I have a 1999 Forester with 164,000 miles and it's time to change the timing belt again. I was wondering what else to have the independent garage check or replace while they're in there.

 

These are some pretty tough miles: at least 10 miles a day on gravel 5 days a week, and muddy whenever it rains. Cold winters with snow and ice. Well not this year ... yet. Mostly higher speed miles (60+) very little stop and go traffic or long idles.

 

I appreciate your advice

you next timing belt won't be until well beyond 200,000 miles, now is the time to replace or at the very least, inspect, every timing belt pulley in there if you plan on keeping the car for while. water pump, oil pump seals and check the oil pump backing plate, and the cam seals. it's a bit of a gamble to expect the original timing pulleys to make 200,000 or 300,000 miles, they loose grease and will eat your timing belt...which on your interference motor will cause major engine damage.

Thanks grossgary. For the last 30 years I have been buying new cars and running them until they die or my needs considerably change.

 

I plan on keeping this car for at least another 100,000 miles. My 82 Saab Turbo lasted just over 300,000 miles when the timing chain broke and trashed the engine. I sold my 86 Honda Accord to a friend when it had 260,000 miles and needed a new set of tires and a distributor. If I had not moved out to the country and needed more ground clearance and 4WD or AWD, thus the 99 Forester, I might still have that Honda - my friend still does