Impreza timing belt question

Asked by Bexpilot Mar 18, 2021 at 07:28 PM about the 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2012 Impreza.  My mom hardly drives it.  It has 27000 miles on it.  She got the
warning from the dealer that she should change the timing belt due to age.  It
runs great.  Do you think it should be changed?

3 Answers

930

Easy enough to check: remove the driver's side upper plastic cover's keeper bolt so that you can pry the cover forward an inch to inspect the belt. With a light you can see the lower run's teeth too. Push on the belt to feel the auto-tensioner pushing back. No cracks, oil, nor looseness? You're ok. Yet I'd inspect annually, as it only takes 5 minutes. Giv en the low use you might see it not crack until after 15 years!

60

Sometimes you do have to replace the timing belt because of age. But to verify I usually like to open the timing cover up just a little and inspect the belt for any cracks or wear. If it appears to look okay then I keep running it as is.

10

Ummm--2012 Imprezas have a timing chain, not a belt. You can be forgiven for not knowing this--switchover was on the 2011. Unless she has a WRX, in which case, it has a belt and can be checked as Ernst says. Usually takes me longer than 5 minutes, but I'm older!

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