Timing belt busted

92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
towed in.
But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
repairable? or time for a new engine?
Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.

On 8/22/2009 12:29 PM, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
> good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
> towed in.
> But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
> likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
> repairable? or time for a new engine?
> Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
> a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.
Most likely you bent a few valves & have a few broken valve guides & it
is time to replace the cylinder head there are 2 ways to go have the
dealer repair with a exchange cylinder head (Rebuilt) have your local
Volvo specialist perform the repair & locate a cylinder head in a junk
yard the last option is the cheaper way to go. But it is NOT time for a
new engine.

Glenn K
Certified Volvo Technician 2008
ASE Certified Technician 2008

On 8/22/2009 12:29 PM, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
> good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
> towed in.
> But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
> likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
> repairable? or time for a new engine?
> Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
> a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.
Most likely you bent a few valves & have a few broken valve guides & it
is time to replace the cylinder head there are 2 ways to go have the
dealer repair with a exchange cylinder head (Rebuilt) have your local
Volvo specialist perform the repair & locate a cylinder head in a junk
yard the last option is the cheaper way to go. But it is NOT time for a
new engine.

Glenn K
Certified Volvo Technician 2008
ASE Certified Technician 2008

On 8/22/2009 12:29 PM, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
> good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
> towed in.
> But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
> likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
> repairable? or time for a new engine?
> Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
> a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.
Most likely you bent a few valves & have a few broken valve guides & it
is time to replace the cylinder head there are 2 ways to go have the
dealer repair with a exchange cylinder head (Rebuilt) have your local
Volvo specialist perform the repair & locate a cylinder head in a junk
yard the last option is the cheaper way to go. But it is NOT time for a
new engine.

Glenn K
Certified Volvo Technician 2008
ASE Certified Technician 2008

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
> good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
> towed in.
> But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
> likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
> repairable? or time for a new engine?
> Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
> a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.


Oh boy, that's gonna be a mess.

Bare minimum you're looking at probably 15-20 bent valves, damaged
guides in the head, dented and possibly cracked pistons. Most likely
extensive damage that will require a full rebuild if the engine is even
rebuildable. This is why it's REALLY important to keep up with timing
belt replacements. That inline 6 is a fantastic engine, real sad way to
see one go.

On Aug 24, 9:11*pm, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
> masqqqq...@aol.com wrote:
> > 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. * Only
> > good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
> > towed in.
> > * *But...........I believe this is an interference engine? *Most
> > likely trashed the engine. *How extensive might the damage be?
> > repairable? *or time for a new engine?
> > * * *Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
> > a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.
>
> Oh boy, that's gonna be a mess.
>
> Bare minimum you're looking at probably 15-20 bent valves, damaged
> guides in the head, dented and possibly cracked pistons. Most likely
> extensive damage that will require a full rebuild if the engine is even
> rebuildable. This is why it's REALLY important to keep up with timing
> belt replacements. That inline 6 is a fantastic engine, real sad way to
> see one go.

the damage is extensive, pretty much like you said. Valves stuck and
bent, pistons holed. Didn't look any deeper.
The timing belt was well within it's mileage specs. Makes it all
even sadder.
On the other hand, this car has been a maintenance lemon for me
since I got it 4 years ago. Transmission, wiring harnesses, engine
electronics, anti-lock brakes, have all needed more attention than
they should have. It's time to let 'er go. The body is still rust
free, even though the paint has gone to hell, I might find somebody
that wants her.
And..............may the volvo gods forgive me...........I went
and bought a 1999 Outback yesterday.

