It's not unusual for the timing belt replacement to cost 500 to 1000 dollars depending on the vehicle. Haven't owned a volvo, so don't know how easy it is to get to the belt. The cost is in labor. The belt is usually under 50 bucks. Did you ask the dealer how much they would charge?

Why not ask them? They'd know for sure.

It is a 2.5 hour job, plus parts.

The estimator below says $300-$600 in my area, depending on shop labor rate, cost of the parts, and whether it is the turbo version or not (turbo adds about $100.) Additional parts, like water pump and tensioner, are extra. You can put your own zip code in the estimator for a better estimate.

Gates belts says neither engine is interference, so it should not be damaged if the belt breaks. But you will be late to wherever you were going and would have a tow charge, and would be without the car for a while when you didn't expect it.

Ask whoever is going to do it what the cost is. If you don't do it and the belt breaks, the car will be totalled.

T/belts should be replaced at set intervals according to the manual. Mileage or number of years whichever comes first is important, dont you have a record of last change? If you dont pay up and get it done.

It's a 2005 Volvo S40 with 170k miles. The dealer told me its starting to go out and would need to be replaced. I've already replaced the catalytic converter and something else for 1000 bucks.