99 OBS / 197 K miles / busted timing belt

[dublo7]

Hello everyone,

 As a student with my beloved subie I'm doing my best to keep it  going as long as possible - I really plan to drive it into the ground, provided I don't start working first.  My obs engine died on the highway @ 70 mph cruise control a few days ago. My mech says a timing belt replacement, along with  a new water pump, valve cover gasket, spark plugs, ignition wires are needed.

 

I'm going to the garage to check out my engine - I expect it to not look that great, but hope it salvageable. I expected to change my timing belt soon but tuition trumped it last month.

 

Thes OBSs rock.

 

 Just had to whine to some experts that understand this condition.

 

 

[johnceggleston]

you probably have bent valves due to the timing belt failure.

this is common and no valve damage is rare.

this means more money.

there are two ways to check the valves,

repair the timing belt failure and test run / drive it. (maybe used parts just to diagnose.)

or remove the heads and send them to the machine shop to be cleaned ans checked out.

 

alternatives,

replace the engine,

or replace the head /heads with bent valves.

if you are paying for labor, there is no cheap solution.

 

look for engines and heads here:

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

sort by zip code to see what is close.

if you have to ship,

sort by price and look for a bargain.

[Rooster2]

Your engine is certainly salvageable, however, with a broken timing belt. you very likely have bent valves. In addition to what your mechanic says you need, your mechanic will need to pull the heads, replace bad valves, clean up the surface of the heads, and install new head gaskets. I am surprised your mechanic failed to advise you of the valve damage problem. He must not think your engine is an "interference" type motor. However, you do have an interference type engine. I would advise you to have work done by an experienced Subaru mechanic. Otherwise, an unknowing mechanic, can, and will make mistakes at your expense.

[Fairtax4me]

X3. Bent valves are almost a guarantee when you break a timing belt on that engine. Your mechanic doesn't know Subarus if he didn't advise you of that.

 

Where are you located? Perhaps we can recommend a more knowledgable mechanic.

[Stevo F]

Any of the EJ22 engines after the 1996 model year interference so bent vales are likely. if no piston damage, a set of used heads may be the best way to go. 

 

I also agree that if you have to pay for the work to be done, the cost will go up tremendously. I have spent way to much on our '98 & '05 Subaru's paying for a mechanic (even at only $70/ hour) to do the work.

[idosubaru]

check for bent valves (leak down test or install timing belt and compression test or just run it)

may get lucky, but don't count on it - they usually bend valves.

 

used heads is the easiest solution. 

1999-2001 EJ22's are the only EJ22 heads that will work.  (available on 1999 legacy and 1999-2001 impreza)

 

i think you can also use 1999 Forester EJ25 and 2000-2004 EJ25 heads if you swap the exhaust manifold to dual port - otherwise the valves/heads are the same.

 

unfortunately the 99's are annoying, the 1998 heads are unbelievably easy to swap, 6 bolts per side and no valve cover/cam stuffs to remove.  super easy...but not your 1999.