jim in the north

Does anyone know if Subaru has acknowleged the head gasket oil leakage as a design problem in the mid 2000's 2.5l engine? I understand that this is a common problem and expensive to repair. Has there been any offer by the company to share costs? Would be great PR and incentive to return to a Subaru on the next purchase.

You should be very worried about the life left in this belt. Replaced mine at 160,000 Km and it was shot. Just posted that message to the forum yesterday. As far as replacing it goes, unless you're a pretty good mechanic, don't try to do it yourself. Too much grief involved with removing radiators, hoses, main crank pulley nut, etc etc. It goes on and on. I've done it, I know. Give it over to a trusted shop. It'll cost you though. Lots of labour getting at it all.

The maintenance schedule calls for replacement of the timing belt at 160,000 km (100,000 miles) and you better believe it. Just replaced mine along with the usual drive belts, pulleys, etc and found it to be on the verge of failure. It didn't have any more than a few hundred miles left on it. It was cracked at 1/2-inch spacings on the outside face of the belt ( smooth side) all the way around. Just lucky to catch it in time.