Timing belt or chain?

Am considering purchasing a 3-5 year old Forester. Does Subaru use a timing belt or chain in their engine? If a belt, how difficult is it to replace?

Thanks in advance

Reply to
David Bowen
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At least the late model 4's use a belt and the 6's us a chain or so I've been told.

Mickey

Reply to
Mickey

Belts are easy to change on just about every subaru. The 2.5L is simple.

Reply to
Rat

Well, simple is a relative term (: I have friends that couldn't be trusted to remove the oil drain plug from their car.

It took me the better part of 2 weekends the first time. It will take me the better part of a day the second time and I'm not a slouch around tools. I did do the water pump, thermostat, the tensioner, all the oil seals, the oil pump leak fix, the plugs and the belts. All things you'll want to change as well

If you are good with tools and your hands and can follow the service manual exactly, you can do it.

If you've never worked on a car, take it in.

The downside is that you can totally ruin the engine if you get it wrong. The upside is that you can do it for about 1/3 the cost and learn a alot about your car.

Reply to
Jim Stewart

I am by no means a master mechanic or even a trained mechanic but I can do the timing belts on an svx in under 2 hours. The front end of that motor is almost identical to the 2.5. I took me about 3 hours doing it the first time.

Throw in the water pump, idlers, oil pump, and seals and yes that will add significant time to it.

Reply to
Rat

I had to pull both the fans and the radiator to make room and I had to fabricate a tool to hold the crank pulley while I loosened the crank pulley bolt. Add in draining, refilling and purging air from the cooling system and I don't see how I could have done it in less than about 6 hours.

Besides, I'm 53 years old and my body doesn't move as fast under cars as it used to (:

Reply to
Jim Stewart

I agree with the 6 hour figure... my experience is nearer yours than Rat's. John

Reply to
John A. Mason

Hi,

I haven't timed the last coupla times I've done mine, but I DO allow a day in case something goes wrong... and since I've got ya by a year, I don't hurry things under the car like I used to, either! Of course, I probably would work faster if I were still getting paid for it, too! Or had the patience to REDO something I screwed up in haste.

Rick

Reply to
Rick Courtright

Exactly.

Reply to
Jim Stewart

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