1997reduxe

Thank you. I was thinking that would be a good idea. Will do. By the way, any other areas that you'd recommend checking out, since you got so many miles out of your Legacy? I seem to be having some drive train issues/noises/vibrations. I just am amazed at and love this car. It has saved my life since I moved here to Houston in basically a really bad situation and really needed a reliable one. thanks again, '97

Hey all. First post here. I have a 97 Legacy L that I bought a few years back with 140K on it, it now has 245K and still running amazingly well. (Have put Mobil 1 in it for the entire time I've had it.) The thing is, I never even realized until recently that this car had a timing belt. I am assuming that the previous owner replaced it, but I've had it now for 105K with no replacement. My main question is, does this engine (2.2) have protection on it so that in case the belt went it would not damage the engine? I am assuming that it does not have such protection, so it is my present priority to get the belt replaced. My next question is, I was recommended by a local shop that seems pretty good so far to me, that it was their practice to check water pump (already replaced), replace (with a kit) all belt tensioners, pulleys etc and the adjacent seals with the belt, until I guess they checked with the guys they get parts from and the price for all parts was very high. I checked with a good Subaru online place I know and even from them they were talking at least 500 dollars. The thing is, to me it seems that with 245K on the car I'd better replace all parts possible there, since if one of those pulleys goes with that many miles on it then the new belt won't be doing any good. I am looking around at aftermarket kits. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good kit for this car? I have come across these brands: Gatorback Duralast CRP PCI I mean, I am looking at anything that is good quality but also good price. Anything has got to be better than my present situation. Any recommendations welcome. Also, any good Suby mechanics in Houston? Thanks so much, '97