Due to the limited mileage that my 2003 Impreza STi does I usually have it serviced annually... when the oil that comes out tends to look identical to the oil going back in!

So, currently the last service was at 19,800 miles - last June - by Simpsons of Highworth (Subaru main stealer) and has been noted as "40,000 mile type" (previous service the year before was "30,000 mile type").

Now - it's just over 6 years old and due for another service (it's done nearly 2000 miles this year!) and I'm guessing it'll be a "50,000 mile type" service, at 21,000 miles...??? However, I'm unsure of the cambelt replacement regime - miles and time-period - and wouldn't want to risk a snapping cam belt too much.

So - should I already have replaced it, is it at the "50,000 mile type", "60,000 mile type" service or how many years?

To be honest it stands more of a chance of perishing than suffering from over-use - though it does spend most of its time sat in the garage, warm and dry and nestled in a bed of peacock feathers...

Either way - when it needs it, it will NOT be going back to Simpsons for it!

Any advice appreciated...

DN

 

5 years/50k or whichever comes first probably so its due one tbh, its due to the fact that the rubber deteriorates with age, not just use.

Tony

 

I had the same quantry bout whether i shuld have my T-Belt change, mines an '04' with 45000 on the clock but i don't do much milage either, im ex trade so went to see what Auto Data book recommended, it says 60000 or 5 yrs which ever comes fisrt. I also looked at doin the job myself, hell how hard culd that be........ 8 steps to take the belt off, 20 steps to put the new on, plus the amount of timing marks that have to be marked and then kept in position when the new belt goes on looks a night mare. I phoned up a Subaru specialiste who said that a belt cos £100+ VAT they don't change the tensioners/guides nbecause they never give any trouble and they're metal. To fit they said bout £350 can't remember if that's all in. Either way when it does need doin il think bout poss takin it to them or if im feelin brave il give it go myself.

 

If in doubt replace it,the hardest part is undoing the bottom pulley nut,get the proper tool or make one.If you change the belt allways replace idlers adjusters etc.The complete kit is about £200 why take a chance,the cost of a broken belt dont bear thinking about

 

Tensioners can be prone to failure, mine were changed at the last service cost £120 extra.
I lost an engine in a previous car (Not a Scoob) due to tensioners seizing up.

 

Although my 03 STi had only 31k on it, as it was in it's 6th year, I decided to have the belt replaced. All the idlers, water pump, tensioner etc were fine, so cost me £209 at Xtreme Scoobies in Essex.

JohnD

 

It's not that hard to do - took me about 5 hours in total for the first time, and I'm by no means an expert mechanic.

Just make sure you lock the cams somehow so they don't spin when you take the belt off.

 

Is it just one belt your changing, or should you be changing more at the same time.
I assume its the same for the imports?
My car has under 50k miles but is 6 years old and im not sure if its ever been changed