Purchasing a 2010 with 116k miles through Shift.com. They say the timing belt and water pump are not in need of changing. I'm going to get it looked at myself but if I send it back I lose $1500 from delivery fee. Husband wanted to purchase vehicle protection plan but of course it says it won't cover belts (will cover a lot though including the top). First owner kept up with every little piece of maintenance. Second and last owner had it for about 3 years and there isn't a single maintenance report on Carfax. No idea if he just never took care of it (put about 50k miles on it though) or if he did his own work? Either way no mention of these things being serviced. Should I assume I'll need to do it, ditch the protection plan and spend that money on this instead? I can't easily do both at least not immediately.
2010 Volvo c70 should I trust dealer?
Passionred10
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Purchasing a 2010 with 116k miles through Shift.com. They say the timing belt and water pump are not in need of changing. I'm going to get it looked at myself but if I send it back I lose $1500 from delivery fee. Husband wanted to purchase vehicle protection plan but of course it says it won't cover belts (will cover a lot though including the top). First owner kept up with every little piece of maintenance. Second and last owner had it for about 3 years and there isn't a single maintenance report on Carfax. No idea if he just never took care of it (put about 50k miles on it though) or if he did his own work? Either way no mention of these things being serviced. Should I assume I'll need to do it, ditch the protection plan and spend that money on this instead? I can't easily do both at least not immediately.
Timing belt service interval is 105k miles (or 120k depending on VIN number) or 10 years, whichever comes first.
Without any records of that being done, If I were you, I would just assume it was never replaced. I would use that as a leverage to get a discount on the price of the car.
If you buy it, get it replaced ASAP. If that belt breaks, it will break the engine.
Without any records of that being done, If I were you, I would just assume it was never replaced. I would use that as a leverage to get a discount on the price of the car.
If you buy it, get it replaced ASAP. If that belt breaks, it will break the engine.
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Three years ago I flew to Connecticut to pick up my 96th car, My beloved 2007 c70. At 85,000 miles I was concerned and negotiated with the seller to split the timing belt replacement cost. Took to a Bosch certified garage who in doing the work advised that the tensioner came off in his hand. Would have never made it to Ohio. Like Facusan, I am a proponent to not pushing the limit of a timing belt that if blown will ruin your engine!
How can the dealer say the timing belt does not need to be changed? Both criterias have been met, the only way it does not need one is if it has been changed, and he must have proof of that. Otherwise that's just used car dealer BS. 'my mechanic says the belt looks fine' is NOT fine
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How much do they want for it?
Pretty simple, I think. They say it's good, so take it to a reputable indy or Volvo dealer and pay for an assessment. If they are any good, they can tell. If they say it was never replaced, then Shift misrepresented the condition and they are out the shipping. If the price is good, maybe split the timing belt cost and get the warranty. If you can't afford the timing belt or do it yourself, a Volvo is not the car for you.
If the timing belt looks good, but the serpentine is tired, pay for that to be done, as they have been known to take out the timing belt when they fail.
Pretty simple, I think. They say it's good, so take it to a reputable indy or Volvo dealer and pay for an assessment. If they are any good, they can tell. If they say it was never replaced, then Shift misrepresented the condition and they are out the shipping. If the price is good, maybe split the timing belt cost and get the warranty. If you can't afford the timing belt or do it yourself, a Volvo is not the car for you.
If the timing belt looks good, but the serpentine is tired, pay for that to be done, as they have been known to take out the timing belt when they fail.
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I'm in agreeance with everyone, if they can't provide some evidence that the belt has been changed, assume it wasn't, and it certainly is over due for it. They're rare cars, but not ultra rare. I'd probably try to find one locally that you can inspect. A $1500 return fee seems high given the competition for online sales that don't have chargeback policies too.
Guess I really should do my 2008. After 14 years, they are still telling me I'm safe and it's ok. I trust no one. I just hit 59,000 miles. Car is like new and I'd like it to stay that way until I can be buried in it! I know I shouldn't but I'm taking it to Volvo to do.
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Why would taking it to a dealer to do be a bad idea? From that comment "they are still telling me I'm safe and it's ok" is not coming from a dealer? 14 years is way too long on a car you care about. It's a dealer's bread and butter, and many dealers have loaner cars... which these days more than make up the cost difference if you were to get a rental or something.
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I hear you all. I did my 2011 S40 as it had 89k on it (all belts,H2O pump,idlers & thermostat). But my 2011 C70 has only 45k as of yesterday. But I was told by an informed independent mechanic that if it had been garaged (and it had) then the breakdown of the belts is far less than if it was in the elements 24/7. So he felt I could wait.
I live in Central Coast CA- and there is no road salt and the weather is far from extreme cold or humidity here. Both never left this temperate climate. Any comments on this one? Thanks to all
I live in Central Coast CA- and there is no road salt and the weather is far from extreme cold or humidity here. Both never left this temperate climate. Any comments on this one? Thanks to all
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How do the elements not in a garage affect a belt that's covered top to bottom? I wouldn't trust that advice.
Of course climate is a factor, but the garage thing just doesn't add up at all. And timing belts are downright cheap compared to the risk of the motor... not sure why folks try and skimp there.
Of course climate is a factor, but the garage thing just doesn't add up at all. And timing belts are downright cheap compared to the risk of the motor... not sure why folks try and skimp there.
