100K maintenance - Timing belt necessary?

[EnforcerPSU]

Honest question.

The dealer is trying to sell me on the standard 100K maintenance which includes a timing belt change. It costs approx $450 dollars for my 2005 WRX, just for the timing belt.


Is this a smart thing to do or is the dealership just trying to sell me something I don't need? Just need to know so I can make an educated decision.

Thanks!

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[sorrowfulkiller]

tell them to go **** themselves and see what other people will charge you

[rkramer]

are you asking if you need the timing belt, or if that charge is normal. yes you need it, if you break the timing belt you buy a new engine. (recommended interval is 105k miles) The price is high but not actually too bad for a dealership charge. There is a fair amount of work involved with the timing belt. You might be able to find it $100 or $150 lower if you shop around, but it won't be drastically cheaper.

[jaxscuby]

well is "insurance".
if a indepent shop did the work, would there be any warranty?
also timing belt install requires subaru specific tools.

450 is alot cheaper than 3000 for motor.

[rkramer]

I don't know how well subaru belts go over mileage, but I've had previous (non-interference!) engines that would reliably break the timing belt within 1000 to 2000 miles of the interval! Kind of scary how accurate it was actually.

[Rexwagon03]

Originally Posted by rkramer

I don't know how well subaru belts go over mileage, but I've had previous (non-interference!) engines that would reliably break the timing belt within 1000 to 2000 miles of the interval! Kind of scary how accurate it was actually.

You prolly owned a dsm

[Strider327]

I would just buy the parts from the dealer and go elsewhere to get it changed, or do it myself. Just to let you know though, it is a pain to get to. You gotta remove the timing belt cover a lot of other things. Good Luck, whichever choice you choose.

[PolarisSnT]

Originally Posted by jaxscuby

well is "insurance".
if a indepent shop did the work, would there be any warranty?
also timing belt install requires subaru specific tools.

450 is alot cheaper than 3000 for motor.

Find a Subaru specific shop, heck even make the drive to Precision Tuning in NJ. There are no 'Subaru specific' tools needed, just basic stuff to get the job done. $450 for just the belt may not be so bad but how much are they going to charge you for the water pump, t-stat, gaskets, etc?

[awd-turbo]

i need to do mine...how hard is it to do urself on this car?? the diy looked pretty simple.. i know u need to do belt and water pump and water pump gasket.. anything else need ot be done

[sorrowfulkiller]

get an sti timing belt... it may last longer overall

[rkramer]

Originally Posted by Rexwagon03

You prolly owned a dsm

ford actually

[DirtstyleWRX]

For reference, the timing belt and tensioner alone are around $210 on subarugenuineparts.com.

[rexman2002]

Originally Posted by rkramer

ford actually

no surprise here.

[Yakshii]

is there any signs at all to be seen when to change the timing belt
im not sure if the last owner did it on time. i have high mileage

[hybrid gti 2]

I had the belt done else where with a PE belt. Yet I would get the official subaru list.

[EnforcerPSU]

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to shop around for a couple weeks and see what I can find.

[leecea]

Originally Posted by Yakshii

is there any signs at all to be seen when to change the timing belt
im not sure if the last owner did it on time. i have high mileage

In my opinion, it will be very hard (or maybe impossible) to tell if it has been changed, and there are no warning signs to let you know it's about to break.

[strohausii]

Well, afterall it is a belt; although, a toothed "precision" belt. If the timing belt cover is removed, you could inspect it for the classic rubber belt signs of impending failure as in cracks in the rubber. IMHO, considering the price you will pay if that belt breaks, the risk of just ignoring it is just too high.
Chances are good that if replaced by the dealer, they will check out the idlers and determine if they need replacing too.

[Mike Wevrick]

Originally Posted by EnforcerPSU

Honest question.

The dealer is trying to sell me on the standard 100K maintenance which includes a timing belt change. It costs approx $450 dollars for my 2005 WRX, just for the timing belt.


Is this a smart thing to do or is the dealership just trying to sell me something I don't need? Just need to know so I can make an educated decision.

Thanks!

There is no "standard 100K maintenance." Minor service intervals are every 15k, major service intervals are every 30k. You should be following what it says in your owners manual, not what the dealer tries to sell you. That said, IIRC the timing belt should be done every 105k so yes it is about due.

[wrxwhite]

Also you may want to think about replacing the water pump. It's driven by the timing belt and unless replaced previously, the bearings and seals in it have 100k on them.

[RoadTrippin]

Better safe than sorry. I would consider getting the water pump done while you are at it since it is in that area.

I just had mine done last week. Had the belt, water pump, oil pump, tensioner and one idler replaced as the bearings in the tensioner and idler were going and the water pump and oil pump was leaking. All in all spent a fair amount but am glad it is taken care of....peace of mind is cheaper than a new engine.

[Bishop]

you might as well change the t-stat as well.