Why does my Volvo dealer suggest that my car's timing belt doesn't need changing until 10 years or 100,000 miles?
I was interested in your comment to NB of Fleet that the Volvo engine in his 2.5T Mondeo could suffer timing belt problems. I have a 5-year-old Volvo with the 2.4i 5-cylinder engine and recently expressed surprise to the dealer that my handbook recommends a belt change at eight years, compared to the generally accepted six years. (I was planning to change at the next service circa 20,000 miles.) I was then shown a Volvo service recommendation stating that the timing belt on that engine was now recommended to be changed at 10 years or 100,000 miles and they went on to assure me that they had not experienced any belt problems. I would be interested in your comments as the dealer seems to be firmly against me having a change at six years.
Get the servicing dealer to unreservedly guarantee in writing as part of his service contract with you (that you pay for) that the belt will not fail for any reason until 100,000 miles. If he won't, get it changed when your sensible instincts tell you to get it changed. The water pump, too. Water pump failure is the main reason for belt failure on this engine.
Answered by Honest John on