Well, if your timing belt has never been replaced, then, you car already met one of the conditions for replacement (10 years). Unless that person who's telling you "It's safe, you're OK" knows the belt was replaced at some point, then ignore their statements and get it replaced soon. As I mentioned before, if the belt breaks, it will ruin the engine.
@gotart: To be honest, I find that theory of the "belt suffering less degradation when the car is garaged" very hard to take seriously. If it's true, then difference should be negligible. Unless when compared to car with exposed belts parked outdoors at all times. Going with that is a risky gamble where there is too much to lose and very little to gain. Timing belts come with a manufacture date, same as tires and expiration date for each is 10 years (What volvo says, I wouldn't go more than 7/8 years) and 6 years respectively. For example, Would you buy a gallon of milk that says it expired on past month?
If you can do it yourself, spend the ~$75-80 in belts (timing and serpentines) and replace them. With 45k miles, I'm pretty sure tensioners and water pump should be in good condition, and those can be checked during belt replacement. Just remember to replace those once the car hits the normal interval (105/120k).
Correct. Not from the dealer. But a very close friend who has been my mechanic for minor stuff. When it comes to major things, I go to Volvo of Edison. Don’t care what it costs me but no one does it better than Volvo IMO. And this car has been basically flawless for 14 years. Can’t complain. The person who thinks he knows it all and says I’m a fool for going to Volvo is my husband! After being with him or 47 years, you don’t think I care what he says! And my car has always been garaged if that means anything. I never had anyone sit in the back and rarely in my passenger seat. And if they do, they have to take their shoes off! So no one drives with me! LOL.
One advantage of going with the volvo dealer is the lifetime warranty on parts (they have it in Canada, not sure in the US?) That means you only have to pay for the water pump and idler once. It's a very long term plan, but the second time you'll get it changed, they will probably call you saying 'the water pump is seeping you should change it', you can just reply 'that's fine, put it on the warranty' 
When I had mine done on the c30 the dealer price was not that much more than an independant near me by the way. That's not true for a lot of jobs and it pays to shop around, but for a timing belt they are not way more expensive.
Also, rubber ages and hardens, making it more brittle. Yes it's possible to prolong its life by leaving it in a controlled environment (temp and humidity), but an engine bay is far from that. Conditions are way worse when driving that any garage vs. outdoor comparison. Sure the belt might look fine, but it' s a very cheap insurance compared to the cost of an engine swap that totals most p1s these days. If volvo says 10 years, it's simply that they experienced an exponential failure rate after that. It does not say the belt will fail at 11 years old, it just says that the probability of failure increases dramatically. Somebody's experience saying his timing belt lasted 25years does not mean it won't fail on the 99 other, it's just an anomaly.
When I had mine done on the c30 the dealer price was not that much more than an independant near me by the way. That's not true for a lot of jobs and it pays to shop around, but for a timing belt they are not way more expensive.
Also, rubber ages and hardens, making it more brittle. Yes it's possible to prolong its life by leaving it in a controlled environment (temp and humidity), but an engine bay is far from that. Conditions are way worse when driving that any garage vs. outdoor comparison. Sure the belt might look fine, but it' s a very cheap insurance compared to the cost of an engine swap that totals most p1s these days. If volvo says 10 years, it's simply that they experienced an exponential failure rate after that. It does not say the belt will fail at 11 years old, it just says that the probability of failure increases dramatically. Somebody's experience saying his timing belt lasted 25years does not mean it won't fail on the 99 other, it's just an anomaly.
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Yes all the right reasons to replace all the rubber parts and I am an overzealous PM guy (preventative maintenance). At 75 I can not work on cars like I used to - body will not unfold and fold again. Last year was my last for oil changes, had to farm it out. I was depressed for a week- My friends tried to get me to cheer up- but it all failed. I just had to relinquish. Thanks Facusan again for measured logical responses. Making an app't on Monday. I love my C70-
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The mechanic says it is in fine condition, not brittle or dry. I WISH I could make demands and tell them to do something or split cost with me. In this market I'm lucky they're willing to sell it to me at all. It's been so hard to find a vehicle. Much less one I want and can be financed. They'd just laugh and sell it to the next guy.
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I had mine done for a second time at 14 years (2007)......car only has 85k but I have over-serviced it since new and going to continue doing so....
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I gave up on Volvo dealer servicing not because of the price (which is high) but because of the experience I had at the two dealerships in my area (I have since moved)......where I live now, there is an independent shop that specializes in Volvo run by a Volvo master-mechanic who came out of a dealership, and he confirmed my rant that Volvo's dealership experiences are not their strong suit
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Find a younger guy (or gal) that likes cars and have him "help" and enjoy each others company. I know there are fewer and fewer young folks that seem mechanically inclined, but they're out there. I have a friend I used to work with that has gotten up in years. He has a few old Corvettes (72 and 57). The last few years has really hit his mobility. I go over about every other week to help him take care of the cars and other small stuff, and the hardest part is getting him to realize that I really enjoy it. And finally found a younger guy that works up the road from me that is just starting to tinker with his own maintenance. It's been a joy for me to share my tools and offer up my work space. IMO the motors have always been fun and it's a treat to drive... but the best part of the car hobby is the friendships. Don't miss them.
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