I have a 2003 Subaru Legacy Wagon with 43k miles. The timing belt/water pump have not yet been changed. Should I wait for the miles to change it or should it be changed based on the age of the car?
2003 Subaru Legacy Wagon low mileage timing belt?
- Thread starter johnnyv38
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No do it now, better safe than sorry. I think usually the interval is 7 or so years, 100k. Probably less for Subaru though.
Good advice, 7 years, 10 max, for all belts and main upper and lower radiator hoses. Do the thermostat also. See what you started...lol
Keep that water pump (if you want to go cheap) but change a belt with a tensioner...
The answer to that question depends on how much money you got and whether you're going to hire the work done or do it yourself. The other criterial would be whether the engine is an interference engine or not.
yes the engine goes boom if it goes.. and since its now 15 years old and its recommended at 105 months/105k miles IIRC.
I'd also do all the pulleys, tensioner, and water pump. the extra labor and parts are minimal..
and you dont want a pulley bearing going in 20000miles and killing the engine.
Originally Posted By: KneeGrinder
Good advice, 7 years, 10 max, for all belts and main upper and lower radiator hoses. Do the thermostat also. See what you started...lol
There are three pulleys, the tensioner, and the water pump that should ALWAYS be done when doing the timing belt. Rand is correct... you don't want a reused pulley blowing up 500 miles into your new belt and requiring a full rebuild... especially with only 43k. I would also do the thermostat and housing gasket at the same time as coolant since it couldn't be any easier (Subaru t-stat housings are on the bottom... just crack the housing bolts loose over a drain pan and you'll fully drain the system). Be sure to use the Subaru Coolant Conditioner and Subaru Green coolant is a good, safe bet. At this time in its life, new drive belts and hoses are wise too.
Nick1994
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I’d change it asap.
I agree that the belt should be changed due to age, but personally I would gamble that the rest of the components are fine up to the recommended 105K. I would check the idlers and tensioner for anything out of the ordinary and the water pump for leaks, but if it all looks/feels/sounds good I would just replace the belt. It would be a quick job and you wouldn't even have to open the cooling system to do it.
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
I agree that the belt should be changed due to age, but personally I would gamble that the rest of the components are fine up to the recommended 105K. I would check the idlers and tensioner for anything out of the ordinary and the water pump for leaks, but if it all looks/feels/sounds good I would just replace the belt. It would be a quick job and you wouldn't even have to open the cooling system to do it.
Ever try using an old rubber band? They break and are brittle. While not as severe your timing belt the same thing happens due to age.
Broken timing belts and running without coolant are about the only things that will kill an NA EJ25. Don't take a chance with such a low-mileage example. It's pennies in the long run, in cost avoidance on repairs and for piece of mind. Do these things and it will be super reliable for many, many moons to come.
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