Timing Belt replacement

I am nearing 90k and I am probably going to order a new timing belt ... what else do I need to order to have it changed out? Can I get by just with a new timing belt itself??? I am going to drop my car off at a local Suby Tuner shop to have it replaced.

 

thanks!

have you had the v-belts replaced yet?

Yeah I had those replaced a while ago, like at 60k miles or so .. they were getting really bad!

I'm doing mine now at 90k. not sure if I'm doing the timing belt or not.

Ah, does anyone have an answer though? Is the timing belt the only thing that will need to be replaced? Are there other parts that I need to order?

Many replace the water pump, t stat and seals. However, I am a believer that it does offer a piece of mind, but not needed. I see very very few failed/leaking water pumps on Subaru's. If you have the coin, and want to replace it, then do so.

I guess I was curious about the tensioner thing ... if I needed to have that replaced or if the existing thing can be used (I think it can)

It can, but that also falls under the replace it if you want.

ok thanks!

The tensioner is about a $150 piece (at least it is for our '02 NA Outback). I have had to replace 3 of them in 89,000 miles (the first two were under warranty).

How do you know if your timing belt needs replacement. I know they just break and cause damage. Any warning?

Subaru recommends 105,000 miles. Anything after that you are on borrowed time so to say. Not really a warning, but you will know when it lets go. Now timing belt tensioner's and idlers can give you a warning.

No warnings whatsoever, they just pop and goodbye engine valves. In fact a couple of people I know reported how nicely their engine was running the few thousand miles before their belts snapped.

 

Subaru repeat after me "Timing chains are good things, timing chains are good things..."

Are these engines contact or non- contact engines?

Let's put things into perspective here, how many instances of broken cam belts have been recorded ?

I guess I was curious about the tensioner thing ... if I needed to have that replaced or if the existing thing can be used (I think it can)

 

If the shop you're taking it to knows what they're doing with the tensioner, it may not be an issue. But, if they just take it off, and/or don't compress it correctly, then you'll need to replace it. This is a great link if you haven't found it already. See Page 22 and 23 about the tensioner cautions and specific directions for R&Ring it.

 

http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/StepEWAug07.pdf

SBT

Yeh, ok.. how many of our cars are at that age where neglect would have caused it to break

 

I meant prematurely

 

If you don't change it at the recommended interval, then it breaks, there's only one person to blame