I have a 93 Volvo 850 that blew a timing belt. The shop says its going to be $5000 to look at it. Worth it?

Answer 1

the price you were quoted is insane, yes it is an interference motor, this means that at full open the valves are lower than the highest point the piston travels, so when your timing belt breaks, the piston hits the open valves bending them. The repair for this job is to remove the head replace the bent valves and replace the timing belt. At the volvo delaership I worked as a tech for 8 years this was around $1500.00 broken down as 10 hours labor at $90.00/hr machine shop work of around $200.00 and $2-400.00 in parts. To avoid this in the future follow the replacement interval closely on your timing belt. 93 model year was 30k miles I believe, all following year 850s were 70k

Answer 2

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RE:
I have a 93 Volvo 850 that blew a timing belt. The shop says its going to be $5000 to look at it. Worth it?

Answer 3

Great question, and one that I have been faced with myself.
Unless you have reason to not trust this mechanic, I would get a second opinion and quote, as $5,000 does seem a bit high.

Regardless, a "blown" timing belt would indeed cause some serious and obvious problems that would make the car undrivable and cost some big bucks to fix.

$5,000 dollars in no small amount, and it is likely the same as what the car would be worth in good condition.

Is it worth it? Your question boils down to asking yourself - should I invest this money into my car and keep it for another few years? Or do I want to spend at least $5k on a newer used car which has unknown issues that would in the future require unknown amounts of cash to fix. It depends on your desire for a new car and your financial resources.

You might be better off in the long run investing the money in the 850 if you like the car, know that the rest of the car is in great shape, and you're confident that this old Volvo will last as long as they're reputed to - as long as they are maintained.

Regarding a new car; it is nice to have piece of mind when you have a brand new car that if anything breaks, it's all covered. However, compared to a relatively small investment of $5k to the initial outlay and monthly payments on a new car, keeping the Volvo will probably be worthwhile and the best decision financially.

Let us know what what you decide. Good luck!

Answer 4

Volvo Timing Belt

Answer 5

No way the car is done a 93 850 first year 850 and the engine is 93 only 5254s,the damage is extensive enough to replace the engine when this happens,valves bent,piston damage possible.
just sell it for salvage...sorry to say
22 yrs volvo tech
good luck

Answer 6

First where did that est come from.If it came from the Volvo dealer if sounds like you could have some bent valves.If that est came from just a auto repair shop,then I would call the dealer and check there.Did you purchase a extended warranty when you bought the car,if so call them it may be a covered item.

Yes the car is worth repairing it or trade it in on a newer Volvo at the Volvo dealer.They will give you the most in a trade in on a newer one.

Answer 7

a coworker just purchased a 94 850 with a blown engine for 300 dollars and an engine from an Internet junk yard [with warranty] for 250 and 200 shipping the car is immaculate now in every way all prices are east coast these engines REQUIRE special tools and procedures to change out a cyl head it is much cheaper to change out the engine for a documented guaranteed used one. just be sure to install new t/belt ,water pump,tensioner and idler pulleys and new gas [hand grenade] tensioner and all seals [note rear crank seal is a difficult install without.Volvo special tool or universal seal driver of exact size. don't forget a new crankcase vent flame trap if the car is in good overall shape it is well worth repairing ,the 5 grand estimate is way out of line but you should plan on a grand for parts and about the same for labor

Answer 8

Get a few more opinions. Five grand is a lot of money to put into a car. A new engine and transmission should be about that much. What are they doing? Working from the point furthest from the problem at 90 dollars an hour?

Answer 9

If they are going to charge $5000. they better be re-building the engine. When the timing belt went it obviously did some damage to the heads. DOHC 5 cylinder engines have valve interference. It isn't worth fixing. you're throwing your money away. The car itself is worth maybe $4,000.00 when running properly. Save your money for another car and remember to have the timing belt checked every 50,000 miles (80,000km)

Answer 10

take it to 2 more shops. Get a few quotes that is definitely not a good price. If you can't get a better price is time to get a new Volvo. (If your in Maryland check out European Imports in Bethesda they are very good and have normal rates)

I hate to say this but take a tall man with you so they don't take advantage of you. Mechanics are notorious for taking advantage of the ladies.