SunnySideUp

Mines due to be changed and that's what I will do.

I cannot remember seeing any posts about snapped cambelts, would I be correct in assuming that a Subaru belt will go on long past the 'date of change'? Assuming that the mileage hasn't been hugely excessive?

BMWhere?

Not worth the risk IMHO! They're are expensive to change but cheap as chips compared to the cost of fixing the likely damage if it goes!

tanyatriangles

iTrader: (2)

The Subaru engine is what's called an "interference engine" ie if the cambelt lets go, certain parts which should never do so will come in contact with each other. NOT good, and since it'll be an engine out job to rectify, potentially VERY expensive

One of my lads had a cambelt let go on a Mk1 clio, I did the job for him over a period of about 6 days, and he was lucky to get away with just two valves bent. Total cost was just over £100, and that was with just the cylinder head off and no labour charges.

When having a cambelt replaced, ask for a full kit, it's a bit dearer but includes all the bits renewed that could cause problems later, tensioners, idlers etc.

his-n-her-scoobs

iTrader: (5)

Not prone to snapping as some cars, but the belt change interval is large already, so pushing it further could prove to be a costly mistake.

The part itself is cheap and comparatively easy to change, especially compared to the cost of repairs if the thing snaps

Not worth the risk IMHO

hodgy0_2

had a timming belt go on a Volvo -- again an interference engine

no warning, engine just stopped on the Tooting underpass

a few bent valves and a 300/400 bill IIRC -- but that was 15yrs ago

GC8

And SunnySideUp is whats called an interference poster: save your breath.

Coffin Dodger

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

It's a fair question, though - I've heard of plenty of big-end failures and engine fires, but never, ever heard of a cambelt go on a Subaru.

So, do we all follow the service schedule to the letter, or is it actually a robust, long-lived part that really doesn't tend to wear out over the normal lifetime of the car anyway?

Rossco_

iTrader: (1)

Either way its just not worth finding out

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

Mine is due a change, Subaru recommend 50k and I am currently at 53k. I am getting it done ASAP as like just about everyone said, its not worth the risk.
I think the 50k is always a worst case minimum, cover you back side recommendation. As long as I get mine done before 60k it should be ok. But any further than that you are pushing it.

But as your original question asked, No I have never had one snap on me. Not heard about it in scoobs too much either.

ColiNThESTI

well im picking up my new classic JDM on sat (not the one in the my scooby bit the Mrs had a slight run in with a few tree's in that one ) and i asked if the cambelt had been changed they said nope its done 60k miles and is R reg so what's that 10 or 11 years old ? am getting that changed by them in the cost surely it has tho and just not had the sticker they put on the car would it really last 11 years ?

Ginge !

iTrader: (1)

think also the amount of engine jobs with imprezas also get the cambelts changed before there times

jake1481

hi there peeps just to let you all know that scoobys run a fairly high friction rate through there impresive amount of pullys there for this makes the belts and pullys wear out. increasing the risk of snaping or even jumping a tooth..... bad times best place to get belt ebay there are a few to chose from i have heard good reports adout the kevlar ones not tried them myself. but its worth getting the kit every time. as for an engine re build you wont get much change back from 1200 to 1500 notes...... merry christmass

Ginge !

iTrader: (1)

the only 2 belts i would ever consider and contitech or gates,,,, these make belts for OE and gates are the biggest,,,, just they aint that cheap but contitech are cheeper but just as good

jake1481

my bad well said i forgot to say about that

SunnySideUp

Thanks for the replies.

I am not thinking of ignoring it - it will be changed.

We hear a lot about these engines on here, but I cannot remember a cambelt snapped thread - hence my question.

The point above that these engines tend to be 'worked' on and therefore may have new cambelts quite regularly is a good thought ... and could explain why they are not mentioned as snapping much?

If a rebuilt engine costs £1500, and your car is worth £2000 (say) - and the cost of replacing the cambelt is £300 ...... there is a certain temptation to 'run at risk' I would suggest?

Gary Tractor boy

Just bought my 2001 wrx which has 58k on it and it hasn't had the cam belt done yet , I'm gonna get it done in the new year, Still debating weather to use a subaru dealer or another garage.

jjones

it's long out of warranty, got to an independant

stigaz

how much should we be paying to have the cam belt ,tensioners etc changed and how much is the kit mentioned.

and no i'v never seen a thread about one snapping either

+Doc+

From the Midlands Scooby site

dj219957

ive just been quoted 160 all in to have the belt changed on my 93 wrx.
the car as only done 40k but it could be the original belt which would make it 15 years old!
that price does not inlcude any tensioners which i have asked to be thourougly checked at the same time.
i think 160 is very cheap really. 2.1 hours labour he quoted and its a rad off job. worth the peace of mind IMO

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Mine was in a dealers back in the 90's and the mechanic told me of a farmer who had done 100,000 miles on the original belt, over six years, and it looked fine when replaced, but had no oil contamination, so could have just been very lucky !

dunx

Bubba po

Are you sure it's not 140k? Seems more likely at that age.

dj219957

deffo only 40k.Its a fresh import with v low miles

Bubba po

Oh, Ok.

Rossco_

iTrader: (1)

You really dont need to take the rad out, whipping the fans out is more than sufficient

SunnySideUp

Apparently, it's a simple DIY job (if you can hold a spanner that is) .... I do, however, like the reassurance of someone else doing it as if it snaps then you have somewhere to go back to.

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

I paid £150 for my belt to be changed. Tensioners and idlers usually don't need replacing.

Mine was 8 years old and only 48k on the clock. The replacement belt hs been more trouble TBH, noisy on start up (possible residue on the belt) but it has been thoroughly re-checked.

thesyn

I've had mixed experiences, had a cambelt jump in a volvo 15y ago with no damage incidently on Blackshaw rd in Tooting. Then recently had a cambelt tensioner let go on a renault 2.0 16v at 61k, change was due at 60k. When the head came off 15 valves were bent and the 16th was embedded in the combustion chamber and had cracked the piston crown.
I managed to source an engine from a low mileage rolled vehicle and was back on the the road for £1500 all in ( my thanks to friends in the trade).
Moral : always change cambelt and insist on the full kit.

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

More likely the tensioner? There is a specific procedure in compressing the piston and inserting the retaining pin, before re- fitting. Noise on start-up could be the tensioner bouncing against its stop.

JohnD