AQ171 Timing belt problems

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fripsy

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Hi,<br /><br />I'm having a lot problems with my 2 AQ171 engines. Two years ago the timing belt on both engines lost some teeth a few weeks apart. The result was 1 piston and 22 valves down the drain.<br />I repaired that myself and now I find myself in the same situation again with 1 motor, I suspect the other will follow shortly...<br />Does someone know what is causing this?<br />The guy at the shop suggested a leak at the rawwater pumps, which was the case 2 years ago, but since then I closely wath these pumps and change all the seals every year, the belt is dry now.<br />Could it have something to do with the belt tensioner?<br /><br />I'm totally in the dark about this one and I don't trust those engines anymore...<br /><br />Thanks for your input.
 
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akriverrat

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

you need a manual. volvo has a schedule for careing for the belt and if you don't follow it bad things will happen. haven't had a volvo since 1986 so don't remember the details.
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Hi sealine, the 171 engine was never used in a Volvo car, you must get a marine manual, the timing belt fitting (and tensioning) for the twin cam is unique to the aq171. The seloc or clymer cover the aq171 but the genuine manual has much more detail. Raw water pump leaks are the main cause of timing belt failure, pulleys rust and idler bearings begin to sieze. <br /><br />Aldo
 
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fripsy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Thanks guys.<br /><br />I just have ordered the manual, it will take minimum 2 weeks to get here, probably more...<br />There goes the entire holiday plannning...<br /><br />Snif, snif... :( <br /><br />Frank
 
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fripsy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Oops... <br /><br />After reading your answers again, I didn't order the right book (Clymer), gonna cancel it. The genuine Volvo manual apparantly is hard to find..<br /><br />I'll keep looking..<br /><br />Frank
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

I like the genuine better but the clymer is adequate, got an e-mail address?<br /><br />Aldo
 
Dunaruna

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Frank, I hate to see a grown man cry :D <br /><br />You got mail.<br /><br />Aldo
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

I've just noticed your location, French Italian border?<br /><br />Aldo
 
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fripsy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Yep, Cannes, south of France.<br />A beautiful to take the boat out... with paddles this summer...<br /><br />Thanks for your prompt reply, Aldo.<br /><br />Frank
 
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fripsy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Hi guys,<br /><br />I'll share the verdict with you:<br />- the tension belt has lost 12 teeth, all others are cracked<br />- all 8 exit valves are bend<br />- the tensioner has little play<br /><br />Meanwhile some friends at Volvo are looking into the problem and more specific the cause.<br />According to the people at Volvo it could be due to vibrations of the cams, wich could be resolved by installing cam dampers. I don't have the full detail yet, but if anyone is interested I will post all details here as soon as I got them.<br />Still according to Volvo the tension belt will give up within 100 hours. My motors did 78 hours after the previous belt problems.<br /><br />Frank
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Frank, as I previously said, the clymer will be adequate but if you still want a genuine manual call your local VP dealer or try here:<br /><br /> http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/volvo/ <br /><br />Please keep us posted of your findings. Thanks.<br /><br />Aldo
 
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Ed Polguy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Your scaring me Frank, I have over 100 hrs. on<br />both both engines( aq717a's) since the belts were replaced, I have also had problems with leaky raw water pumps. I have the clymer book, its kind of vague.<br /> Thanks Aldo , for the info on the volvo manuals.<br /> the next boats gonna have mercruiser on it!!<br /> Ed.
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

A lot of people here may disagree but VP make a quality product, any brand will fail with incorrect or lack of maintanence.<br /><br />Aldo
 
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fripsy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Despite the problems I have, I agree with Aldo.<br /><br />I just had a call from my friend at Volvo, vibrating cams is most likely NOT the cause, it was an issue they had on the 6 cylinder.<br />It is however VERY IMPORTANT to change the tensioner and belt together (wich I didn't do cause the local VP-shop-guy said that wasn't important).<br />However, at Volvo, they are still looking for other reasons.<br /><br />I'll keep you guys posted.<br /><br />Frank.
 
