2003 Forester, timing belt let loose. Trying to fix this for a friend as economically yet wise as possible.

 

I'm thinking $100 for a used head is going to be hard to beat. No way a shop is going to replace all 4 valves (or probably 8 to be smart) and grind them for that price right?

 

Would be nice to shoot for new valve stem seals but at this point a full on head rebuild is going to be costly. A local place quoted $400 per head, definitely not doing that.

Used head - definitely the cheap way out. And charge him extra labor for his unwise decision to not address the belt before failure.

 

GD

The used heads.

 

GG I'm heading down your old way to pick up a TDI today Woodbridge VA

I AGREE .... used head .... I did this 2 years ago when my timing belt shreaded. choices $900 to rebuild my heads, or $200 for both from a 2003 legacy with 85K.

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/every-2-5l-interference-engine-64410/

 

Took the used ones ...... only down side, I never used oil before between changes, now I use a quart .... not a lot, but something that didn't cross my mind at the time.

 

Would I do it again ....ABSOLUTELY .... can't even predict if the rebuilt heads wouldn't develop an oil seal problem either.

Edited October 26, 201114 yr by ferret

thanks guys. plenty of heads out there, seems to make sense.

 

And charge him extra labor for his unwise decision to not address the belt before failure.

 

GD

i understand the sentiment but no charge on this one, helping this family out. they're just paying for parts.