 at 11:12 AM Reply With Quote
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]

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ian locostzx9rc2

posted on 27/6/17 at 11:56 AM Reply With Quote
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 .
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nick205

posted on 27/6/17 at 12:49 PM Reply With Quote
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 .


Yup - had a V50 myself for a short time and there's not a lot of space under the bonnet!

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britishtrident

posted on 28/6/17 at 04:48 AM Reply With Quote
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.





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spaximus

posted on 28/6/17 at 06:17 AM Reply With Quote
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.

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