# Timing Chain

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** xc90, volvo\
**Created:** [June 5, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763 "2013-06-05T21:16:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![macbeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@macbeth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/macbeth)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763/1 "2013-06-05T21:16:03Z")

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I recently read Tom & Ray’s comments on what to expect on price and maintenance when a timing chain is replaced. My mechanic suggests we change out ours on our 2004 Volvo even though my wife has only 74,500 miles on the car. His logic is the age of the car raises the risk of failure prior to the recommended 90,000 miles. Do you agree that we should do this now?

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**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763/2 "2013-06-05T21:23:07Z")

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Does it have a chain or belt? Chains usually don’t need to be replaced - belts do.  
If the service booklet says 90K, go with that. I think most Volvos are 100K but potato/potatoe.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763/3 "2013-06-05T21:36:05Z")

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Does the manual also list a time limit? I’d follow both, so if it’s, say, 8 years, then it’s time for a replacement belt.

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763/4 "2013-06-05T23:14:16Z")

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Mechanic is telling tales that he made up. If he thinks a chain is the same as a belt then you should know fear, be very aware of fear. That was Mr. Spock’s way of saying to be afraid, be very afraid. He never said that, so you don’t have to break out the DVD collection.

He probably thinks a Haynes manual directed Michael Jordan to go around ripping labels off underwear. Or I’m crazy. You decide.

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**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763/5 "2013-06-10T21:54:28Z")

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Not knowing model or engine does not help. I looked up S40 L4-1.9L Turbo and it has a belt. Owner’s Manual will tell you for sure.

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**Author:** ![Hokiedad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/439d5e/32.png) [@Hokiedad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hokiedad)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763/6 "2013-06-11T03:21:20Z")

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Someone is behind on their boat payments, I think.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-chain/79763/7 "2013-06-11T03:23:49Z")

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What model and which engine do you have?