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Hi all,

I'm a noob to the Subaru world, but I must say I think I am a convert!

I have a 99 Outback (auto) that I purchased 1 year ago, and is coming up to its 200 000k service. It doesn't appear to have any major problems, except for some oil leakage underneath somewhere.

My problem is I'll be doing an 8 hr road trip in a few weeks, and having trouble scabbling the money together for the log book service.

Do you think it would be ok to get a minor service somewhere to tide me over and get it check out for the trip?

Sorry about the lack of knowledge - thats what experts at this forum are for right - learning!

I'm on Brisbane north side, but will travel for a good mechanic

Here she is:

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The main part of the major service is changing the rubber timing belt.
I would say it's probably unlikely that it will snap on this trip, it is still due for replacement at Subaru's recommendation.
It's a risk...personally I'd put the service on credit card or something and get it done before you leave. Sort out the finance when you get back.

Otherwise yeah if u know a good mechanic you could buy a timing belt and just replace that + a minor service.

Gday Layka

Scary - looking at your outback is like looking at mine! I also have a 99 outback, same colour, similar kms (but manual, and the limited) and also on Brissie northside (Narangba).

As for the service, be weary of going just anywhere for a service - apparently there is some specialist knowledge required to do the timing belt on these cars.

I'd recommend going to or at least charring to the people at the subaru specialist Boxer Service (Brendale- 32054495). I've been there before, and their prices are better than zupps, and they are more than happy to discus options with you.

If you don't get the service done, its probably only a small risk. Just make sure you check oil levels before/during the trip if its leaking, as well as other fluids etc.

Have a great road trip!

RB

When was the timing belt changed last? If you want to be sure - open up the timing belt cover and inspect the timing belt carefully if you can see any types of cracks and so on - if there is no sight of cracks anywhere then the belt would be fine for next few weeks.

Timing belt for SOHC is around between $60 - below $100.
Cheers
AP

Timing Belt DOHC wuld be like $100 + depending on price differences between West Aus and Over East.
to check the belt rotate it until u can see the writing thats on them if its very easy to read and bright white then its fine but if its been fading in areas gettin harder to read in some places then dont leave it much longer.
u usually cant see cracks ont he top its mainly on the teeth. (altho my mates T.belt broke after 150 thou and it was cracked everywhere lol.

also for doin the service or not im guessin ur not into doin it urself?
seems if i was in ur shoes id get a smaller service done just check over and O+F then when u get back scrounge up the money and get some more things done. T.Belt some of the oil leaks, change tranny fluid and filter etc. basically wt it says in the book

From experience if you are trying to cut costs on a service you can get away by doing it on your own and save a heap on labour the major part of any service. The 200000kms service main point to get done is the cam belt changed at the very least. A cam belt for your engine would be about $70 and fitting extra. There are other things that need to be done but the one that can bring you unstuck is the cambelt.

Matatak wrote:Timing Belt DOHC wuld be like $100 + depending on price differences between West Aus and Over East.
to check the belt rotate it until u can see the writing thats on them if its very easy to read and bright white then its fine but if its been fading in areas gettin harder to read in some places then dont leave it much longer.
u usually cant see cracks ont he top its mainly on the teeth. (altho my mates T.belt broke after 150 thou and it was cracked everywhere lol.

also for doin the service or not im guessin ur not into doin it urself?
seems if i was in ur shoes id get a smaller service done just check over and O+F then when u get back scrounge up the money and get some more things done. T.Belt some of the oil leaks, change tranny fluid and filter etc. basically wt it says in the book

That engine is SOHC - not DOHC.
Cheers
AP

Thanks everyone for all your informative replies!

As far as doing it myself, I would love to learn, but I have no idea. When i say noob I mean noob!

I'm getting 4 new tyres put on next week as well, hence the money situation.(Michelin Energy XM1)

Is the cam belt the same as the timing belt?

My dad and I changed the "2 belts near the front of the engine bay" recently - one was cracked and deteriorating. I drove from Brisbane to Tamworth like that! So if one of those is the cam belt then it was recently changed.

I would like to find out where this oil is leaking from tho.

layka wrote:
My dad and I changed the "2 belts near the front of the engine bay" recently - one was cracked and deteriorating. I drove from Brisbane to Tamworth like that! So if one of those is the cam belt then it was recently changed.

