[raven_850]

I replaced the PCV system this past Saturday (99F/Very Sunny). EGR disconnect and reconnect was the biggest headache of the job. Should I wait until the fall to change the TB? The weather is almost unbearable... Which is the more difficult job?

[Gilhuly]

For me the PCV was a lot more labor intensive and the execution is trickier in terms of # of fasteners, locations and technique. Timing belt is more fundamental and "just don't screw up the one big thing, the cam gear positions"

[erikv11]

yep, timing belt was easier and faster. I went slowly so as to not screw it up, took probably 2.5 hours including plenty of down time. Timing belt is about 1/6 the amount of fasteners and parts of the PCV job. Just read up with the guide here and Haynes, get started by casually taking it apart Friday night, then easily before noon Saturday it will be done perfectly. As mentioned don't let the cam gears rotate but also be patient with the torx nut on the pulley, if you strip it you are toast.

[Modus]

Take your time compressing the tensioner.

[RZT5]

Modus, on 29 June 2009 - 11:05 PM, said:

Take your time compressing the tensioner.

this is important, and do it very fluidly. dont "turn, let sit, turn, let sit" etc, just turn it consistently and very very slowly

[erikv11]

But if this is the second belt change, i.e. if the tensioner is original, then don't worry about how you compress the tensioner because you should be replacing it with a new OEM (Aisin) unit.

[7 VII 7]

ugh, I think the timing belt is worse. If you are doing the tensioners and pulleys it is worse. Getting EVERYTHING lined up correctly is a pain... take your time and you should be fine.

OH and make sure you get all the gasket off the water pump if you do the water pump.. nothing is worse than having a leak and doing it over again

[lcc014]

I would pick the PVC to be easier than timing belt. At least, you would not damage the engine if something not right with the cam lineup. Also, need to remove the pulley to route the new belt, tough job without impact wrench.

For PCV job, impact wrench is not needed and just take your time to unscrew all the screws. Then everything should be fine.

Ching-Ho Cheng

[Falcone]

PVC for me is more of a pita. Not loosing those manifold bolts is a task for me. Also not pinching the line between the block and the mani, and making sure the gasket is properly seated sucks. That being said, there is one pulley that is hard to get at, and getting the water pump seated on the gasket properly is also suckey. The belts are super easy.



Mike

[mikus]

i haven't done the Volvo TB yet but even then I'd rather do a PCV. I thought the PCV was quite easy honestly, a bit tedious but easy work.

[bergmjs]

You dont need to remove any pulleys to get the new belt on. I got it on with all the pulleys exactly where they are, the guide on Bay 13 describes exactly how to do it without removing a pulley. It takes a while but it fits.

[lcc014]

bergmjs, on 30 June 2009 - 03:17 PM, said:

You dont need to remove any pulleys to get the new belt on. I got it on with all the pulleys exactly where they are, the guide on Bay 13 describes exactly how to do it without removing a pulley. It takes a while but it fits.

I saw posts in the forum regarding the TB replacement, the crankcase pulley would have to come off because there is a cover under that pulley. This makes the new belt going in with difficulty. That pulley is difficult to remove with a impact wrench !! Also, timing mark is very difficult to see on the cams.

Bay13 did not mention how to line up the timing mark before or after the new belt is on. Do we need to hand turn these cam gears to line up the mark or else ?

These are the concerns that I have such that I still don't have the gut to do the TB change. If I mess up the timing mark, engine will be damage !!

Ching-Ho Cheng

[a2matt]

TB is easier, but scarier since the stakes are higher.

lcc014, on 30 June 2009 - 03:31 PM, said:

I saw posts in the forum regarding the TB replacement, the crankcase pulley would have to come off because there is a cover under that pulley. This makes the new belt going in with difficulty. That pulley is difficult to remove with a impact wrench !!

Hard to get belt off (so cut it). Not so hard to get belt back on.

[quote]
Also, timing mark is very difficult to see on the cams.
[\quote]
Paint them with white-out / correction fluid to see them better. Measure the distance between the marks before you start and write it down. You could use a cam-locking tool, but that'd be cheating.

[quote]
Bay13 did not mention how to line up the timing mark before or after the new belt is on. Do we need to hand turn these cam gears to line up the mark or else ?
[\quote]
Line up marks before taking off the old belt.

[shepworldwide]

after doing both in the past week (rpl head gasket) i would say the TB is a way eaiser job and alot less work than rpl PCV
sure the stakes are higher but if you take your time it's not that bad.
i swear i could do a TB in an hour now

[7 VII 7]

shepworldwide, on 01 July 2009 - 01:15 PM, said:

after doing both in the past week (rpl head gasket) i would say the TB is a way eaiser job and alot less work than rpl PCV
sure the stakes are higher but if you take your time it's not that bad.
i swear i could do a TB in an hour now

How bad was it to do and how long did it take for you to do your headgasket?

[bergmjs]

lcc014, on 30 June 2009 - 02:31 PM, said:

I saw posts in the forum regarding the TB replacement, the crankcase pulley would have to come off because there is a cover under that pulley. This makes the new belt going in with difficulty. That pulley is difficult to remove with a impact wrench !! Also, timing mark is very difficult to see on the cams.

Bay13 did not mention how to line up the timing mark before or after the new belt is on. Do we need to hand turn these cam gears to line up the mark or else ?

These are the concerns that I have such that I still don't have the gut to do the TB change. If I mess up the timing mark, engine will be damage !!

Ching-Ho Cheng

Bay13 described how you use a socket on the crank gear to turn the engine over until all the marks line up. The lines should line up with the notches on the timing belt cover. The only difficult part of getting the new belt on is getting past the retaining notch behind the serpentine crank pulley (Bay13 says how to do it) and then keeping the marks all lined up when you pull the belt over the cams.


Youre looking at this right?
http://volvospeed.co.../timingbelt.php

[DonutsDemise]

They are both pretty easy and if you do the timing belt job methodically and count teeth and line everything up right before you start then it's a cinch. The PCV is definitely a dirtier job and may take a little longer.

[lcc014]

DonutsDemise, on 01 July 2009 - 04:34 PM, said:

They are both pretty easy and if you do the timing belt job methodically and count teeth and line everything up right before you start then it's a cinch. The PCV is definitely a dirtier job and may take a little longer.

I have never done any TB job before, so this is very challenge to me. If I miss 1 or 2 teeth, then the whole engine will be toasted !!!

Ching-Ho Cheng

[DonutsDemise]

lcc014, on 01 July 2009 - 04:37 PM, said:

I have never done any TB job before, so this is very challenge to me. If I miss 1 or 2 teeth, then the whole engine will be toasted !!!

Ching-Ho Cheng

just line up everything to the timing markings with the crank at top dead center, and for added measure i marked the cam sprockets and the timing belt with a sharpie and counted teeth between the markings. make sure everything is the same when you put it back together. the engine won't be toast if it's off by a tooth it just won't run well and you'll get a check engine light probably.

[lcc014]

If anyone will change the TB soon, can he/she post the "lineup" timing mark procedure (pictures) ? This will increase the confident factor in those members who have never done a TB change before. Bay13 only have limited pictures and steps. I am looking for more detail steps/pictures. If possible, vidoe please !!

Ching-Ho Cheng