Timing belt replacement at 60K service?

[batvanio]

Hi,

I just scheduled a 60 K miles service on my Outback 2001 2.5 L and
they recommended that the timing belt should be replaced? Is this
normal? The owners manual says it has to be replaced at 105 K miles.
On the other hand, including the replacement, their price is only a
$150 more than another dealership 60K service without timing belt
replacement. However, in my opinion it is not necessary.
I would greatly appreciate your input.

Ivan

 

[Jim Stewart]

Hi,

I just scheduled a 60 K miles service on my Outback 2001 2.5 L and
they recommended that the timing belt should be replaced? Is this
normal? The owners manual says it has to be replaced at 105 K miles.
On the other hand, including the replacement, their price is only a
$150 more than another dealership 60K service without timing belt
replacement. However, in my opinion it is not necessary.
I would greatly appreciate your input.

I certainly wouldn't change the timing
belt at 60k. But then I wouldn't pay
a dealer to do a 60k service either.

 

[Todd H.]

Hi,

I just scheduled a 60 K miles service on my Outback 2001 2.5 L and
they recommended that the timing belt should be replaced? Is this
normal? The owners manual says it has to be replaced at 105 K miles.
On the other hand, including the replacement, their price is only a
$150 more than another dealership 60K service without timing belt
replacement. However, in my opinion it is not necessary.
I would greatly appreciate your input.

Your decision should be determined by the answer to one question:
What does the timing belt look like? Any signs of cracks or
wear?

Given that 6 years have passed since your car was new, I'm gonna guess
that it's not gonna look so hot and you will want a new one.

You are correct that the maintenance interval for it is 105k. Timing
belt inspections are however mandated at intervals before that,
including 60k.

If inspection supports the need to replace the timing belt, it's a
good time to toss in a new water pump. They should only hit you for
the cost of the water pump since they've got it torn down to that
point anyway.

 

[AS]

I replaced a 2001 timing belt at 60k and felt i was wasting my money,
the timing belt was perfectly good, but, once i had disassembled I
decided to go ahead with the change.

If in your situation, I would wait for the 100k mark

 

[M.J.]

Hi,

I just scheduled a 60 K miles service on my Outback 2001 2.5 L and
they recommended that the timing belt should be replaced? Is this
normal? The owners manual says it has to be replaced at 105 K miles.
On the other hand, including the replacement, their price is only a
$150 more than another dealership 60K service without timing belt
replacement. However, in my opinion it is not necessary.
I would greatly appreciate your input.

I think the dealer might be a little bit greedy and quick
to take your money. You may also be tempted by same
greed to wait until 105k.

To find middle ground it would be sensible to wait a bit
perhaps untill 80k and then changie it. There is no savings
on labor replacing it now right, apart from the seemingly
good price of only 150$ more than a regular 60k service
some other dealer.

Tough decision.

Why don't you tell us how much are they quoting you,
cause I think the total price may be a tie breaker.

If it is reasonable ON ITS OWN and you don't plan on
getting rid of the car you may do it now- have peace
of mind, reduce risk, and not trouble yourself with this
in the future (replacing the pump at the same time is
a good idea).

M.J.

 

[M.J.]

Hi,

I just scheduled a 60 K miles service on my Outback 2001 2.5 L and
they recommended that the timing belt should be replaced? Is this
normal? The owners manual says it has to be replaced at 105 K miles.
On the other hand, including the replacement, their price is only a
$150 more than another dealership 60K service without timing belt
replacement. However, in my opinion it is not necessary.
I would greatly appreciate your input.

I think the dealer might be a little bit greedy and quick
to take your money. You may also be tempted by same
greed to wait until 105k.[/QUOTE]

Forgot to add, the car and belt will be old when at
105k. That is why I said _greed_ in spite of the fact
that 105k is scheduled maintenance interval. I think
if you read carefully somewhere in the maintenance
booklet there is a time interval on timing belt replacement.
If I am correct it is six years. I may be mistaken, and
it may be 10yrs. Try to find this info, it'll help you decide.

Good luck,
M.J.

 

[M.J.]

I think the dealer might be a little bit greedy and quick
to take your money. You may also be tempted by same
greed to wait until 105k.

Forgot to add, the car and belt will be old when at
105k. That is why I said _greed_ in spite of the fact
that 105k is scheduled maintenance interval. I think
if you read carefully somewhere in the maintenance
booklet there is a time interval on timing belt replacement.
If I am correct it is six years. I may be mistaken, and
it may be 10yrs. Try to find this info, it'll help you decide.[/QUOTE]


I got it, its 105 months, almost nine years.

http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/index.jsp?navid=SCHEDULE_2001

M.J.

