I need some advice. My sister has a 2000 S40 with 1.9L I 4 TC OHV Gas EFI engine. The car has 110,000 miles on it and the dealer quoted $1,100 to replace the timing belt. I do all the mechanical work on my cars and have replaced several timing belts. I took a quick look at her car and it looks like I might have my work cut out for me. I noticed the engine mount in the way and read on other sites mention of dropping or lifting the engine to replace the belt. My question is has anyone done this replacement in a driveway without special tools? Any advise on making it go easier? Any suggestion on prices for having an independant shop replace it? Help!!!!

I did my timing belt on my T4 on the driveway and needed no special tools. Just support the side of the engine and undo the engine mount. Don't forget to change the pulley, tensioners and waterpump while you have it apart.

Thanks Dandle! I'll give it a try!

What dealer did she go to?? I'm getting mine replaced next week and the dealer quoted me, with labor, a total of $283.00.

Hi CWazny4,
I live in Southern California. I checked with two dealers and an indepedant shop.
The dealers quoted $1150 for the 105,000 mile service. This service includes replacing the timing belt, tensioner and pulley. Without the service the replacement of the belt, tensioner and pulley was $650.00 to $780.00 at the dealer and $675.00 at the independant shop. Seems everything is more expensive in Southern California. Thanks for checking in your area.

Hey Newbie,
Regarding the replacement of your timing belt: which car was it for? Did they replace the tensioners? If the water pump is driven by the timing belt (it apparently is in some v/S-40s) did they replace the water pump too? Where is your mechanic located and are they an authorized Volvo shop? I am interested because I am 1200 miles from home and a local non-volvo mechanic has estimated $450 for the job. I don't know if he knows about the tensioner and waterpump issues.

Dandle, I will like to replace my timing belt myself. Any info which I should know before I replaced that belt? I will appreaciate if you can give me some hints about timing belt replacement. Thanks

i just paid less that £290 for timing belt with tensioners etc , waterpump and coolant.

Get a service manual and that will tell you all you need to know(do you have haynes manuals over there?). Once you've fitted the belt I would pull the spark plugs out of the car and turn over the engine a few times by hand, after a few turns move the engine back to TDC and check the timing marks on the pulleys are still correct. If you timing is out this will let you know without damaging the engine as you will feel if the valves are touching pistons or the marks will be out. There really isnt much more to say just follow the manual.

What means TDC? Thank you for info

MrWinkey has a nice writeup in Bay 13 at VolvoSpeed.

Top Dead Centre. Its where the no.1 piston(normally no.1 anyway) is at the top of its stroke with the valves closed. Its like a datum point so you know where everthing is before you take of the timing belt. All the pulley(crank and cam) marks will be lined up when the engine is at TDC.