Hi,We have a '97 Outback Legacy, with about 90K miles on it. So far it's beenfine, and the only major repair was that the last time we took it in, theyhad to replace some gasket (between the engine and transmission, I think).Awhile ago, at about 48K miles, we had a bad water pump, and got it fixedunder warranty (we had the 6yr/60K drive train warranty), and I wassurprised that the dealer suggested that they go ahead and replace thetiming belt. I guess this was because they'd have to pull the water pumpanyway. They also did this under warranty.Anyway, now that we have about 50K on the current timing belt, I'm wonderingif we should replace the timing belt the next time we take it in forservice?Obviously, this time, it'd be out-of-warranty, but I had an experience withanother car (not a Subaru) where the belt broke, and it was a major repair,so I'm trying to be a little conservative here...What do you all think? Am I being over-cautious? I have the impressionthat timing belts generally last about 60K miles...Also, can give me a guesstimate about how much it'd cost to get the timingbelt replaced? I'd like to get this done at our dealer, and we're in theWashington, DC metro/Northern VA area....Thanks in advance!!

I don't get it. Why would you replace it at only half of itsrated life ?Besides, if your 97 Legacy OB is anything like mine, the frontcam and/or crank seals will start leaking like crazy prettysoon, and you can have them and the timing belt done in onefell swoop when that happens.John

Time to change Timing belt?

Feb 05, 2004 22 Replies

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Jim Stewart 22 years ago

Yes, same thing.

Same as mine.

Most definitely interference. Just as the Owners Manual is explicit about inspect/replace intervals, the genuine Suburu maintainance manual is explict about the interference issue and precautions that have to be taken when changing the belt.

44.5k seems early for a timing belt replacement. On the other hand, if while they had it apart they noticed some damage because of the failed water pump, replacement would have been appropriate (and arguably warranty-covered).

As for now, yes, start the 30/60/90/150 cycle at 44.5

I don't know what a separater plate is. There is an issue with the oil pump o-ring and it's on something like a plate, but you only need to replace the 0-ring.

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Carl 1 Lucky Texan 22 years ago

Yes, sorry for the confusion of lumping both issues together, actually the Toy problem is a better illustration of the risk of not changing the ancillary stuff when changing the belt. I DID NOT have internal parts damaged, but, about 3k after a new belt was installed, the tensioner (idler?) bearing failed and burned through the new belt in about 1/4 mile, on the freeway, halfway between D/FW and an event my daughter and I were going to in Austin. MOST inconvenient, so, not so 'catastrophic' but still early and unexpected!

The Honda was a '78 Civic sedan (cheapest new vehicle sold in America that year and my first new car) and when it went, number 2 cylinder,piston and exhaust valve recycled themselves back into ore.

sorry

Carl

1 Lucky Texan

tomcas wrote:

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GTT 22 years ago

Try reading the book, yourself. Opinions are sometimes worth the price you pay for them, but not always. The response of 105K matches my recollections of when I read my manual just after buying the car, but read the book yourself!

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