I replaced the timing belt on my 97 2.5 Legacy Outback wagon when I had to replace the front crank seal due to leaks at 74k miles. Fast forward to now with 91k miles and I'm going in again to replace the head gaskets.

 

Having owned several Fiats in the past, the cardinal rule with them was once you tensioned the timing belt, in no way were you to use it again should you have to remove the tension. Those were 30k or 60k intervals in replacing the belts.

 

So I ask you guys, sure, on an interference engine such as the 2.5 it would probably be silly not to use a new belt to replace one that only has 17k miles on it, but maybe for say a 2.2 engine, would you re-use it??

Take the price of a new timing belt and compare it with the price of an engine rebuild. Then ask yourself which one you would rather pay.

Take the price of a new timing belt and compare it with the price of an engine rebuild. Then ask yourself which one you would rather pay.

 

He's right. Is a new belt worth more to you by doing it right the first time or later on when the reused one breaks and it becomes 10x's more expensive to fix ie. a new engine.

on an interference engine i would use a new one, now that being said i have reused timing belts on non interference engines(if they were easy to get at if they ever did go again) and ran them for the recommended interval with no problems

I can change a timing belt in a few hours (or a day) or so, but even so I would never re-use an old one. That's like using junkyard brake pads. Although I have actually done that - back when I had no money.

do not reuse it.

 

we URGE YOU

 

Please buy a new one.

 

the piece of mind alone is worth the $50-60....

 

 

Jamie

Oh, I agree 110% especially on the interference engine such as the 2.5 that a new timing belt is the ONLY way to fly! However, my curiousity is along the lines of suppose someone installed a new timing belt to the point of applying the tensioner. Then they found out they were "off the mark" with regard to lining up the correct crank and cam marks. On the Fiats, you either got it right the first time or tried again with a NEW belt. So, my fellow Subies, whats your take?

Don't ever ever reuse timing belts..... A lot of people have done this including me and guess what happened? 5000kms later the belt broke!! anyway for what its worth, you're doing head gaskets, you might as well replace water pump, new HG, timing belt new seals etc.. for what its worth because it might be fine for next 100,000 kms as you never know!

For my 2c worth!

Cheers

AP

Oh, I agree 110% especially on the interference engine such as the 2.5 that a new timing belt is the ONLY way to fly! However, my curiousity is along the lines of suppose someone installed a new timing belt to the point of applying the tensioner. Then they found out they were "off the mark" with regard to lining up the correct crank and cam marks. On the Fiats, you either got it right the first time or tried again with a NEW belt. So, my fellow Subies, whats your take?

 

In that case, I'd use the same belt.

i have gone through complete hell with my 97 outback. before i got it the timing belt was changed. 700 miles into owning it idler pulley blew into pieces. now i am 2000 into rebuilding my engine

 

 

not any fun

If you're really concerned, take the belt back and say it dowsn't quite fit - seems a little streched perhaps. Then ask to exchange for another.

 

Oh, I agree 110% especially on the interference engine such as the 2.5 that a new timing belt is the ONLY way to fly! However, my curiousity is along the lines of suppose someone installed a new timing belt to the point of applying the tensioner. Then they found out they were "off the mark" with regard to lining up the correct crank and cam marks. On the Fiats, you either got it right the first time or tried again with a NEW belt. So, my fellow Subies, whats your take?

You should just put on a new belt. For the amount of hassle it is to take off the belt in the first place, it is not worth having to get back in there again.

as much as you want to save money, or time, get a new belt. its just not worth the risk in my opinion.

 

 

 

~Josh~

I replaced the timing belt on my 97 2.5 Legacy Outback wagon when I had to replace the front crank seal due to leaks at 74k miles. Fast forward to now with 91k miles and I'm going in again to replace the head gaskets.

 

Having owned several Fiats in the past, the cardinal rule with them was once you tensioned the timing belt, in no way were you to use it again should you have to remove the tension. Those were 30k or 60k intervals in replacing the belts.

 

So I ask you guys, sure, on an interference engine such as the 2.5 it would probably be silly not to use a new belt to replace one that only has 17k miles on it, but maybe for say a 2.2 engine, would you re-use it??

 

Off topic:

What fiats did you own?

I don't see any in US anymore.

I used to own/drive fiats, but it was in europe. Most were sad POS, yet some bulletproof, like UNO with FIRE engine.