Timing Belt/Heated Seat Question

[Setterhauler]

I have an 02 XC70 with 73k miles. As its nearing the 75k service mark, I called my dealer for pricing on the service. After the quote, they recommended that I change the timing belt as well due to the car being 10 years old. The maintenance book says 105k miles or 168 months. I called another dealer and an indy who both concurred I should change the belt. Thought I would reach out for an unbiased opinion...I also am having heated seat issues. Its getting warmer here in Colorado and I have noticed the drivers seat heater remains on, despite the switch being turned off and not illuminated. I popped the fuse, problem fixed for now. Any clues as to what may be causing this? Thanks, in advance, for recommendations!

[martinperry]

Personally, i get neurotic beyond 5 years on timing belts.
The consequences of failure are too horrible to think of!
Where did you get the 15 year recommendation from?
AFAIK the euro interval is 96K / 6 years which is pretty much the industry norm, other than Alfa who tried to stretch to 5 years in the late 90s only to hastily retreat to 3 years / 36000 miles when they all started snapping!!
REPLACE IT!!

[billr99]

The '02 owners manual (http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/...intenance.html) does indeed state 105K miles (168K mms) or 168 months (or 14 years). Although I'm pretty much for staying on OEM maintenance recommendations, I'd be concerned with a 14 year time on a TB belt. In my experience, there is almost more degradation of components from sitting than regular use and higher mileage. 105K miles over 14 years is only 7500 miles per year which is fairly light use. If the car is in a high ozone environment or other conditions that promote the degradation of rubber components, I would be worried as to whether the TB would be reliable. I'm inclined, based more on uneducated opinion, that in a case such as this a 5-6 year interval would be better. Relative to a blown engine, a TB change is cheap and one every 5 or 6 years would not be too burdensome. Probably be a good interval to take a good look at all the other rubber under the hood such as hoses as well.

Cheers,

Bill

[coflynn]

I called another dealer and an indy who both concurred I should change the belt. Thought I would reach out for an unbiased opinion

Do you really think it's a big conspiracy to cheat you out of money ;-)

In my experience, there is almost more degradation of components from sitting than regular use and higher mileage.

My car was sitting for just under 2 years while I was abroad, and it was used very lightly (driven on private property few times per month). But there was a very noticeable degradation of rubber from this lack of use, even things like the weatherstripping on the windows!

[JRL]

Cheange the belt NOW

[Astro14]

Let's see - belt is 10 years old...and you don't want to change it?

10 years is OLD for a timing belt...and 3 separate people told you to change it...but you don't believe them?

Look at it this way: belt breaks, you have two choices, replace engine (for several thousand $$), call junkyard (they might tow your now-worthless XC away for free...).

But hey, as the tow truck is dragging off your ruined car, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you're nobody's fool...those car guys sure didn't rip you off for a few hundred $$ in "unecessary work"...you're too smart for that...

Sorry, don't mean to be sarcastic, just can't believe that you're even questioning this...and have them replace both the tensioner and idler pulley while they're in there - not just the belt. All those parts have a lot of miles on them...and should be replaced as a set...

[howardc64]

On this car, there are 2 rollers that are replaced besides the belt during a timing belt job.

The rollers may leak internal grease and seize. When this happens, the belt breaks and the interference engine valve gets bent. From reaching the older version of this engine in the 850s, seized roller is the more common problem.

So there there are 3 components that needs replacement.

Here is a link from a Volvo mechanic with some pictures. He notes cracks in the belt between 70-80k miles.

http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-v...autions-15168/

On the heated seats, people do have problem with the internal heating element breaking with sitting or kneeing on the seats. I don't know if this is your problem though since it is not turning off.

[Setterhauler]

Thank you all for your advice. I just needed that 'nudge'. (Thanks, Astro14, ouch! A majority of my mistrust comes from my local dealer who has filled the car with the wrong type of oil once, the second service, they didn't put in enough oil to even register on the dipstick! Luckily, I filled it with fuel immediately after the service and checked the oil (I learned from my Dad to check the oil whenever I fill the tank...Thanks Dad!) So I've made the appointment at the Denver dealer where I bought the car for the T-Belt (with a $50 off online coupon!), rollers, AC service and addressing the heated seat issue. 'Lars' should be ready for a summer trip to Mt Rushmore afterwards!

[saynoto29ers]

Well said, Astro

[Astro14]

I was being sarcastic...and in that, trying to be helpful...

I hope I was helpful without being too much of a jerk...

Wait, don't answer that!

In all seriousness, I had just found out that the "noise" that my daughter heard on the Corolla was the harmonic balancer...it was loose, had been for a while, and damaged the crankshaft snout.

Took it apart yesterday, and now, there are many expensive parts on order...so I wasn't feeling too charitable about ignoring maintenance or taking a chance...the OP would really regret the cost of a broken belt...and an old one can look brand new...