timing chain or belt?

[lewisd]

I know the 6 cylinder has been timing chain but today while car shopping the salesman said he thinks they changed the 4 cylinders over to chain as well. I didn't want to debate with him so I just wanted to make sure. did the the 2.5 switch over to chain in past couple years or do I still know what I'm talking about? I was looking at a pearl white 2010 forester with 45k miles for 17,200.

[lstevens76]

http://parts.subaru.com/a/Subaru_2010_Forester25L-4ATX/__6022811/CAMSHAFT--TIMING-BELT-TIMING-BELT-09MY-10MY/S12-013-02.html

 

Well Subaru seems to disagree...................

[Rooster2]

I think only a couple of years back that Subaru went with a timing chain on their latest version of their 4 cylinders. As is seen in the link above, the 2010 model still uses the timing belt.

[Stevo F]

Correct, the new FB series engines use a timing chain. The FB20 in my 2014 Impreza has one.

[idosubaru]

cars101.com will tell which vehicles get the EJ25 (timing belt) or FB engines (timing chain).   it was around 2011 the legacy/outback went to FB engine and timing belts.  Unsure when impreza/forester did but as i said cars101.com is a great resources for all of that.

[1 Lucky Texan]

my MIL's 11 Forry is a belt. 12s got a chain.

 

I think various soob models got the FB engine at different times. EJ engines have a belt.

 

so, the clue is whether the (4cyl) engine is FB (or FA) - those are the new designs with chains. If EJ engine=belt

[Dj7291993]

If the oil filter is on top, it's a chain (FB). Lso, if you look at them, the belts have plastic timing covers, chains are metal. If you are looking at new, it'll be a chain.