Have heard this from others with varying mileage -- this might be an age-related issue instead of a mileage-related. Given it's 20 years old, can't fault Subaru much. Rather, just giving a heads up to others.
The Subaru boxer engine through 1997 is not an interference engine, meaning a timing belt breakage does not ruin the valves and total the engine. It's age and rarity make finding replacement parts much more difficult and time consuming. In this instance it was in the shop for over a week while a timing belt cover was shipped in from elsewhere.
This has been reported on SVX forums and I've seen others with the same issue. Sometimes the timing belt guide breaks, which is part of the engine block and cannot be replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Have heard this from others with varying mileage -- this might be an age-related issue instead of a mileage-related. Given it's 20 years old, can't fault Subaru much. Rather, just giving a heads up to others.
The Subaru boxer engine through 1997 is not an interference engine, meaning a timing belt breakage does not ruin the valves and total the engine. It's age and rarity make finding replacement parts much more difficult and time consuming. In this instance it was in the shop for over a week while a timing belt cover was shipped in from elsewhere.
This has been reported on SVX forums and I've seen others with the same issue. Sometimes the timing belt guide breaks, which is part of the engine block and cannot be replaced.
- Brad B., Overland Park, KS, US