Timing Belt Failure

[jhood422]

I recently got stranded due to a timing belt failure. I had my car towed to a sleazy mechanic who informed me that I had an interference engine and it was shot and I needed to replace my whole engine. I know for a fact he didn't check the valves, so how would he know this?

I was sure that my '94 SVX was a non interference engine, but I called Subaru who told me "It DEFINITELY was an interference engine."

Has anyone had experience with a timing belt failure? Do I really need to replace my engine?

My course of action is to replace the timing belt and hope for the best

[Blacky]

It is not an interference engine. You could just replace the belt but most people replace the pulleys, seals, water pump etc. while it's apart.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by Blacky

It is not an interference engine. You could just replace the belt but most people replace the pulleys, seals, water pump etc. while it's apart.

+1
There are kits on ebay for the t-belt, idlers and tensioners for about $170. Don't get the ones with the water pump included though. There have been problems with those. Get a water pump, thermostat and appropriate gaskets from the dealership.
Also, if your engine leaks some oil, it might be a good idea to replace all of the front oil seals since you'll have everything apart that needs to come apart for that job.

[SoCal LS-L]

Wow, even the Subaru dealership told you it was interference??

The ignorance and subsequent bad information some folks give regarding our cars is staggering

A new timing belt and properly aligned cams will make your car run just like before. Depending on how much you want to drop into the car, you can just do the belt.... but if you plan on keeping it id do as suggested and get the waterpump done along with the new belt, and new idler pulleys.

The stealership charges an arm and a leg for the waterpump, but I can safely recommend A1 Cardone as it has lasted me 14,000 miles so far with no problems for around $50, as compared to what Subaru quoted me about $280.

[NeedForSpeed]

Originally Posted by jhood422

I recently got stranded due to a timing belt failure. I had my car towed to a sleazy mechanic who informed me that I had an interference engine and it was shot and I needed to replace my whole engine. I know for a fact he didn't check the valves, so how would he know this?

I was sure that my '94 SVX was a non interference engine, but I called Subaru who told me "It DEFINITELY was an interference engine."

Has anyone had experience with a timing belt failure? Do I really need to replace my engine?

My course of action is to replace the timing belt and hope for the best

How many miles on that belt?

[jhood422]

Honestly, I'm not sure how many miles were on the belt. I bought it used and it has 149,000 now. I'm assuming they changed the timing belt once or never.

[SilverSpear]

Originally Posted by jhood422

I recently got stranded due to a timing belt failure. I had my car towed to a sleazy mechanic who informed me that I had an interference engine and it was shot and I needed to replace my whole engine. I know for a fact he didn't check the valves, so how would he know this?

I was sure that my '94 SVX was a non interference engine, but I called Subaru who told me "It DEFINITELY was an interference engine."

Has anyone had experience with a timing belt failure? Do I really need to replace my engine?

My course of action is to replace the timing belt and hope for the best

Originally Posted by SoCal LS-L

Wow, even the Subaru dealership told you it was interference??

The ignorance and subsequent bad information some folks give regarding our cars is staggering

A new timing belt and properly aligned cams will make your car run just like before. Depending on how much you want to drop into the car, you can just do the belt.... but if you plan on keeping it id do as suggested and get the waterpump done along with the new belt, and new idler pulleys.

The stealership charges an arm and a leg for the waterpump, but I can safely recommend A1 Cardone as it has lasted me 14,000 miles so far with no problems for around $50, as compared to what Subaru quoted me about $280.

+1 on the NON INTERFERENCE engine. You just got caught between a mechanic who wants to rip you off with a replacement engine and a the dealership who wants to rip you off with new parts.

As the guys mentioned, get the timing belt kit and a new waterpump (150K on an OEM pump will definitely needs replacing soon) and if I might add a new thermostat. Check the hoses and clamps while you are at it.

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by SoCal LS-L

The stealership charges an arm and a leg for the water pump, but I can safely recommend A1 Cardone as it has lasted me 14,000 miles so far with no problems for around $50, as compared to what Subaru quoted me about $280.00

The $280.00 price tag better include installation!

In addition to the timing belt and idler pulleys, I would replace the following:


Here are the parts, part numbers, List price and discount price. You should be able to get very close to discount price.

Water Pump..21111AA033....$153.62..$117.06
Gasket Water Pump..21114AA051....$3.97..$3.02
Water Pump Seal..21116AA020 ....$3.50..$2.67

Thermostat..21200AA072....$15.95..$12.15
Thermostat Gasket..21236AA010....$3.43..$2.62

Less than $140.00 plus shipping or local tax. Highly recommend Subaru OEM new water pump and gaskets.

.

[SilverSpear]

Originally Posted by svxcess

Timing belt and idler pulley sets are on ebay for between 160.00 and 180,00 and up. Most of them are made by PCI, with a part number of TS26209

Click HERE


Nothing wrong with these kits as I have used them. As a personal preference, I installed a new OEM timing belt (13028AA120) about $84.00, instead of the one supplied in the kit. I got a credit for the aftermarket belt from my installer. My OEM belt looked perfect after 12 years and 113,000 miles so I went with factory.

.

He can also go for the GATES timing belt for the SVX. Saving $30 is not bad at all for a high quality product

BTW, I bought it locally for $35, replaced it and drove the car for 3 years until I left. I am really happy with it

Part number is Gates T209 if anyone is interested.

[lhopp77]

Originally Posted by jhood422

I was sure that my '94 SVX was a non interference engine, but I called Subaru who told me "It DEFINITELY was an interference engine."

Wish you had the name and the telephone number of the Subaru rep that told you that. You could post it here and I bet he would get dozens of calls telling him he is wrong, wrong---R O N G, wrong. Would be fun.

Lee

[NeedForSpeed]

Originally Posted by jhood422

Honestly, I'm not sure how many miles were on the belt. I bought it used and it has 149,000 now. I'm assuming they changed the timing belt once or never.

I'm assuming 149,000 miles
And 16 years

[kwren]

Since your timing belt actually broke I would venture a guess that it would be a safe bet that the belt was the original... Unless... you have developed a pulley problem that caused the belt failure. In either case I would personally get the kit with belt-pulleys, etc as well... but not the kit with the water pump. For me, that new pump would have to be a genuine Subaru pump. The belt-pulley kits currently on eBay are quality and should cause no concern on installing them on your SVX.

Good luck...

Keith

[michael]

My 2 cents, I'm running 2 Import Experts water pumps with no problems. One has 20k the other 2k. BTW the way they are Prestone brand that come with the PCI kits on ebay.

[kwren]

Originally Posted by michael

My 2 cents, I'm running 2 Import Experts water pumps with no problems. One has 20k the other 2k. BTW the way they are Prestone brand that come with the PCI kits on ebay.

Check back in after 120,000 miles!

Keith

[Trevor]

As a matter of normal maintenance, I replaced water pump, idlers and adjuster together. The mechanic involved, who on the basis of evidence I trust, would not otherwise have guaranteed the job.

Subarus are a very popular car here in NZ, and all mechanics have adequate experience concerning their short comings.