Timing belt tensioner broke causing engine to quit running.

GOODYEARSMOKEM

MEMBER
2000 VOLVO S80
96,000 MILES

Of course with my luck this is a interference engine. This the non turbo model. What are my chances that the valves did not get damaged. Would it be cost and time effective to put a new tensioner and belt on it and attempt starting it. I am not concerned about the time involved really just the twenty hours of a head removal and expense of the machine shop restoring it. I can’t believe this happened before it was due to be changed. Is there any recourse I could follow up with the dealer that you know about? Yes I am hoping you have different answers than what I truly already probably know the answers to. Well people play the lottery, I figured maybe with your experience and knowledge you might be able to help. (Come on pick three.)

2 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Chances are good for bent valves. You can set a new belt, do a compression test to confirm.
It is your responsibility not the dealers. Take it one step at a time.

Roy

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Monday, April 2nd, 2012 AT 1:21 AM

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,411 POSTS

Sorry to say this but 101% chance you bent the valves. Timing belt overdue. Volvo recommends 10 years or 105,000 miles whichever comes first. I did do a head once under warranty because the tensioner failed but car was only 6 years old. If you are a pretty good customer with Volvo and have all your repairs done there then you could have a good chance they may offer some type of goodwil to you wether they pay for labor only or split the bill? If they do the price would be at warranty time. But you would need to contact Volvo to see if they will help you? The worse that could happen is that they will say no. Good luck to you and let us know what happens.