Hi, well I got my new tyres, F1 GSD3's thanks to you lot and having fun with them.(put the on the gold alloys :-)) Now my turbo 2000 is 4 years old this week :-( however I have only done 36,ooo miles, book says timing belt needs changing 60,000 or 4 years whichever is sooner, does it really ? I see that some guidelines say 45,000 miles is ok doesn't matter about the age ???
I have followed all the other servicing guidelines and even change the oil myself every so often in between, not bad for a girly.
Any thoughts anyone, anyone had a timing belt go ??
Thankyou, happy driving
Lizzie

 

Yes ive had a belt go. Believe me its not what you want. Bent every valve, needed new tensioners, the works, just short of a grand and that was on a Calibra Turbo, god knows what it would cost on a Subaru?? Get it changed, if youre in any doubt just change the thing! Cant really go past Revoloution in Gateshead for goood workmanship and price. Performance Cars in Shields also do a half decent job.

 

Any rough ideas on what this would cost?

200, 300 pounds?

 

nah not just for a timing belt change. A full belt change you are looking about £200. Just a timing belt £130 ish

 

My mates just had a full service - included belts and waxoyl. It cost him £370.

The garage told him he was 5K too early (his cars done a little under 40K). But he decided to bite the bullet. Better safe than sorry I s'pose.

Anyway, it was fine by me - I've just bought it off him - pick it up tomorrow

 

Best to get it changed Lizzie, some say that the engine won't get damaged if it fails but I personally would not want to risk it. Its a really destructive failure on some cars.

A Subaru belt is just over £100 I think, the Gates belt which is good quality and as good as a Subaru one is appreciably cheaper. I would advise against some of the cheap belts which are available, for as little as £30-could lead to trouble.

If you can find a non Subaru firm which does good quality work,you can save a lot on the fitting charge. Worth getting the crankshaft front oil seal done at the same time, does not cost much extra and is easy to do.

Les