Removal (5-Cylinder)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 15 other vehicles, including the 1998 Volvo V90, 1998 Volvo S90, 1997 Volvo V90, 1997 Volvo S90, and 1997 Volvo 960. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove spark plug cover and 2 fuel line clips. Lift out expansion tank and place on top of engine. Remove front timing belt cover. Remove auxiliary (serpentine) drive belt.
Remove right front wheel, and release wheel arch liner to gain access to vibration damper. Remove vibration damper guard. Turn crankshaft clockwise until all timing marks are aligned. See Figure.
Check hydraulic tensioner condition (this is done by checking timing belt tension). Wait 5 minutes after aligning timing belt marks and check timing belt hydraulic tensioner condition using Belt Tension Gauge (998-8500). See Fig 1. Read belt tension gauge using mirror. Specification for 21 mm wide timing belt tension is 3.5-4.6 units. Specification for 23 mm wide timing belts should be 2.5-4.0 units. If timing belt tension is not within specification, hydraulic tensioner must be replaced.

Fig 1: Checking Hydraulic Timing Belt Tensioner (By Checking Timing Belt Tension)
Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA.
Remove tensioner upper mounting bolt, and loosen tensioner lower bolt. Twist tensioner to free pulley. Remove lower bolt, tensioner, and upper timing belt cover. If reusing old timing belt, mark belt with arrow to indicate rotation direction. Remove timing belt.