S90 cambelt failure...any experience?

[Pothole]

M cambelt tensioner went yesterday and I'm waiting to see what the damage is. Was only going slow so hope not too many bent valves. Anyone had one go on the 2.9 IL6?

[morgrp]

I've done several inline 5s (B5204 and B5234) whic is essentially the same engine - they are fantastically easy and enjoyable to work on - I would think 850 5cylinder valves will fit and are more readily available - but don't hold me to that - I have done a t4 engine (same as the 5 and 6cylinder) which snapped a belt and I stuck 850 R valves in it as I had some spare and they were the same. Rebuild wise, go for either a genuine headset or one made by Payen and go for either a genuine or gates belt kit.

The inline 6 was notorious for snapping cambelts - especially the early ones.
Little tip - Volvo suggest 60k belt change intervals - forget that and change the belt every 40k.

[Pothole]

this belt was 20k old, it was the tensioner which failed apparently. looking ok atm, machanic says no bent valves so 'just' £300 for the new belt, tensioner, some bearing or other and the labour...

[morgrp]

Fingers crossed then - sounds like you were lucky! Often depends on the engine speed when the belt snaps as to how badly the valves hit the pistons

[Pothole]

pretty slow, was negotiating a mini roundabout in a small village. Not fully tested yet but early signs are good