Early timing belt replacement?

Hey all,

Mrs. Spif's 05 LGT has an airbag recall that we just got the mailer for. I am thinking about having the timing belt done while it's in the dealership. Her car only has 60k miles but the belt is 11 years old. I haven't gotten a chance to pull a cover yet to inspect the belt but I'm wondering if the timing belt interval is based solely on miles or if age is a factor as well?

Thanks,

Mike

yeah, these items are mileage OR time replacement items. I recommend the OEM water pump, the gates kit parts are starting to fail more often these days (this thread for more info: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/gates-timing-belt-kits-no-longer-oem-like-251587.html).

I tend to do preventative maintenance early and often and get lots of mileage out of my cars because of this with no major engine work. (I've owned multiple 300k+ subies, currently 130k on my spec B)

Yes its an age thing in your case. They generally say 10 years.

Get a price before you commit, any local repair shop can do the same timing belt job for less money.

i miss having conversations about my GT

last i heard she's doing fine in Florida.

Definitely change it. The timing belt's material can deteriorate over time without even being used, similar to the way tires can dry rot and still have plenty of tread left. It may keep going for a few more years, but it's not worth taking the chance.

+1 on getting a price quote first

105k miles

http://people.csail.mit.edu/ilh/vacation/

Make sure if you do it, you replace the tentioner and pulleys and maybe water pump (probably still ok since it only had 60k in 10 years) and maybe the front crankshaft seal. If any of those things go bad you need to do the timing belt again. I have done mine 2 times now once around 45 or 50k miles because the belt was worn because of a bad tentioner (only belt and tentioner). Then again around 110k to replace the water pump (leaking), tentioner, pulleys, belt, front crankshaft seal as preventative maintenence and because i didnt want to do it again until engine blows or 200-210k which ever came first. I used a gates kit as referenced above but knock on wood hasnt failed yet, it also contained parts that looked oem with same color ntn bearings.

To check the belt condition there are 4 10mm bolts under the cover infront of the oil filler cap.

One thing to note about the dealer, for that price, they might just do the belt and tensioner.

I had subaru replace my timing belt at around 100k, and they only did the belt and tensioner, and water pump because i asked. I think it was around $11xx out the door for that.

My idlers did end up being fine until i changed them out at 195k, but still, just something to keep in mind. If you have the dealer add on the idlers, you're probably up around $1400ish

I called Subaru and they quoted me around $1,000 for all new parts and the labor. Gonna call an independent shop and see how they compare on the price. I've helped on friends cars when they did timing belts but it was such a pain in the ass job that I think I'd rather pay someone to do it. Still need to find the that banjo bolt and throw away the screen.

There are threads about doing the timing belt and removing the front banjo filter, in the DIY/walkthrough forum.

I think you'll find the inde shop is cheaper. Just good in most cases. Your in NJ, how far are you from www.AZPinstalls.com, if you can that's who you want to work with. Tell Mike or Rey I sent you.

I'm south of Philly, 10 miles from the bridge into Delaware. 1.5 hours away from the town AZpinstals is in.

I asked the dealer how much for all the parts so the $1000 is including the idlers too. Inderpendent shop quoted me $800 with all the pieces replaced. I'm not sure saving $200 is worth having to take the car to 2 different shops at different times.

Thanks for the insights guys.

Holy crap I must doing something wrong when they can charge that much for a timing belt.... I need to start doing subaru timing belts for people

doesn't seem that crazy to me? my local dealership quoted $1000 for a timing belt service and I don't believe that included the water pump or thermostat.... Any independent shop is likely to charge around $300 on labor, plus parts. Lets say you source the OEM parts yourself or the timing service and get the best deals you can find online (I've done the math recently) that's around $550 if you include the water pump and thermostat... so, plan on spending around $850 for everything. No, I won't consider a gates kit because the last gates kit I bought only lasted 32k miles before the water pump failed and a couple idlers felt more worn than 32k should...

Just want to say, don't get hung up on the OEM parts. All inde shops will use what they have learned works and is cheaper unless its a chassis part that is not made in the aftermarket yet.

I used a Dayco timing belt kit back in 08 when I did the timing belt in my 2005.

I'm south of Philly, 10 miles from the bridge into Delaware. 1.5 hours away from the town AZpinstals is in.

 

I asked the dealer how much for all the parts so the $1000 is including the idlers too. Inderpendent shop quoted me $800 with all the pieces replaced. I'm not sure saving $200 is worth having to take the car to 2 different shops at different times.

 

Thanks for the insights guys.

Normally people say stay away from dealers, given location I'd be comfortable with Cherry Hill if that's who you are leaning towards.

Just went through this on my 2006 Outback XT. It's 130 months old with just under 62k miles, so I decided to replace the belt due to age. I did the job myself - turns out the original Subaru belt looked brand new, the rollers all seemed fine as did the tensioner. I did hear an intermittent squeak from the front of the engine that went away after I replaced the belt, tensioner, and all pulleys/rollers. I did not replace the water pump. A local Subaru mechanic told me that the belts rarely fail - it's the lower toothed pulley or the tensioner that will often be the issue.

I strongly advise NOT to use the Gates kit. The tensioner in mine seems to be defective (I have a separate thread going on that).

Just went through this on my 2006 Outback XT. It's 130 months old with just under 62k miles, so I decided to replace the belt due to age. I did the job myself - turns out the original Subaru belt looked brand new, the rollers all seemed fine as did the tensioner. I did hear an intermittent squeak from the front of the engine that went away after I replaced the belt, tensioner, and all pulleys/rollers. I did not replace the water pump. A local Subaru mechanic told me that the belts rarely fail - it's the lower toothed pulley or the tensioner that will often be the issue.

 

I strongly advise NOT to use the Gates kit. The tensioner in mine seems to be defective (I have a separate thread going on that).

Funny, I was told today that it was the belt that fails and everything else probably won't need to be replaced. Can't keep this info straight!

Looking for a shop to do this same job, I'm located in South NJ as well. I would not recommend the Cherry Hill dealership, they gave me my car back with loose lug nuts and a seat half bolted in among other headaches.

Their quality must have declined since my Legacy died years ago for the 1st time. I literally would come from VA to get stuff fixed as the Springfield dealer was horrible and any other one near it. Being stationed at JB MDL at the time, it was a needed trip that way anyways with Mt Laurel hotel selection.