Forester timing belts

[WhiteD3]

Now I know there's a few Forester owners out there, used as second or maybe first cars.

Q: I've got a MY02 Forester just over 6 yo with 54k on it. Dealer says I need to spend big bucks to change the timing belt as it's > 5yo.

Thoughts, enlightenment, etc welcome:D

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Thought.


I hope your Forester lasts as long as my Brumby:cool:

[feraldisco]

that depends whether the motor is a 'free-spinner' or an 'interference' type (i.e. pistons will hit valves if the timing belt breaks requiring some expensive work). If it's a free-spinner and you don't get anywhere remote, then it's probably worth the risk as the worst you'll be faced with is a tow somewhere to get the belt replaced. The issue of age is legit - mate of mine had a timing belt in a 7-year-old Astra let go despite under 60K k on the clock - the result was $3K worth of repairs...

[Pedro_The_Swift]

was the Astra a Premium runner??
:)


oops sorry WhiteD3...

[p38arover]

Hmm, I'd like to know, too. Our daughter is driving our 2005 Forester. It has about 40,000km on the clock.

[Blknight.aus]

Im seconding the freespinner thing, if its got the non interference engine run it till it pops and then tow it to get it fixed, if its the interference job change every 3 years or (and I might be wrong with this I wasnt paying all that much attention to the conversation) 100,000Km. whichever comes first.

I know a guy at work who drives one with the noninterferance engine who thinks that just cause I happen to have a landy and a heap of recovery gear in the car that Im going to come get him when it lets go.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The real answer is, was there a a recall on that model for the belt?
were there known belt problems?

"I would think" you should get around 80K on the original if there are no known probs,,,





It still could be the the replacement of a belt on a Forester is expensive:angel:

[BigJon]

It takes about an hour to change a Forester timing belt (I used to work at a Dealer). They are dead easy to do. The engines are an interference design and the WILL bend valves if the belt fails. The repair cost after that will easily reach $3000 plus... Don't take a chance, get the belt replaced!!

[procrastination inc]

major service at 200,000 on our '02 forester included timing belt, cranks shaft pulley and every tensioner and idler, plugs and all fluids (did NOT check valve clearance...) $1800 :o

[p38arover]

The last service on our 2005 (37,500km) cost about $800. The 25K was about $750.

That's why I can't afford a D3!

[PSI250]

timing belt on subarus is 4 years or 100,000km whatever comes first. changes slightly with 07 onwards. not that hard to do, belt should be 150 or so genuine + 2 hours labour for dealer to fit. Have seen the results of snapped/stripped belts, its not good.

can be done without special tools yourself if you know roughly what your doing.


The last service on our 2005 (37,500km) cost about $800. The 25K was about $750.

That's why I can't afford a D3!

DANG! drive down to vic and get it serviced, it'll be cheaper including petrol money!! unless you got any extra work done thats waaayyy to much!

[feraldisco]

was the Astra a Premium runner??
:)


oops sorry WhiteD3...


yes, but I'm not sure how this would affect the timing belt... I think if any rubber belt goes through enough combinations of heating/cooling/tension/flexing (i.e. km) combined with sitting around for long enough enough in various temperatures (i.e. age), it's going to break...hence the importance of not just focusing on kays... Having said that, my mate wasn't exactly a 'gentle' driver (I think he had to try to reinstate some sense of masculinity by flogging his white Astra to within an inch of its life) so that may have contributed...

[p38arover]

DANG! drive down to vic and get it serviced, it'll be cheaper including petrol money!! unless you got any extra work done thats waaayyy to much!

That was serviced by the dealer - so was I by the sound of it. :(

[abaddonxi]

Had the timing belt done on our '98 Outback a couple of weeks ago at 205,000Km, cost $700. Mechanic said if all well at 100KKm you can get away with just belt, but at 200K expect to do everything and maybe water pump. Ours is the 2.5l - ej25 - I think, quad cam or something, and exxy if it lets go.

If you want a cheer up, call the local Subaru dealer and ask what their price is.

Cheers
Simon

[WhiteD3]

timing belt on subarus is 4 years or 100,000km whatever comes first. changes slightly with 07 onwards. not that hard to do, belt should be 150 or so genuine + 2 hours labour for dealer to fit. Have seen the results of snapped/stripped belts, its not good.

Thanks Mate. They wanted $800 at the last service just for the belt change:eek: Think I'll shop around.;)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

yes, but I'm not sure how this would affect the timing belt... ...

The need for premium indicates a higher compression, therefore a closer working relationship between the valves and piston.