Timing Belt

Asked by Shirley Mar 28, 2018 at 04:23 PM about the 2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

It is being recommended that I replace the Timing Belt on my 2004 Subaru Legacy with just over 31,000 miles.  I see must of the questions for replacement are from owners with vehicles having mileage with 100k or more miles.  Is it possible that with low mileage mine should be replaced just on age alone?

8 Answers

26,220

Unless you are having problems, and I don't think that you are, I would change it. If you have to take it to a mechanic, it will cost you $$.

1 people found this helpful.
39,945

if it is an interference motor you should take the advice more seriously but I think 31K is a low # to worry about it ,

158,955

Change it. 14 year old timing belts are just waiting to bend the valves.

48,660

Yup...change it based on age. But to remove the mystery of condition just remove the left front plastic cover's 10mm bolt, pry the cover back an inch, and peer in there to check for cracks in several locations (jerk the starter to adjust rotation). You can push the belt's top run down with your finger to check the tensioner too! Will take less than 5 minutes. Only if the belt is PERFECT would I drive it. Most of these belts crack after 10-12 years. Figure 3 hours labor to replace the belt, checking the tensioner for oil leak (that's how they fail) and the idler for play anyway. You can safely OMIT the water pump as they never fail. So maybe you can keep this under $400 if only the belt is needed. Good luck. And yes: the odds of bending a valve and tossing the whole car are great if the belt breaks while running.

Cheap insurance which allow your car to run for a very long time given the low miles.

48,660

I would also ask an experienced Subaru wrench to check the head gaskets for seepage. Since the t-belt replacement is included in a $1.5k-ish HG job, you do NOT want to replace the t-belt and have to eat that $400 if HG leakage is significant. Look especially for a COOLANT leak at the left rear lower corner (cyl #4), as well OIL leakage from the RIGHT head side. The former will be evident as greasy green wetness across the left side rear underbody near the trans, whereas the oil leakage will be predominant onto the catalytic converter on the right side...usually creating a smelly mess. If you need HGs ensure that an experienced wrench does the job, and that the heads are sent out for careful inspection at a machine shop (this will be a sublet of about $150). If either head is "running a wet diaper", but not yet bleeding onto the ground nor cat conv, do NOT replace the t-belt IF it looks un-cracked upon inspection. Even if we're wrong, and it snaps, a used motor is $1.5k and $500 to install...not much more than a $1.5k HG job. Capice?

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Legacy

Looking for a Used Legacy in your area?

CarGurus has 6,798 nationwide Legacy listings starting at $1,995.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2004 Subaru Legacy

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    2,790
  • #2
    Anthony_60
    Reputation
    1,800
  • #3
    Tom Hawkins
    Reputation
    1,510
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Outback
1,129 Great Deals out of 32,976 listings starting at $1,299
Used Subaru Impreza
323 Great Deals out of 8,677 listings starting at $2,700
Used Toyota Camry
1,965 Great Deals out of 40,016 listings starting at $1,100
Used Subaru Forester
1,018 Great Deals out of 31,852 listings starting at $1,995
Used Honda Accord
1,489 Great Deals out of 28,915 listings starting at $1,200
Used Honda Civic
1,336 Great Deals out of 24,822 listings starting at $1,000
Used Subaru Impreza WRX
27 Great Deals out of 417 listings starting at $5,999
Used Honda CR-V
2,058 Great Deals out of 36,858 listings starting at $1,095
Used Toyota Corolla
1,365 Great Deals out of 25,617 listings starting at $1,350
Used Nissan Altima
1,434 Great Deals out of 34,585 listings starting at $875
Used Mazda MAZDA3
445 Great Deals out of 12,659 listings starting at $1,800
Used Mazda MAZDA6
153 Great Deals out of 1,941 listings starting at $2,495

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Subaru Legacy For Sale
28 Great Deals out of 601 listings starting at $21,900
2023 Subaru Legacy For Sale
8 Great Deals out of 115 listings starting at $20,990
2022 Subaru Legacy For Sale
31 Great Deals out of 441 listings starting at $15,999
2021 Subaru Legacy For Sale
18 Great Deals out of 254 listings starting at $15,595
2020 Subaru Legacy For Sale
26 Great Deals out of 270 listings starting at $12,994

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.