timing belt interval on 98 Impreza ?

[John Eyles]

I am trying to help a friend decide if she should
replace the timing belt on a '98 Impreza (2.2L)
with 70K miles.

My understanding has always been that the interval
is 60K miles for the 2.2L engines. The online
maintenance schedule (at www.subaru.com) says it
should be 60K for "Federal Specfication Vehicles",
but 105K for "California Specification Vehicles".
The vehicle was purchased in North Carolina, so I'd
assume the "Federal" applies. But WHAT on earth
would be the reason California vehicles have the
same 105K interval for both 2.2L and 2.5L engines,
while Federal vehicles have 60K and 105K respectively ?

Meanwhile, two different North Carolina dealers have
told her that the interval is 105K miles, and they're
presumably aware it's the 2.2L engine. And of course
they'd tend to want her to think it's 60K anyhow.

I'm very confused.

Thanks, John

P.S. But I presume the 2.2L engine is non-interference
for both Federal and California, so at least major
engine damage is not a worry, right ?

 

[Edward Hayes]

Go to www.subaru.com with the VIN number and year/model to get the correct
answer. Eddie