Timing belt, head gasket DIY???

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Dave Edwards - 11 Jan 2008 13:18 GMT

With some time and skill, can either/both of these be done by the Volvo
owner?
I don't have any specific Volvo 'specialty' tools, but I have every wrench
possible, air tools, several torque wrenches etc.

I've replace a complete Chevy short block in my day....so the idea of R&R is
not new to me....but if I need engine computers and special pullers or
whatever....forget it!

Anyone "been there, done that"?

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c.fiedler@sbcglobal.net - 11 Jan 2008 13:22 GMT

>With some time and skill, can either/both of these be done by the Volvo
>owner?
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>Anyone "been there, done that"?

Dave, when I was younger and more agile and adventurous, I did both
these tasks on a 240. If your head gasket is leaking, be sure to have
the head milled to be sure it is flat.

Vovlo says to not reuse the head bolts but I did and it worked fine.
Be sure to follow the tightening sequence which you will find in any
repair manual worth its salt.

When doing the timing belt, be sure to follow the alignment
instructions. Again see your repair manual.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974

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Mr. V - 11 Jan 2008 15:45 GMT

I have done them quite a few times, and I am not a professional
mechanic.

The tasks will take some time, and I wouldn't want to do them this
time of year without a garage or other suitable place to do the work.

Of course, I have done the work on a 244 or a 740, and you have a S80,
which is a different design, so I cannot speak specifically about that
model.

Before doing the work, find a repair manual specific to your
application, read the relevant sections, and satisfy yourself that you
won't be over your head.

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Dave Edwards - 11 Jan 2008 19:36 GMT

Well, this work is on a V40....and I have a garage to work in. Problem I am
realizing is that it seems there are no repair manuals for the 2001
V40....or a 2001 S80 for that matter!
At least my local place looked it up in their magic computer and told me
that none were available.
Perhaps I'll try a PEP boys, or something like that. They seem to have a
larger stock of repair manuals.

...Dave

>I have done them quite a few times, and I am not a professional
> mechanic.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> application, read the relevant sections, and satisfy yourself that you
> won't be over your head.

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Niels Bengaard - 11 Jan 2008 20:35 GMT

> Well, this work is on a V40....and I have a garage to work in. Problem I
> am realizing is that it seems there are no repair manuals for the 2001
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> ...Dave

S80
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Petrol-Diesel-Service-Repair-Manual/dp/1844252639/ref=pd
_bbs_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200083617&sr=8-4

S40 / V40
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Volvo-S40-V40-Petrol-1996-2004/dp/1844250768/ref=pd_bbs_
sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200083617&sr=8-5

Took me one minute to find.

Greetings Niels

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Dave Edwards - 11 Jan 2008 22:35 GMT

That's odd....Here is the same company's reply to me. I guess they are not
available in the states (stores)
...Dave

Dear Sir:

Sorry, the manual you are requesting has not been published by Haynes for
your vehicle. Contact Faxon Auto Literature at 1-800-458-2734 or Bisko
Automotive Books at 1-800-544-3312.

Thank you for your interest in Haynes Automotive/Motorcycle Manuals.

Sincerely,

Technical Research

>> Well, this work is on a V40....and I have a garage to work in. Problem I
>> am realizing is that it seems there are no repair manuals for the 2001
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Greetings Niels

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Niels Bengaard - 12 Jan 2008 08:33 GMT

Just order online on the internet then.

Greetings Niels

> That's odd....Here is the same company's reply to me. I guess they are not
> available in the states (stores)
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>>
>> Greetings Niels

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Dave Edwards - 12 Jan 2008 13:53 GMT

Do you think UK instead of US makes any changes other than port vs starboard
of the stearing/breaking/throttle etc components??
....Dave

> Just order online on the internet then.
>
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>>>
>>> Greetings Niels

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Niels Bengaard - 12 Jan 2008 20:06 GMT

Not on the types of job you will do.
Sometimes the engine electronic control system is a bit different because of
different laws, but the mechanical parts are the same.

Greetings Niels

> Do you think UK instead of US makes any changes other than port vs
> starboard of the stearing/breaking/throttle etc components??
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>>>>
>>>> Greetings Niels

Reply to this Message

Dave Edwards - 12 Jan 2008 22:08 GMT

Thanks very much Niels....I'll order this weekend!
...Dave

> Not on the types of job you will do.
> Sometimes the engine electronic control system is a bit different because
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>>>>>
>>>>> Greetings Niels

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Niels Bengaard - 13 Jan 2008 09:49 GMT

Another option is to buy the Volvo Vadis DVD´s on Ebay. Thats Volvos own
workshop manual with all the information you may need.

Greetings Niels

> Thanks very much Niels....I'll order this weekend!
> ...Dave
[quoted text clipped - 47 lines]
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Greetings Niels

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James Sweet - 12 Jan 2008 01:18 GMT

> With some time and skill, can either/both of these be done by the Volvo
> owner?
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Anyone "been there, done that"?

The RWD 4 cylinder cars are the easiest head gaskets I've ever done. I can't
speak for the FWD stuff as I've never worked on it.

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Roadie - 13 Jan 2008 20:23 GMT

> With some time and skill, can either/both of these be done by the Volvo
> owner?

Yes.

> I don't have any specific Volvo 'specialty' tools, but I have every wrench
> possible, air tools, several torque wrenches etc.

OK, no problem.

> I've replace a complete Chevy short block in my day....so the idea of R&R is
> not new to me....but if I need engine computers and special pullers or
> whatever....forget it!
>
> Anyone "been there, done that"?

Reply to this Message

z - 14 Jan 2008 22:17 GMT

> With some time and skill, can either/both of these be done by the Volvo
> owner?
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Anyone "been there, done that"?

Seems the most "special" tool you would need would be the setup to
adjust the valves, assuming this bus has the same setup as the 240,
with shims, etc.

Depending on the state of the head/valves, and the need to make sure
the gasket didn't blow because the head is warped, and how long term
your intentions are towards this car, you may want to just swap the
old head for a rebuild.

Other than that, the main critical thing is to torque the head down to
spec correctly.

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