Timing belt replacement

hello all. My 1996 850 ( non-turbo ) has 52K miles on it and I wonder how
soon I should replace the timing belt. I just have the transmission
rebuilted and I don't want any more surprised any time soon.

The manual says to replace the timing belt at 70K miles but a mechanic I
know says to replace right away because the car is over eight years old.
Should I replace it right now at 52K miles? Has anyone had any problem
with the timing belt earlier than 70K miles regardless of the age of the
car?

Any comment would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Pier

 

Do it now - saves a nasty surprise - I don't know about any specific
Volvo issues, but I've read reports recently of other cars where the
belt has failed before the recommended change interval (isolated cases
no doubt).

 

I think you should replace it. It's been 8 years; undoubtedly the rubber
has aged and cracked. Your car has an interference engine, and if the
belt should snap unexpectedly it will be expensive to fix.

 

i agree,change it now. Incidentally,does anyone know of a database
which details cars/makes/models which dont have/have interference
engines??