850 T5 cambelt change prices

[Ruffy94]

I know it's a question many people have asked before on various forums, but I can't find any recent results. Im normally happy to have a go at things, but im not sure its the ideal car to attempt a first cambelt change on!

So would appreciate any info from people that have had a cambelt done recently at either a main dealer or independent.

Im in Bedford so any info on good garages vaguely nearby would be a bonus...

[martinrpeachey]

Well I paid £183 to have the belt done on my P2 T5 and that has VVT to contend with.

Any reputable local garage will be able to do it. I'd suggest having the water pump done at the same time.

[kwk]

My local and trusted garage did the job for an hours labour. I supplied the genuine Volvo parts.

[morgrp]

£183 sounds a fair price - depends on a) whether you would want to replace the water pump (recommended) and b) if you just want to replace just the belt or buy a kit to do the tensioner as well (also recommended)

[Ruffy94]

Thanks for the help guys, would have been looking to do the pump as well. It was going to be for a car I was looking to purchase this weekend, however went back to have a second look today and it was leaking oil so decided to give it a miss. The search continues!

[morgrp]

Ruffy94 said:

Thanks for the help guys, would have been looking to do the pump as well. It was going to be for a car I was looking to purchase this weekend, however went back to have a second look today and it was leaking oil so decided to give it a miss. The search continues!

That'll no doubt be a rear main seal blown through having a blocked breather. Little tip when looking at any 5 pot volvo, Start it up and pull the dip stick whilst its running - hot or cold (doesn't matter) - there should be no smoke whilst its running - if it smokes out of the dipstick then the breather is blocked. This in turn leads to it blowing the rear main seal which is a fairly massive job to put right. It can be cured if the main seal is not leaking - but really a blocked breather is a sign of poor maintenance and using the wrong or low quality oil. Another good way to check is to (whilst it is running) carefully undo the oil filler cap and check for a slight vacuum as the breather systems sucks its back down - this is harder to check as the vacuum effect is only slight but worth a try.

I went to look at a typically "mint" V70R awd the other day with the owner making all sorts of claims like "has wanted for nothing" and "will not need anything doing to it for a long time"

I spent 5 minutes looking at it and after identifying approx 20 different faults with it without even driving it I politely thanked the owner for his time and promptly left (incidentally the breather was blocked on this one too!)

Made me realise that its pointless me getting rid of my current C70 as whilst it has the odd mark here and there compared to most it is "mint" certainly mechanically its in far better shape than most i've seen

[Ruffy94]

morgrp said:

That'll no doubt be a rear main seal blown through having a blocked breather. Little tip when looking at any 5 pot volvo, Start it up and pull the dip stick whilst its running - hot or cold (doesn't matter) - there should be no smoke whilst its running - if it smokes out of the dipstick then the breather is blocked. This in turn leads to it blowing the rear main seal which is a fairly massive job to put right. It can be cured if the main seal is not leaking - but really a blocked breather is a sign of poor maintenance and using the wrong or low quality oil. Another good way to check is to (whilst it is running) carefully undo the oil filler cap and check for a slight vacuum as the breather systems sucks its back down - this is harder to check as the vacuum effect is only slight but worth a try.

I went to look at a typically "mint" V70R awd the other day with the owner making all sorts of claims like "has wanted for nothing" and "will not need anything doing to it for a long time"

I spent 5 minutes looking at it and after identifying approx 20 different faults with it without even driving it I politely thanked the owner for his time and promptly left (incidentally the breather was blocked on this one too!)

Made me realise that its pointless me getting rid of my current C70 as whilst it has the odd mark here and there compared to most it is "mint" certainly mechanically its in far better shape than most i've seen

Actually viewed the car twice. At first look I was happy with the history and bills that they could produce. Did a few basic mechanical and visual checks (However I didn't do the 'dipstick smoke check') didnt see anything to put me off and it drove really well. I left it a few days before ringing back to put a deposit on it so its anyones guess what happened to it during those few days... But when I went back it had been leaking enough oil for me to be unable to see where it was coming from without cleaning it off. (around the back of the engine bay and running down to the ground). Was vaguely hoping it was just an oil return line, but using my better judgement I walked away.

Seemed like a respectful dealer (I haven't used them before) and they thought they would now probably end up sending it to the auction around the corner. They orginally took it as a part ex and it wasn't in the price range the rest of their cars are at, but they thought it was originally 'too good to auction' funny that.

[morgrp]

Ruffy94 said:

Actually viewed the car twice. At first look I was happy with the history and bills that they could produce. Did a few basic mechanical and visual checks (However I didn't do the 'dipstick smoke check') didnt see anything to put me off and it drove really well. I left it a few days before ringing back to put a deposit on it so its anyones guess what happened to it during those few days... But when I went back it had been leaking enough oil for me to be unable to see where it was coming from without cleaning it off. (around the back of the engine bay and running down to the ground). Was vaguely hoping it was just an oil return line, but using my better judgement I walked away.

Seemed like a respectful dealer (I haven't used them before) and they thought they would now probably end up sending it to the auction around the corner. They orginally took it as a part ex and it wasn't in the price range the rest of their cars are at, but they thought it was originally 'too good to auction' funny that.

They are known for oil return leaks on the turbo through o-ring failure but it isn't a huge leak when they do - 850's do also suffer with leaky steering racks ultimately requiring a new rack (£400 - for an exchange part)

[Ruffy94]

morgrp said:

They are known for oil return leaks on the turbo through o-ring failure but it isn't a huge leak when they do - 850's do also suffer with leaky steering racks ultimately requiring a new rack (£400 - for an exchange part)

I can tell you that it was definitely engine oil, had a fair bit of it on my hands after giving it a quick investigation! Steering seemed fine (no wining noises or strange feelings) ive had power steering leaks on a previous car so would assume warning signs could be similar, good to know though!.

Would possibly be tempted to bid on it as a project car if it went through the auction for a couple of quid, but without having any previous experience with the cars, it definitely put me off committing to buy it.

[BlimeyCharlie]

I've had my 850 t5 for a while now and always leaked oil.
Just lived with it but found recently it was as simple as the oil cap not sealing tightly. The washer had perished.

Maybe check it is not that if car still available/for sale as I understand that is a common problem.
Oil had run down the back of the engine and looked far worse than it actually was.

[Ruffy94]

BlimeyCharlie said:

I've had my 850 t5 for a while now and always leaked oil.
Just lived with it but found recently it was as simple as the oil cap not sealing tightly. The washer had perished.

Maybe check it is not that if car still available/for sale as I understand that is a common problem.
Oil had run down the back of the engine and looked far worse than it actually was.

Cap seemed to fit ok when I had a look around it. It hasn't been relisted/sold anyhwere that I can find so I have a feeling it was something a bit more serious! Still very interested in finding one though, unfortunately I want a manual and they're proving tricky to find, plenty of autos coming up on ebay/ATrader etc!