richardjames

I ordered the parts from the website referenced above. I don't think it was the postal system that was the problem - my tracking number indicated that Canadian Boarder Services received it relatively quickly. It was customs trying to figure out how much they were going to hose me for.

It's been a while, however the wait was worth it. I just received my tensioner, timing belt, cam seals, water pump and oil pump seals in the mail yesterday! It was ordered on February 15th! The grand total was $265.00 CDN for the parts plus another 41.00 for GST and duty. Well worth the wait - it would have cost over 400 had I gone with the dealer. One last question: Do you recommend a Subaru mechanic or can any well experienced mechanic handle installing this?

Funny - even if the import tax was 100%, it's still less than the dealer!

Just to confirm: You are saying you charge $650 US for parts and labour to do the following: 1) change the timing belt 2) replace the water pump 3) replace the cam seals 4) replace oil pump seals 5) replace tensioner Two other questions - 1) If I did have 5 leaks as they said, wouldn't I have oil on my driveway? 2) Someone mentioned I should change the oil pump. Is that necessary or a make work project? Thnx - you guys are the best!!! I feel like I owe you a beer.

How can I determine this?

Actually it is Westboro Subaru. Every time I went in before the transmission issue - they usually found about $300 - 400 worth of work to be done. Sometimes I complied, sometimes I didn't. Since the transmission was replaced, they started quoting in the $800 range (hence the work that was just done). Then this $1849+tax job after completing the work. I just thought of something - I changed to synthetic oil about six months ago. If I switched back to regular oil, would/could this fix up these leaks? So...the consensus is to: 1) change the timing belt 2) replace the water pump 3) replace the cam seals 4) continue to check oil and top up every 2 to 3 tanks of gas - and see what happens How much shoule 1, 2 and 3 cost? Any comments or other suggestions???

I agree - Trebecca=UGLY! I must note it's not nearly as bad as the Aztek. I can't imagine what was going through their heads when they made the aztek? I've often wondered - did they have a liquid lunch on a Friday afternoon and realize at 2:30 the plans had to be in by 4:00 ???

Hi Porcupine73 - It has an A/T that was replaced a little over a year ago. I wouldn't anticipate the engine seal needs replacing but they guy said there was oil all over it. Actually - I don't fully trust the dealer because of this transmission - I bought the car from them and they denied warranty service on the A/T - then a few days after it expired they said "you need a new transmission - but fortunately for you, we'll only charge you $5000 for the job." That's when I said "I think you need to re-evaluate this situation." They begrudgingly replaced it. Since then I've always had the feeling they intend on recovering the $5,000 it cost to replace it. But seriously - they need to take the engine out - and $1,849 is reasonable?

I had my 99 Forester with 162,000 km (100,000 miles for the American Folks) in for it's annual maintainence yesterday. It included checking belts, hoses, A/C, lights, tire pressure and rotated, oil change/filter, replaced air filter, inspect cooling - EGR - exhaust - steering - suspension, clean/service battery, lube locks/latches/seals, reset ECM and finally - strip the brakes apart to lube/service. They determined I needed new rear rotors and pads as well as gaskets for 5 - engine oil leaks. They were going to change the timing belt but said it's best to do it when the gaskets are done. I replaced the rotors and pads and passed on dealing with the leaks right now. The total came to $885.55 CDN with taxes. In terms of the leaks - they said I need to change both head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, oil pump seals and rear separator plate. And to do this they will have to take the engine out of the car. Including the timing belt, they quoted $1,849 CDN plus taxes. I find it strange there are leaks - there isn't one drop of oil on my driveway. Not one! I do find that I have to add a litre of oil every couple of tanks but - I've read on this group that this is common for this car. Is this reasonable??? Do they need to take the engine out for a couple of gaskets and a pair of seals? Is that price outrageous? Sometimes I would like to do this: Me Dealer