I would like to find out where this oil is leaking from tho.

Mate, not trying to be funny, but if you aren't sure what a cam/timing belt is or looks like then I really suggest not tackling that task just yet.

The belts you changed are the drive belts for the Power Steering, Air-Con and Alternator. If one of those belts breaks you just lose whatever it was attached to (ie if the PS one broke you wouldn't have PS).

Oil could be leaking from a few places. Most likely though are the sump pan, or the rocker covers. Just how much oil leaks? Do you get a wet puddle overnight? Or is it not actually dripping off the car?

I can thoroughly recommend Boxer Service (Brendale- 32054495), I travel from the Sunshine Cost to Brendale to have my 03 XS Forester serviced there
, in fact I will be there Friday week for my 112,500km service.
Don't be put off by Brenda on the front counter (if she is there when you drop in) as she knows here Subaru's.

I do a bit of work for some of the guys in the Suby club if you would like to watch and learn i would be able to help you out there.

Now theres a good reason to join the subaru 4wd club of qld;).Can also say boxer motorsports is a good place for getting stuff done.Use to get stuff done there before i knew what i was doing .Grabbing a manual for your car is also a good place to start.

Subyroo wrote: Don't be put off by Brenda on the front counter (if she is there when you drop in) as she knows here Subaru's.

Absolutely correct!

Unlike the guy at repco that asked if my brumby was 4wd :P

Take it from me a broken timing is not something you want to go through.At the very least you will end up with bent valves, a very expensive exercise.Just get it done!

Subyroo wrote: Don't be put off by Brenda on the front counter (if she is there when you drop in) as she knows here Subaru's.

Why would one be put off by Brenda?

Just curious.

I'm glad she knows her stuff, hopefully she can help me out!

INEEDABEER wrote:Take it from me a broken timing is not something you want to go through.At the very least you will end up with bent valves, a very expensive exercise.Just get it done!

Can someone expand on this quote (if not Ineedabeer) - my car recently broke down, RACV guy thinks it might be the timing belt. We're going to get it towed on Monday so I came looking for a guesstimate on costs.

kez

My timing belt broke on the pass.side of my EA82 recently,not due to old age but a seized $8 bearing on tne idler sprocket.No bent valves though.

Does this mean not all Soobies are a freewheelin design (when valves dont hit pistons) ? That would be a shame.

Kezpipa wrote:Can someone expand on this quote (if not Ineedabeer) - my car recently broke down, RACV guy thinks it might be the timing belt. We're going to get it towed on Monday so I came looking for a guesstimate on costs.

kez

I'll give you a very ballpark figure, applies to any four cylinder with a timing belt.
More engines are "interference" rather than "free spinning" these days.
When the belt covers come off, you can "rock" each cam with pistons at halfway, bent valves will show up as a cam that travels a long way before any valves move. If the cams feel ok, put on new timing belt and see if the engine runs on four cylinders. Generally about $300 fitted.

If heads need to come off, could be $2000 - $3000 depending on number of valves bent etc, obviously fixing your oil leaks at the same time, probably cam seals or rocker cover gaskets.

On EJ series, If its an DOHC will have twin bolts left and right, if one breaks (some of them do have valve protection which means it'll prevent valves getting bent) some don't, if the valve is bent requires more work - heads off and new valves needs to be fitted, worst case cracked heads.

If its EJ SOHC is normally one belt, I think EJ22 has valve protection which means the camshaft will turn freely. Best way to find out is to open left and right timing cover (normally EJ engines has three piece timing covers one left and right and centre. with Centre one you need to take the pulley off.)

Like I said above, take the cover off and you'll see what isnt right.
Cheers
AP

Kezpipa wrote:Can someone expand on this quote (if not Ineedabeer) - my car recently broke down, RACV guy thinks it might be the timing belt. We're going to get it towed on Monday so I came looking for a guesstimate on costs.

kez

Mine ended up with 4 bent valves,so what does that mean?The engine has to come out and the heads removed.The valves would then need to be cheked,any obvious bent ones would have to go and the rest would probably have to be checked on a lathe.You will also need to get while the engine is outthe rear main seal done as it makes sense to get it done while it is out.as you can see it is a fairly major job,I'm yet to get my bill yet but i expect it to be about $2500 that also would depend on wether it is DOHC or SOHC.Mine is Dohc.