Questions and Answers

Volvo S70 Timing Belt And Water Pump Q. Hello, I soon will be changing the timing belt on a friend's 1998 Volvo S70, as the car has reached approximately 135,000 without having this service performed. I have two questions about this job. First, should I change the water pump while I am at it? I do a lot of timing belts on Hondas, and have learned the hard way that it is a good idea to R&R the water pump while the car is apart.

Do Volvo water pumps tend to fail with any regularity, or should I simply check for "weeping" and leave well enough alone if none is present?

Secondly, I noticed that the timing belt tensioner is hydraulic, and must be compressed and locked in place with a pin before installation of the new belt. The Volvo manual tells one to use a special tool to do this (PN 5456). I was wondering if a large C-clamp would do the same thing.

I have used this method before on other makes, but this is my first foray into a Volvo. Any help you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,
Carl

A. The water pump is less than $80.00 for that car. I think that's cheap insurance against possible having to do the job again in two or three months. Personally, I would go ahead and replace it as long as I was in there.

In the manual it says "Compress tensioner with tool 939 5456, or equivalent. If the C-clamp will do the trick, I would say that it is equivalent to the tool. I have the special tool but I don't see why a C-clamp would not works as well.