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kayakndave

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Hi All.....Sealine285 I'd be very interested to find out, what you find out. I just had some seals replaced on my outdrive (VP 290 SP) and was asking the mechanic about my engine (AQ171C). He advised me on this very thing! Told me that if the belt breaks under power, with those DOHC's, you might as well replace the engine!! Mine looks fine now, and the engine runs great, but I sure would want to avoid this one! Any idea how much the belt and (especially) the tensioner cost? To replace at every 100 hours....That could break the bank for me, as I use my boat a lot!! Thanks for any info/advice!
 
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fripsy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

I will keep you guys informed through this forum.<br />As for the price of the tensioner and the belt, that depends on the region you live in: normal list price for genuine Volvo Penta parts: tensioner 150$-200$, belt 70$-100$.<br />I live in the south of France and the tensioner here is almost 280$, the belt 200$.<br />But there are replacements, I've read about a tensioner from a VW Golf II Gti and the belt from an Opel Ascona Diesel before 1979. I'm not sure about these replacements as I noticed that the tensioner from the Golf isn't as large as the original Volvo. One guy said to use a belt from Gates model T139, but that belt has 139 teeth and my guess is that the belt isn't long anough.<br />Up til now I'm not sure of those replacements, and without a partnumber it's impossible in my region to get my hands on those parts or even get some info over them, all the garages I went to don't have any "real" mechanic anymore, they need make, model, year, chassisnumber, ... from the car, there was 1 who didn't even know the difference between a timing belt and the belt used for the alternator...<br /><br />Ok, enough complaining, as soon as I have some more news I will post it all here.<br /><br />Meanwhile, if someone could post the partnumbers for the replacement belt and tensioner, that would superrrrrr...<br /><br />Frank
 
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Ed Polguy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Try DougRussell.com. They have all the schematics for the aq 171 on their web site, w/ parts# and prices.<br /> Ed
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Frank, the 171 engine is a rare beast these days, I doubt you'll find what you are looking for online. You will need to contact a VP marine dealer, not Volvo auto. After your last post (Incompetent mechanics) I suspect a timing belt from a Volvo car has been used, they are different, the AQ171 is is a unique marine 2.5L although they look similar to the B5254F & B5252F. <br /><br />The closest dealer to you is: AMC Rapid Marine, 5, Rue Brouchier 06150, Cannes La Bocca. +33 (0) 493471132. Alternatively, you have access to the home of VP, Sweden. Maybe you can start exporting parts to the U.S :D <br /><br />And yes, a timing belt failure on a 171 will cause catastrophic damage.<br /><br />Aldo<br /><br />Edit: I have also heard the rumor about the T139 belt but I I've never tried it or compared. It could be a costly mistake if its different.
 
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fripsy

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Re: AQ171 Timing belt problems

Had an answer from the Volvo guys yesterday.<br /><br />There are 2 reasons for the belt to lose his teeth:<br />1. Bad tensioner: if the tensioner does not turn very smoothly, it will wear out the belt very quickly.<br />2. Corroded pulley<br /><br />The tensioner is definitely the cause, it is not turning smoothly.<br /><br />As for the replacement parts: today I found the perfect match for the genuine Volvo belt, the only difference is the price: Volvo 185EUR, replacement 43EUR...<br />I ordered 2 of them, they will arrive on Tuesday. As for the tensioner, the local part shop will contact the manufacturer on Monday, I will know the result Tuesday also.<br /><br />So, to summarise it all:<br /><br />Keep a close watch on the pulleys:<br />- If the rawwaterpump is leaking, water is thrown on the belt and pulleys, wich will lead to corrosion.<br />- A bad waterpump/alternator-belt can cause a lot of dust.<br />If you change the timing belt, ALWAYS change the tensioner.<br /><br />The exact partnumbers for the replacement belt and tensioner, I will post on Tuesday.<br /><br />Thanks everyone for helping!<br /><br />Frank.
 
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