bind wrote:
> On Aug 24, 9:11 pm, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> masqqqq...@aol.com wrote:
>>> 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
>>> good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
>>> towed in.
>>> But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
>>> likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
>>> repairable? or time for a new engine?
>>> Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
>>> a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.
>> Oh boy, that's gonna be a mess.
>>
>> Bare minimum you're looking at probably 15-20 bent valves, damaged
>> guides in the head, dented and possibly cracked pistons. Most likely
>> extensive damage that will require a full rebuild if the engine is even
>> rebuildable. This is why it's REALLY important to keep up with timing
>> belt replacements. That inline 6 is a fantastic engine, real sad way to
>> see one go.
>
> the damage is extensive, pretty much like you said. Valves stuck and
> bent, pistons holed. Didn't look any deeper.
> The timing belt was well within it's mileage specs. Makes it all
> even sadder.
> On the other hand, this car has been a maintenance lemon for me
> since I got it 4 years ago. Transmission, wiring harnesses, engine
> electronics, anti-lock brakes, have all needed more attention than
> they should have. It's time to let 'er go. The body is still rust
> free, even though the paint has gone to hell, I might find somebody
> that wants her.
> And..............may the volvo gods forgive me...........I went
> and bought a 1999 Outback yesterday.


You can probably find a Volvo guy to take it. If you offer it up for
free, someone may well get it back on the road and fix it up.

There was a guy at the last Volvo meet I went to with a real nice 960
wagon he got for free with a broken timing belt.

James Sweet wrote:
> bind wrote:
>> On Aug 24, 9:11 pm, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> masqqqq...@aol.com wrote:
>>>> 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
>>>> good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
>>>> towed in.
>>>> But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
>>>> likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
>>>> repairable? or time for a new engine?
>>>> Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
>>>> a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.
>>> Oh boy, that's gonna be a mess.
>>>
>>> Bare minimum you're looking at probably 15-20 bent valves, damaged
>>> guides in the head, dented and possibly cracked pistons. Most likely
>>> extensive damage that will require a full rebuild if the engine is even
>>> rebuildable. This is why it's REALLY important to keep up with timing
>>> belt replacements. That inline 6 is a fantastic engine, real sad way to
>>> see one go.
>>
>> the damage is extensive, pretty much like you said. Valves stuck and
>> bent, pistons holed. Didn't look any deeper.
>> The timing belt was well within it's mileage specs. Makes it all
>> even sadder.
>> On the other hand, this car has been a maintenance lemon for me
>> since I got it 4 years ago. Transmission, wiring harnesses, engine
>> electronics, anti-lock brakes, have all needed more attention than
>> they should have. It's time to let 'er go. The body is still rust
>> free, even though the paint has gone to hell, I might find somebody
>> that wants her.
>> And..............may the volvo gods forgive me...........I went
>> and bought a 1999 Outback yesterday.
>
>
> You can probably find a Volvo guy to take it. If you offer it up for
> free, someone may well get it back on the road and fix it up.
>
> There was a guy at the last Volvo meet I went to with a real nice 960
> wagon he got for free with a broken timing belt.

I have a 1990 740 with the B234F engine that has 17677 mi. on a
replacement belt.

Is there any statistical data as to how often breakage actually occurs?

I guess what I'm asking is - how often does it really happen?

Thanks,

Perk (:>)

--
Note --- My real email is perkatwavecabledotcom

Perk wrote:
> James Sweet wrote:
>> bind wrote:
>>> On Aug 24, 9:11 pm, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> masqqqq...@aol.com wrote:
>>>>> 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
>>>>> good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
>>>>> towed in.
>>>>> But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
>>>>> likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
>>>>> repairable? or time for a new engine?
>>>>> Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
>>>>> a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.
>>>> Oh boy, that's gonna be a mess.
>>>>
>>>> Bare minimum you're looking at probably 15-20 bent valves, damaged
>>>> guides in the head, dented and possibly cracked pistons. Most likely
>>>> extensive damage that will require a full rebuild if the engine is even
>>>> rebuildable. This is why it's REALLY important to keep up with timing
>>>> belt replacements. That inline 6 is a fantastic engine, real sad way to
>>>> see one go.
>>>
>>> the damage is extensive, pretty much like you said. Valves stuck and
>>> bent, pistons holed. Didn't look any deeper.
>>> The timing belt was well within it's mileage specs. Makes it all
>>> even sadder.
>>> On the other hand, this car has been a maintenance lemon for me
>>> since I got it 4 years ago. Transmission, wiring harnesses, engine
>>> electronics, anti-lock brakes, have all needed more attention than
>>> they should have. It's time to let 'er go. The body is still rust
>>> free, even though the paint has gone to hell, I might find somebody
>>> that wants her.
>>> And..............may the volvo gods forgive me...........I went
>>> and bought a 1999 Outback yesterday.
>>
>>
>> You can probably find a Volvo guy to take it. If you offer it up for
>> free, someone may well get it back on the road and fix it up.
>>
>> There was a guy at the last Volvo meet I went to with a real nice 960
>> wagon he got for free with a broken timing belt.
>
> I have a 1990 740 with the B234F engine that has 17677 mi. on a
> replacement belt.
>
> Is there any statistical data as to how often breakage actually occurs?
>
> I guess what I'm asking is - how often does it really happen?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Perk (:>)
>
The B200s are a little less stress on the cam and belt breakages are
usually down to over-doing the mileage or service periods. It doesn't
seem to be that common. They usually survive a broken belt I hear.

