trevor.y Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I was just handed down an 02 Legacy Wagon GT with 79k miles on it. The problem is that it came from my Dad's uncle who has Alzheimers and we don't have any of the service records. I called the dealer where he purchased it and it has only been in once for an oil change. At least to their service department. I don't think he totally neglected the car, it's in great cosmetic shape, and he used it mainly around his ranch and to pick up stuff from the nursery. I have called around to a couple of dealers to get their opinion. The opinion seems to be to get it in and have the timing belt replaced and the 60k maintenance. The timing belt is supposed to be changed at 9 years or 105k. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm also tempted to drive the 45 miles to the dealer for this too to set a baseline as I don't know of any mechanics in Santa Barbara that are good Subaru mechanics. Thanks in advance. Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Trevor, Welcome to this forum.........I hope we can help you. Suggest you pull the oil dip stick to see what condition the oil is in. If really dark, then get the oil and filter changed right away. Any garage or oil change joint can do that. Yea, I agree it is time to replace the timing belt. Eleven years is time enough. You do not want to have the timing belt break while driving, as it will damage the valves, and that is expensive to repair. Suggest you write a new topic on this forum, asking if anyone can recommend a dealer or independent garage in the Santa Barbara that does good work on Subies. I have been able to advise Subie owners in the Indianapolis, IN area, where I live, when asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Check headgasket condition underneath, good to know right now if they're seeping externally or not. I hate to suggest driving it if it's going to break, the chance does exist, but these belts are robust and we can imply low grade use and mileage - so it's unlikely to break the next time you drive it. Don't pay for a dealer mileage service like "60k service" or "100k service"....they are way overinflated. Just tell them what you want - look at their service intervals or your owners manual maintenance intervals and tell them what you want. They include things like "100 point inspection" which is marketing inflated nonsense that means nothing. every time they change your oil they're looking at 4 axle boots, 2 ball joints, 2 struts, 4 tie rods, exhaust, dozens of hoses, gaskets...etc - within 15 seconds any competent mechanic is casually looking at that stuff while they're under the vehicle changing fluids/parts. They're essentially making these packages sound like good deals when they are not - they're well marketed. I would change, in this order if you can't do it all at once:Engine oil, coolant, transmission, front diff oil, spark plugs, air filter at some point in the next year. Air filter requires no tools and takes 45 seconds if you want to do that yourself. Review your owners manual to see if there's anything else you'd add. Replace the timing belt, pulleys, and tensioner. Subaru charges $450 - $700 just for the belt alone...I'd avoid them not just because of price but because of the low quality of parts that will be installed - they're going to reuse all the 10+ year old pulleys/tensioner. That's not the best repair in this case where you're the new owner and the car is otherwise good for another reliable 100k. Get a complete timing belt kit: you want to get one of the Ebay or Gates kits off amazon (someone just posted a smoking deal - $100 for new Gates kits on Amazon recently). That includes the timing belt, all the pulleys, and the tensioner. Way too expensive to do all that at the dealer but should be done. Subaru timing belts are actually really easy, don't need a Subaru specialist for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 some one has been servicing this car for him, ask his children, wife or grand children. or look for receipts in the car. but the only way to be sure, is to have the work done. head gaskets can fail all by themselves. the only way to help prevent that is to make sure the coolant has the subaru ''conditioner'' added to it. a timing belt failure, usually not the belt but a pulley, can bend valves and is expensive to repair. so sooner rather than later. but as mentioned, oil and fluids first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevor.y Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Thank you all for the recommendations! Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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