timing chain replacment?

T

Torris Bin Drinken

I own a 2000 Subaru Outback Sport about 55k miles

When should I replace the timing chain on my Subaru. I had an '88 GL
and the chain broke on me 3 times so I'm leery. They told me when I
bought my '00 Outback that I could go 100k before changing it but am
wondering if I would be better off replacing it at 60k.

Any advice appreciated
Thanks




Torris
 
I ran my Y2K OB up to 110K without incident before changing the timing
belt. I was not hearing any kind of slap from the belt so I suspect I
could have went farther. I have done a tremendous amout of freeway
driving so I wasn't going to push it, especially since it is an
interference valve system.

Based on the advice from a number of people on the forum, I also had
the water pump and front seals replaced at the same time. The shop I
took it to actually had a 'package' to do all the work, so it is
probably a prudent way to do it. In Portland, OR this ran about $500.

good luck

Jack
 
I ran my Y2K OB up to 110K without incident before changing the timing
belt. I was not hearing any kind of slap from the belt so I suspect I
could have went farther. I have done a tremendous amout of freeway
driving so I wasn't going to push it, especially since it is an
interference valve system.

Based on the advice from a number of people on the forum, I also had
the water pump and front seals replaced at the same time. The shop I
took it to actually had a 'package' to do all the work, so it is
probably a prudent way to do it. In Portland, OR this ran about $500.

good luck

Jack

Jack, any chance you took it to the independent shop in Oregon City?
They do know their Subaru's and their prices are usually lower than at
the dealer even when using factory parts. Not to mention they are a
good source of used parts.

Mickey
 
Mickey wrote:(clip) I have done a tremendous amout of freeway^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I would think that freeway driving would be easier on the timing belt
than in-town, since the engine makes fewer rev's per mile, and does no
idling. Timing belts do not fail gradually like old-fashioned fan
belts, etc. You would not hear any noise, and if you were able to
inspect the belt, you would not see any wear. The timing belt on my
Outback was replaced at 112,000, and it looked like new. The mechanic
showed me several broken timing belts from his garbage, which looked
like new also, except they were broken.
 
Mickey wrote:(clip) I have done a tremendous amout of freeway
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I would think that freeway driving would be easier on the timing belt
than in-town, since the engine makes fewer rev's per mile, and does no
idling. Timing belts do not fail gradually like old-fashioned fan
belts, etc. You would not hear any noise, and if you were able to
inspect the belt, you would not see any wear. The timing belt on my
Outback was replaced at 112,000, and it looked like new. The mechanic
showed me several broken timing belts from his garbage, which looked
like new also, except they were broken.

Some people are wondering why not use a chain or gears like other
manufacturers. I recall the supposedly "maintenance-free" timing
chain was a big selling point when I visited a Saturn dealer in
the mid-90's. OTOH - that thing was poorly insulated for sound,
and at 70 MPH on the freeway the sound of the chain was pretty
loud. Then they insulated the newer models better, but they
weighed 200 lbs more which sapped a lot of the performance.

A timing chain is probably less likely to fail than a belt, and will
give ample warning that it's going to eventually break. However -
they weigh more and will make noise - especially in an overhead
valve engine. I've heard of GM or other carmakers trying to quiet
down the chain noise by going with plastic-coated gear teeth. Then
the metal chain mashing into the plastic gear teeth would cause bits
of plastic to shed, plugging up oil filters/screens. It's not as
if chains are always better than belts.
 
Timing belts are quiter, use less power,weigh less and don't need
lubrication. My Saabs howerever, were sold with the original chain
going strong at 240,000 +miles. I'll take a good roller chain anyday
and in fact Subaru's premium 6 cyc engine uses a chain. ed
 
I took it to Precision Import (maybe Precision Automotive, just don't
remembe the exact name) in Aloha. They did a good job and were about
half the price of the Subaru dealer in Beaverton. I need to also have
the rear seals replaced and will not hesitate to use them again.

That is a nice thing about Portland, there seems to be a number of
really good independent shops that work on Subies.

Jack
 
I took it to Precision Import (maybe Precision Automotive, just don't
remembe the exact name) in Aloha. They did a good job and were about
half the price of the Subaru dealer in Beaverton. I need to also have
the rear seals replaced and will not hesitate to use them again.

That is a nice thing about Portland, there seems to be a number of
really good independent shops that work on Subies.

Jack
Just to use as a yard stick, I recently had Mountain Tech in Oregon
City replace the head gaskets. They pulled the engine, resurfaced the
heads, resealed the complete engine. I had previously replaced the
timing belt and water pump so wasn't done at this time. Cost $1325

This was a lot better than the dealer quoted and they didn't mention
resealing the engine Their quote $2k.

Mickey
 

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