960s I know less about, but havn't heard of many belt failures atall atall.

--
Tony

Tony wrote:
> Perk wrote:
>> James Sweet wrote:
>>> bind wrote:
>>>> On Aug 24, 9:11 pm, James Sweet <jamesrsw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> masqqqq...@aol.com wrote:
>>>>>> 92 960, on the freeway at 65 mph, and the timing belt broke. Only
>>>>>> good thing is I was only 15 miles from home, cost 120 bucks to get it
>>>>>> towed in.
>>>>>> But...........I believe this is an interference engine? Most
>>>>>> likely trashed the engine. How extensive might the damage be?
>>>>>> repairable? or time for a new engine?
>>>>>> Maybe now is the time for one of those conversion kits to put in
>>>>>> a chevy small block and 4 speed manual.
>>>>> Oh boy, that's gonna be a mess.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bare minimum you're looking at probably 15-20 bent valves, damaged
>>>>> guides in the head, dented and possibly cracked pistons. Most likely
>>>>> extensive damage that will require a full rebuild if the engine is
>>>>> even
>>>>> rebuildable. This is why it's REALLY important to keep up with timing
>>>>> belt replacements. That inline 6 is a fantastic engine, real sad
>>>>> way to
>>>>> see one go.
>>>>
>>>> the damage is extensive, pretty much like you said. Valves stuck and
>>>> bent, pistons holed. Didn't look any deeper.
>>>> The timing belt was well within it's mileage specs. Makes it all
>>>> even sadder.
>>>> On the other hand, this car has been a maintenance lemon for me
>>>> since I got it 4 years ago. Transmission, wiring harnesses, engine
>>>> electronics, anti-lock brakes, have all needed more attention than
>>>> they should have. It's time to let 'er go. The body is still rust
>>>> free, even though the paint has gone to hell, I might find somebody
>>>> that wants her.
>>>> And..............may the volvo gods forgive me...........I went
>>>> and bought a 1999 Outback yesterday.
>>>
>>>
>>> You can probably find a Volvo guy to take it. If you offer it up for
>>> free, someone may well get it back on the road and fix it up.
>>>
>>> There was a guy at the last Volvo meet I went to with a real nice 960
>>> wagon he got for free with a broken timing belt.
>>
>> I have a 1990 740 with the B234F engine that has 17677 mi. on a
>> replacement belt.
>>
>> Is there any statistical data as to how often breakage actually occurs?
>>
>> I guess what I'm asking is - how often does it really happen?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Perk (:>)
>>
> The B200s are a little less stress on the cam and belt breakages are
> usually down to over-doing the mileage or service periods. It doesn't
> seem to be that common. They usually survive a broken belt I hear.
>
> 960s I know less about, but havn't heard of many belt failures atall atall.
>
> --
> Tony


I've seen a couple of 960s that died due to broken belts. Usually it's
the same as the 16V 4's, people run them past the change interval.

It's possible for a belt to be damaged by oil leakage, improper
installation, damaged sprockets, bad tensioner, or just a defective belt
to begin with.

Honestly I don't know why Volvo chose to go with a belt for their
interference engines, Saab used a chain, they're a lot less likely to break.