2000 Volvo S40 Timing belt and CAM gear leak

CZARINA8662

MEMBER
2000 VOLVO S40
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

I have a 2000 Volvo S40 with 80K miles. I was told I have a small leak at variable cam gear-need to replace gear, seals, timing belt and tensioners. Also need to replace rear brake pads and rotors.
One place quoted me between $700-$800 for the timing belt work.
Other places I called gave me between $700 and $900.
One place gave me a quote of $550 and said that the other places are charging for replacing a gear that does not need to be replaced. So I don't know what to believe!

Also with the rotors for the brakes--2 places said they would resurface the rotors. But the others said resurfacing is bad and they will always just replace the rotors.
Again, I don't know what to believe.

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi czarina8662,

Thank you for the donation.

I would agree that the cam gear need not be replaced. Replacing the oil seal would stop the leaks, unless the camshaft oil seal seat is bad, then you would either need to repair the camshaft or replace it. This is seldom the cause.

Rotors can be refaced only up to a certain limit and if there are excessive wear, replacement would be the better option. Measurements would have to be carried out to determine if the rotors can be refaced.