I just got a 99 Legacy Outback Wagon with 131K. Car's in good shape but I have no history on it since it was a trade-in. I've changed all the fluids and getting her ready for snowboarding trips, but concerned about the timing belt. Some people get them done at 60K, some 100K, but can this car be running the original? I would think not. I would hate to blow $500 for nothing.

It may not be too difficult to pull a cover and check to see if the print is still on the belt. If no print/label on the belt it might be a good idea to change it, but you never know, could be new with a readable label on it too...

 

just don't let 'er break, that'll piss ya off even more than blowing $500.00.

If it was done in the past by a Subaru dealer, it will be in the computer and a dealer can check for you. Otherwise, if there's no receipt or note in the car, you cannot be sure. The normal schedule on that car is 105,000 miles and it's believeable it's still the original.

When we got my granpa's wagon, the previous (and only) owners informed us that the timing belt had never been changed at 110k miles. It's a 93 wagon, so those were the 60k belts.

 

I told my granpa to buy it and park it and not drive it until I changed the belt.

I just got a 99 Legacy Outback Wagon with 131K. Car's in good shape but I have no history on it since it was a trade-in. I've changed all the fluids and getting her ready for snowboarding trips, but concerned about the timing belt. Some people get them done at 60K, some 100K, but can this car be running the original? I would think not. I would hate to blow $500 for nothing.

 

Yes it can be - that's almost exactly when I replaced my original (on a 99 OBW). Meant to do it earlier...but things happen. Mechanic said it didn't look too bad when he pulled it either.

Yes it can be - that's almost exactly when I replaced my original (on a 99 OBW). Meant to do it earlier...but things happen. Mechanic said it didn't look too bad when he pulled it either.

 

you got to figure if the belts failed at 106k miles they would have us change them at 80k miles. but since they say 105k then i figure at least 131k.

 

i had to do mine at 98k because of the leaking water pump. i sure didn't want to run low on coolant and over heat.

I just got a 99 Legacy Outback Wagon with 131K. Car's in good shape but I have no history on it since it was a trade-in. I've changed all the fluids and getting her ready for snowboarding trips, but concerned about the timing belt. Some people get them done at 60K, some 100K, but can this car be running the original? I would think not. I would hate to blow $500 for nothing.

 

It can go that long without changing the belt but I would not recomend it. I say change the belt so you know when it is due next time. Where in the Bay Area are you? I'm in Berkeley/Richmond. shoot me a PM if you want me to take a look at this for you. $500 is way too high for a timing belt, even on the DOHC engines.

I just got a 99 Legacy Outback Wagon with 131K. Car's in good shape but I have no history on it since it was a trade-in. I've changed all the fluids and getting her ready for snowboarding trips, but concerned about the timing belt. Some people get them done at 60K, some 100K, but can this car be running the original? I would think not. I would hate to blow $500 for nothing.

And the 2.5 is an interference (striker) motor, so if it snaps it will cost you way more than $500.

Thanks for the responses guys. This forum rocks. I had my mechanic take a peek and he said it looked loose and worn. Gah!

 

I did, however, find an old receipt in the owners manual that had the previous owners contact info, so I'm hoping the # is still good and he's cool with telling me a bit about the car.

 

Thanks for the offer GNUMAN, that was very cool of you. The $500 quote was for timing belt\water pump combo, which I think is about right.

 

FYI - I just had all the fluilds changed (coolant, oil, auto tranny, diff), air filter, and spark plugs swapped out and WOW what a noticeable difference. Car runs great. I just hope the previous owner took proper care of the car so I can save a few bucks.

 

 

It can go that long without changing the belt but I would not recomend it. I say change the belt so you know when it is due next time. Where in the Bay Area are you? I'm in Berkeley/Richmond. shoot me a PM if you want me to take a look at this for you. $500 is way too high for a timing belt, even on the DOHC engines.