Timing Belt: Miles vs. Months?

BG55 · 11-30-2008, 01:17 PM

I have a 1999 Forester with just over 60,000 miles on it. My local garage told me that I should change the timing belt at this point. My Subaru owner's manual says it should be changed at 105,000 miles or 105 months. It's now been on the road for 113 months. Which should I go by, months or miles? The car is running fine at this point and I'm hesitant to spend over $1,000 if it's not needed yet, but I know the risks if the belt goes. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

SuperRu · 11-30-2008, 01:28 PM

We did it on our 98 last year. That is something I just don't want to gamble with. Our motors are interference. If that belt breaks pistons will hit valves and that makes a belt replacement look cheap.

2.5x_sleeper · 11-30-2008, 01:54 PM

My '03 has what is considered low miles, a bit over 26K, so I go by months & not miles on anything that is critical...

Bobby...

Mi_ka · 11-30-2008, 02:18 PM

Synthetic/rubber parts of the belt deteriorate by time as well as mileage particularly in mainly hot or mainly cold places.
It may hold, it may not.
Don't risk your engine. If the belt slips past two three dents or even worse and most probable, snaps, you are talking about major and expensive damage.
Chances are you will get no early warning signs - it will just go !

11-30-2008, 01:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
BG55 Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Timing Belt: Miles vs. Months? I have a 1999 Forester with just over 60,000 miles on it. My local garage told me that I should change the timing belt at this point. My Subaru owner's manual says it should be changed at 105,000 miles or 105 months. It's now been on the road for 113 months. Which should I go by, months or miles? The car is running fine at this point and I'm hesitant to spend over $1,000 if it's not needed yet, but I know the risks if the belt goes. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

11-30-2008, 01:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
SuperRu Admin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Little Five Points (Atlanta, GA) Posts: 3,285 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 2 / 100%	We did it on our 98 last year. That is something I just don't want to gamble with. Our motors are interference. If that belt breaks pistons will hit valves and that makes a belt replacement look cheap. __________________ Richard 04 XT.... 98S

11-30-2008, 01:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
2.5x_sleeper Need more MODs! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,235 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 11 / 100%	My '03 has what is considered low miles, a bit over 26K, so I go by months & not miles on anything that is critical... Bobby... __________________ 2003 Pacifica Blue Pearl Metallic 2.5X 4EAT +AVO turbo kit!

11-30-2008, 02:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mi_ka Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 166 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Synthetic/rubber parts of the belt deteriorate by time as well as mileage particularly in mainly hot or mainly cold places. It may hold, it may not. Don't risk your engine. If the belt slips past two three dents or even worse and most probable, snaps, you are talking about major and expensive damage. Chances are you will get no early warning signs - it will just go ! Last edited by Mi_ka : 12-01-2008 at 03:23 AM.

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