 

[batvanio]

Forgot to add, the car and belt will be old when at
105k. That is why I said _greed_ in spite of the fact
that 105k is scheduled maintenance interval. I think
if you read carefully somewhere in the maintenance
booklet there is a time interval on timing belt replacement.
If I am correct it is six years. I may be mistaken, and
it may be 10yrs. Try to find this info, it'll help you decide.

Good luck,
M.J.







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Thanks to everyone for the replies,

One of the dealers is asking for $639 for a 60K service (without the
belt replacement)
The other is asking for $799 with the belt replacement.
I am not sure how much it is if I don't go to a dealer but just to a
regular car place - probably cheaper (significantly) but I am not sure
what risks are involved and what parts would be used - I would assume
they would use Subaru parts, ?

Ivan

 

[batvanio]

I got it, its 105 months, almost nine years.

http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/index.jsp?navid=SCHEDULE_2001

M.J.




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Hi All,

Thanks for the input. I thought I posted this reply before but somehow
it did not show up, so I am re-sending.
Basically, the one dealership asks for $639 for a 60K service without
a timing belt replacement.
The other one asks for $799 with a timing belt replacement.
I have not asked other places (not dealerships) but I suspect they
will be cheaper. However, I am not sure what risks are involved if I
don't go to a Subaru dealership (probably no risks, but never done
this before). Not sure if parts replaced will be original, etc...

Thanks again,

Ivan

 

[M.J.]

One of the dealers is asking for $639 for a 60K service (without the
belt replacement)
The other is asking for $799 with the belt replacement.
I am not sure how much it is if I don't go to a dealer but just to a
regular car place - probably cheaper (significantly) but I am not sure
what risks are involved and what parts would be used - I would assume
they would use Subaru parts, ?

Replacing the air filter and fuel filter is very easy, you can do it
yourself even if you are marginally mechanically inclined.
Same goes for oil and oil filter. Changing brake fluid,
(transmission fluid change is not part of 60k maintenance)
coolant, plus spark plugs can all be done much cheaper at
a regular mechanic. Try finding one that specializes in Subarus.
Not many parts involved.

There is no right or wrong answer, it all depends on your
preferences and pocketbook.

$799 with timing belt change, is not extreme,by dealer standards.

Is the dealer trustworthy in your opinion. There are people who
in a similar situation will try to scham you. You have 60k miles
6 yrs, while the belt is good for 105k 9 yrs, you may be cheated
if the dealer is unscroupulus, this is particularly likely if you look,
sound or are foreign.

Many thing to consider.

M.J.

 

[John Rethorst]

I certainly wouldn't change the timing
belt at 60k. But then I wouldn't pay
a dealer to do a 60k service either.

What would you do? (I have 59,500 on my 2001 OBW).

 

[Jim Stewart]

What would you do? (I have 59,500 on my 2001 OBW).

Do all the items that I can, myself. Then
take it to an independent shop for the rest.

 

[alf]

Hi,

I just scheduled a 60 K miles service on my Outback 2001 2.5 L and
they recommended that the timing belt should be replaced? Is this
normal? The owners manual says it has to be replaced at 105 K miles.
On the other hand, including the replacement, their price is only a
$150 more than another dealership 60K service without timing belt
replacement. However, in my opinion it is not necessary.
I would greatly appreciate your input.

Ivan

I changes the timing belt at 105K miles and after inspection there is no
single trace of wear. For my next Subie I will probably postpone it to
120K. Similarly, the changes water pump looked just perfect.

 

[Todd H.]

Thanks for the input. I thought I posted this reply before but somehow
it did not show up, so I am re-sending.
Basically, the one dealership asks for $639 for a 60K service without
a timing belt replacement.
The other one asks for $799 with a timing belt replacement.

For what it's worth, I paid a 3rd party shop who did mine at 102k
$102.48 for the timing belt part alone.

I have not asked other places (not dealerships) but I suspect they
will be cheaper.

Not necessarily, in my recent experience. Labor rate may or may not
be cheaper depending on what the shop commands, and they may upcharge
you on the OEM part they need to get. I'm not sure if there is an
aftermarket belt available.

I think I'd lean toward delaership #1 who intends on doing the factory
recommended maintenance and away from dealership #2 who seems intent
on replacing the belt sight unseen, and in excess of the mtc
schedule. But for shits and giggles, ask dealership #1 how much the
belt would add to the bill if their inspection turns up an issue.

 

[lkreh]

This would seem to be a lot of wasted money...changing the belt 45,000
miles BEFORE its service interval? Plus, for the sake of comparison,
my Subaru dealer changed the timing belt in our OBW for about $379.
And my dealer is in Chicagoland which is probably more expensive than
most.