When is it advisable to replace the timing belt on 08 Forester?

105,000 miles.

 

Replace belt, water pump, tensioner, and all idler pulleys. The idlers are what fail and take out the belt. And they will fail long before the next interval at 210,000.

Great, you saved my weekend I will replace it next summer or the summer of 2017.

Gates kits on Amazon are cheap and include tensioner, belt, and pulleys - which are all prone to fail, not just the belt.

 

Subaru specifies 105,000 or 105 months, whichever comes first, though these belts aren't likely to pose issues due to time alone.

My comment from last night disappeared!!! WTH?

 

I tend to err on the side of caution with these belts.  Subaru may say 105K, but we've seen many fail way before that, especially out west here with our extremes of heat/cold and very dry climate which ages rubber prematurely.

At least, take off the small timing belt cover and check the integrity of the rubber.  If it's cracking or looks weathered, do it now, regardless of the mileage.

 

Emily

I checked the timing belt tonight it looks great I will replace it and the idlers next summer or the next.

 

Thank you all.

Subaru suggests 105, but 100,000 is a much easier number to keep in your head.