Timing belt or chain?

[David Bowen]

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

 

[Mickey]

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

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

Mickey

 

[Rat]

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

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

 

[Jim Stewart]

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

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.

 

[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.

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.

 

[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.

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

 

[John A. Mason]

I am by no means a master mechanic or even a trained mechanic but I can

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

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

 

[Rick Courtright]

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

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

 

[Jim Stewart]

Jim Stewart wrote:




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.

Exactly.