Any Subaru owners?

[EE_Bota]

Apparently there are timing belt kits online. Many of these come with all needed components. If I find an independent Subaru mechanic that suits me, I will let them do the work, if not, I will do it myself.

If you are not bad out of the time window, you could go for the mileage window, but all in all, time and mileage have an effect on the belt, so it doesn't pay to play around.

 

[JB4310]

Apparently there are timing belt kits online. Many of these come with all needed components. If I find an independent Subaru mechanic that suits me, I will let them do the work, if not, I will do it myself.

If you are not bad out of the time window, you could go for the mileage window, but all in all, time and mileage have an effect on the belt, so it doesn't pay to play around.

Actually saw in another maintenance schedule 105K or 105 months, that's almost 9 years. Dealer said 7,
Interestingly I got a carfax for this car out of curiosity after I bought it and it shows dealer performed services, just says performed scheduled maintenance but if it was there at the 7 year mark, maybe the dealer did the work, I'll have to call them.

I'm gonna pull that smaller cover off the driver side and take a look, see if the timing belt looks original. This engine is definitely the Single overhead cam, but there is some confusion if all 2.5 Subaru engines are interference type or just the DOHC. If the SOHC was not interference and would not do damage if the belt broke I wouldn't worry about it.

This car drives like it's on a rail, I was trying to get it to break loose on wet pavement yesterday, cornering pretty aggressively and it stuck tight, must be the AWD?

JB.

 

[RoyJackson]

This car drives like it's on a rail, I was trying to get it to break loose on wet pavement yesterday, cornering pretty aggressively and it stuck tight, must be the AWD?

JB.

Yep...it's great, isn't it?
As long as you have decent tread on the tires, that Forester will really stick (as does our Outback).

 

[techwrtr2]

allowable limits for oil consumption can be 1 qt in 3000 miles. I have seen some do this.

My 02 WRX wagon uses a quart in a little over 3k miles. Has since I bought it at 35.5k.

It now has 214k on the clock.

Original brakes lasted me to 100k. I did them when I had the timing belt replaced the first time. I really should just buy OEM brakes rather than aftermarket as they've not lasted nearly as long. I've replaced timing belts twice now. Done service every 30k miles. New brakes several times, see previous comment. I replaced the accessory belts a year ago, just in time. Oops. Struts at 130k. I may need to consider them again soon but my job is now different and I don't drive nearly as much so that might be a while. I just had the clutch done a few months ago, lasted me to just over 210k miles. I had to have the turbo up pipe replaced at the last timing belt change, it cracked. I gather it's a common problem at the flex joint. No other major repairs.

Car averages 27mpg doing 99% interstate travel if I maintain 65mph. I've had averages in the low 30's when my speed averages about 55mph over the tank. I put winter tires on it each year and have found it to be the best car I've ever driven in snow. Given a choice, I will take my WRX over my Jeep in bad weather. Only advantage to the Jeep is larger tires and modestly greater ground clearance. One thing my WRX has that many other cars don't is a limited slip in the rear. I'm sure that enhances it some.

It's very likely that when I finally decide to replace this car that it will be another Subaru. Either another WRX 5door, maybe a Legacy though I've considered a Forester XT. Time and money will decide.

 

[SPYDERLK]

This car drives like it's on a rail, I was trying to get it to break loose on wet pavement yesterday, cornering pretty aggressively and it stuck tight, must be the AWD?
JB.

Yes, Subarus behave very well cornering and slide predictably at the limit. Very little tendency to switch ends in a slide. I think it is chassis tuning and weight distribution rather than 4wd. My 4wd Subaru behaves well but cannot rival the handling of my former 2wd at the limits. This is especially noticeable on gravel and snow. The 4wd fronts and backs fight each other enuf to cause some sliding. The 4wd is comparatively very loose on slippery surfaces. A disappointment. OH well.
larry

 

[JB4310]

Yes, Subarus behave very well cornering and slide predictably at the limit. Very little tendency to switch ends in a slide. I think it is chassis tuning and weight distribution rather than 4wd. My 4wd Subaru behaves well but cannot rival the handling of my former 2wd at the limits. This is especially noticeable on gravel and snow. The 4wd fronts and backs fight each other enuf to cause some sliding. The 4wd is comparatively very loose on slippery surfaces. A disappointment. OH well.
larry

Funny you mention tuning and weight, when I was creeping around underneath I saw a small block of steel stuck up underneath, near the front of the fuel tank, in a spot I couldn't figure out what it might be for. the only thing I could think of was some type of ballast???

As far as it sliding a little in 4x4, should be good for me. I was worried that since there was no way to lock out 4x4 I couldn't slide around in the snow like a juvenile, the way I do in every other vehicle I've ever owned with rear wheel drive :laughing:

JB.

 

[techwrtr2]

Not sure how well it works in "normal" Subarus, but my WRX will pull some awesome power slides and cool donuts. You can flick the rear around in snow with a bit of throttle.

And of course it's unstoppable in snow. Or well it sure seems like it.

 

[Redneck in training]

Not sure how well it works in "normal" Subarus, but my WRX will pull some awesome power slides and cool donuts. You can flick the rear around in snow with a bit of throttle.

And of course it's unstoppable in snow. Or well it sure seems like it.

What he forgot to tell you is that WRX has powerfull turbocharged engine in the smallest Subaru Impreza. I bet it is fun.

 

[techwrtr2]

What he forgot to tell you is that WRX has powerfull turbocharged engine in the smallest Subaru Impreza. I bet it is fun.

It is a fun little car. And being a wagon has utility. For 5+ years I beat the tar out of it as a field service car for my old tech job. Just had to keep my parts packed tightly.

 

[JB4310]

It is a fun little car. And being a wagon has utility. For 5+ years I beat the tar out of it as a field service car for my old tech job. Just had to keep my parts packed tightly.

Yeah, I've been enjoying this car. you can lug it around like a little old lady or drive it hard like a rally car. Can't wait til it snows!

I did the timing belt today, well I should say I started it cause I didn't have all the parts to finish it. I didn't start til late in the day, at first I was just gonna look at it, so I took the small cover off. didn't look to bad but definitely not new so I know it's 10+ years old.

Then I just said the heck with it I'm gonna do this, watched a bunch of tutorials on YouTube so I knew what to look for. It was really pretty simple. 3 small size wrenches and sockets and a breaker bar and larger socket for the main crank pulley.

The tensioner did not look to healthy so I got a new one and just figured might as well get all three idlers. At 76,000 I'm not gonna do the seals and water pump. $350 in parts (genuine Subaru) so not to bad. still have to pick up one idler in the morning. I think I got all the marks right, it's like painting by numbers
Just hope it all comes out right.

The ten year old belt looked pretty good with no cracking at all, so maybe it could of went the 30,000 more miles to get to 105K. but it was bothering me thinking about it being past due to change due to it's age.

JB