Timing belt broke w/complications... What to do?

So, my timing belt broke yesterday while I was getting myself free from sliding off the road in deep snow. Today, got the call from my mechanic that, yes, the belt broke, but there is also low compression and they feel that my best bet may be a new engine.

They are going to see if a new belt will get it to fire up, and if so, I could just leave it at that, but they said there is no telling how long it will last.

I have the 2.5i with 187k miles on it. (The original belt was replaced just before 120k).

 

So, options:

Replace motor:

2.5L Jones Motor 7 yr/100k warranty Installed $4350

2.5L Foreign Motor 50K warranty Installed $3100

2.0L Foreign Motor 50k warranty Installed $1800

 

Any other thoughts? Is it possible that the act of breaking the belt destroyed the engine? Could that damage cause low compression?? Or am I looking at compounded problems?

Thanks!

Did your mechanic to a leakdown test to see where the air was escaping? That will go a long way towards pinpointing the problem. Most likely it just bent the valves and the heads can be removed, cleaned up, and valves replaced. If they are not Subaru specialists then I would strongly recommend bringing it to one. Where are you located?

Any other thoughts? Is it possible that the act of breaking the belt destroyed the engine? Could that damage cause low compression?? Or am I looking at compounded problems?

Thanks!

 

Yes, very likely that the low compression is caused by the lack of timing belt. Without proper timing the pistons will have bumped something fierce with your intake/exhaust valves. No telling how bad the damage is without opening up the engine.

 

At that point you could make an informed call on repair or new engine. Do you know how many cylinders had low compression?

Did your mechanic to a leakdown test to see where the air was escaping? That will go a long way towards pinpointing the problem. Most likely it just bent the valves and the heads can be removed, cleaned up, and valves replaced. If they are not Subaru specialists then I would strongly recommend bringing it to one. Where are you located?

 

I am in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They are not Subie specialists. It is at a car dealership where my bro-in-law is a manager and gets me 50% off shop rates and parts at cost. They fixed my head gaskets on my Subaru Forester and did an OK job and saved me $500... May not be worth it this time around, huh?

I do have a well respected Subaru shop in town that I love (Subaru Stuff Shop) but their shop rates are twice my brother in laws... Hum...

Yes, very likely that the low compression is caused by the lack of timing belt. Without proper timing the pistons will have bumped something fierce with your intake/exhaust valves. No telling how bad the damage is without opening up the engine.

 

At that point you could make an informed call on repair or new engine. Do you know how many cylinders had low compression?

 

I'll find out more info.... Including if I can get a report of some kind.

I am in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They are not Subie specialists. It is at a car dealership where my bro-in-law is a manager and gets me 50% off shop rates and parts at cost. They fixed my head gaskets on my Subaru Forester and did an OK job and saved me $500... May not be worth it this time around, huh?

I do have a well respected Subaru shop in town that I love (Subaru Stuff Shop) but their shop rates are twice my brother in laws... Hum...

 

Well it isn't exactly rocket surgery, so there is no reason your BIL's shop can't do the work. However they might be more inclined to just replace the motor since they aren't as familiar with tearing down a 2.5L Subaru motor, and don't want to take the risk on a low-margin job. Does that make sense?

Do you still want the car after 187K?

Do you still want the car after 187K?

 

Actually, yes...! It is in great shape otherwise. But, not sure that a $4300 motor is in the cards, but if it the valves can be replaced, and the belt and associated goodies for less money, than I'd love to keep it. They are golden in this neck of the woods. So much so that our local wrecking yard never has any to part out, not even for my old 1999 Forester. They are just too popular in this area.

Can you find a used motor here? http://www.car-part.com/ Might be cheaper.

 

What do you mean by foreign?

 

What do you mean by foreign?

 

Good question!... I think the tech was telling me the first one was rebuilt in the USA and had a premium warranty and the others are imported... That was my take on it.

Do the $3100 option and call it a day. A 84K motor used for your car is around $1800 before labor.

not sure that a $4300 motor is in the cards,

 

Ha! Do you have any idea what us turbo guys pay for new motors?

