2000T S80 Timing Belt - can I make it fail?

Is there anyway to make my timingbelt fail? My warranty covers it if
it fails, but does not cover it even thought it is severly cracked. My
warranty is the silver package at www.driverzedgevsc.com. I called
them and said the Volvo Specialist that is looking at my 2000T S80
that I just bought 2 weeks ago has told me that there is a serious
crack in the belt and that it will cost approx 1300 to replace. Does
this sound correct? Is there a way I can make it fail without hurting
the car to save myself 1300 bucks?

 

Well, I've never owned an S80 but $1300 parts and labor sounds
excessive to me. Is this at a dealer?

As for failing that sucker, I *believe* you would be looking at a MUCH
more expensive repair given that the valves and pistons would likely
meet which ain't good. Most engines today are what is called
"interferrence engines" meaning that timing errors are catastrophic.
Further, while I haven't checked driverzedge, I suspect they would
disavow coverage of the additional damage.

Did you, perchance, take this car back to where you bought it? I smell
something a tad fishy here.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974

 

It does sound Fish'y' doesn't it. I am very frustrated. I feel like
the dealer is giving me the run around - I wanted to know if I could
reach in and manually break the timing belt. I ALSO just found out
that there is a leak in my gas tank. The check engine light has been
going on and off and the dealer said it was because I didn't screw the
gas cap on tight enough...but the volvo specialist that told me about
the timing belt is now telling me he did a smoke test and there is a
crack ABOVE the gas tank which could be VERY VERY expensive....

Is there a warranty/used car advocacy group I can get these answers
from?

 

Did you purchase this Volvo from a Volvo dealer ? or did you purchase
this from a used car dealer ? or another dealership that sells other
cars then Volvo ?
If the timing belt does break it will damage the cylinder head & the
cylinder head will have to be replaced
if you are tight on cash you can have the dealer just replace the timing
belt drive belt & the thermostat instead of performing the 110K service
Glenn K
Volvo Certified Technician
ASE Certified Technician


--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as
long as I live,
nor should any American.

 

Depending on where you bought the car there may be consumer protection
laws which cover this. I would check very quickly and make sure you have
documentation from the Volvo specialist.

 

You don't want to do that. If it fails, forced or not, then the engine
can easily self destruct.

Don't ever buy a third party service contract, you are asking for headaches.

 

If the belt fails the engine will be destroyed, there's no way around
that. Besides, it's dishonest, the 3rd party warranties are ripoffs, but
you chose to purchase one so it doesn't excuse trying to rip them off.

 

Sure, just put it in park, set the handbrake, start the engine and put
a brick on the gas pedal to keep it running wide open. You will
eventually break a belt. (and possibly the rest of the engine, but you
could then play the game of saying the broken belt also broke the
engine and possibly get a rebuilt motor.)

A drive belt is like brake pads, a clutch or any other component that
you the owner is expected to replace because they wear out. Are you
really that much of a deadbeat that you want to scam the warranty
company like this? You did agree to the terms when signed the
extended warranty.

 

Are you certain the warranty covers more than the belt? That is, if
the belt fails they'll replace the belt but will they accept liability
for other damage resulting from the belt breaking?

Be sure before you do anything else. Repairing the damage caused by
the broken belt will likely be over $4000 so be very sure.

It also occurs to me that they may have included a water pump
replacement in the job because it's a cheap part with high labor cost
just like the timing belt and they can be done simultaneously to save
you $$ in the long run.

blurp
ps. I have a Nichols labor guide which I'll check this evening to see
what the book rating on a timing belt is.