 

Also, 100k mi warranty? Did I read that right? Who in the heck offers that?

Also, 100k mi warranty? Did I read that right? Who in the heck offers that?

 

people who make so much money from their engines, that they can afford to replace one here and there under warranty.

Update!

I called my local Subaru specialist (Subaru Stuff Shop - Love 'em) and talked over my options... They said it almost assuredly has bent valves as, even at idle there is movement 25 times per second (basically) and therefore most likely hit. They advised me to go with the timing belt kit with whatever valve work needed to be done... Basically, rebuild the top half of the engine... If I wanted to keep the car for a really long time, it might be worth getting the $3100 engine as they said that was a very good price. They could rebuild my engine, completely, but would be $4k.

I could have just the timing belt changed with no warranty for $450 if I wanted to just get it up and running (again, that is only IF the valves are OK).

So, now choices need to be made. $450, $1100, $3100, or new car or combo of choices. I am inclined to get the Timing Belt Kit (includes water pump and gaskets and fixing any valves) done at $1100... Oh the joys of car ownership! But, I feel that this Subie is worth fixing.

Why would you put $450 into a motor at 187k?

 

The piston hit the valve, how is there not metal in the oil?

 

Your best option is the cheapest motor rebuild you're comfortable with.

Why would you put $450 into a motor at 187k?

 

The piston hit the valve, how is there not metal in the oil?

 

Your best option is the cheapest motor rebuild you're comfortable with.

 

Yeah, I figured the $450 option is out. I was thinking they would flush the engine with the Timing Belt Kit option... I must admit though that the $3100 option is sounding good. I was incorrect on the warranty of the $3100 engine. It is 1 year, unlimited miles. The 50k thing was how old the original motor was before rebuild. The $4300 motor does indeed have a wicked warranty of 100k and 7 years though... I guess the $4300 option is to have my actual motor rebuilt. The $3100 motor is a swap out...

The piston just hit the valve and most likely just put a small dent in the piston, not a big thing. the valve may have a slight bend and keeping it from seating properly.

 

The heads need to be rebuilt at the least.

 

When the engine is out and the heads off, you'll be able to inspect the pistons and walls.

 

A new short block is $1645. if it came to that.

The piston just hit the valve and most likely just put a small dent in the piston, not a big thing. the valve may have a slight bend and keeping it from seating properly.

 

The heads need to be rebuilt at the least.

 

When the engine is out and the heads off, you'll be able to inspect the pistons and walls.

 

A new short block is $1645. if it came to that.

 

Hopefully anything that broke left via the head

Any thoughts on the rebuilt $1800 (installed) 2.0 litre engine?

 

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My 2 cents. If the engine was running great before not burning oil etc. Then have whoever you trust pull the heads inspect everything and go from there. You could have possibly damaged a piston, this you the time to rebuild or replace the engine. If all it has done is bent the valves replace whats needed (valve job etc ) new t-belt, water pump etc and keep driving it.

Hopefully anything that broke left via the head

 

 

Don't forget where the exhaust goes next...what's if there's a catless up pipe ???

 

Oh that's, right this is just a 2.5i. never mind...

Don't forget where the exhaust goes next...what's if there's a catless up pipe ???

 

Oh that's, right this is just a 2.5i. never mind...

 

I know, I know, I don't have a GT but this is the best forum for Legacy info anywhere...! :-)

 

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Any updates ?

Any updates ?

 

I am going to go for the Timing Belt Kit (water pump, gaskets, tensioners) with the associated valve work if necessary. Since I am getting labor at $40 an hour instead of $80+, I have some wiggle room if I need to build from there. I'm looking at around $1100.

In an ideal world, I would have opted for a remanufactured engine since it would also address the oil consumption problems, but I don't really have $3100 available to do it...

(Plus, my car only books for $5k to $6k in working condition).

I'll update as the results come in! Thanks for all your help!

Oil consumption, check for a bad PCV. May be for the $30.00 just throw a new one on.

 

If you plan to keep the car, think about other items like drive belts and hoses if needed.

 

Hey I replaced the radiator caps on my wagon last Fall, just because, 9 y/o.