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Hi there, I have a Subaru Outback 2006 2.5i 4cylinder (no turbo) with 94K and have to have my head gaskets replaced. I have the maintenance schedule here and it says drive belt is due in 96k (along with a lot of other simple stuff) and the timing belt is due only after 168k. Question is: is it easier (read less expensive) to get the timing belt changed together with the head gaskets because of the access to the engine, or is it totally unrelated and will it save me nothing? Also are there any other things that the dealer can look at/ replace while the HG are done? Thanksiwan
Country: CanadaMake: SubaruModel: Outback 2.5I LimitedYear: 2006Engine: 4cyl no turbo Already Tried: It's actually an Outback 2.5i Special Edition, but for the question that does not matter.
Welcome to JA! I am Carguy1 and I will assist you today.Hi there!I would do the timing belt. They have to remove the old one to do the head gaskets, so it will save you about 3 hours labor down the road.They can also look for any oil leaks from the cam and crank seals and oil pump while it's apart and solve them as well.The water pump is all metal so that isn't really a requirement at this time.But in a nut shell, yes, have the timing belt replaced. Most of the seals and stuff will be replaced when the job is done so there isn't a lot more to do. Also have the drive belts replaced at this time if they are cracked.Hope this helps!Thanks
Hi Carguy1 (nice name btw ;)),
Thanks for the answer. Just a follow up question about hours and cost. I was quoted $1700 (excl tax) for both left and right head gaskets, mainly because of the amount of work apparently. Could you tell me how many hours it would take to do both head gaskets and how many extra they could charge for the added timing belt? I read on another website that with the timing belt some other parts might have to be replaced. So basically the question is: hours for HG, hours extra for timing belt, and additional part costs for timing belt and other parts...
Thanks
Iwan
Ok, the book time for the head gasket is about 12 hours, so at $100 per hour, shop labor rate, looking at $1200 just in the labor.The remaining amount would account for the cost of parts and the fluids, oil, coolant and things of this nature, valve cover gaskets, spark plug seals,intake manifold gaskets and the new timing belt. All of this including the belt are included in that labor charge.See, since the old belt has to be removed to replace the head gaskets, the new belt should not incur any extra labor charges.If the water pump is changed, then it would add another hour to the labor, as well as resealing the oil pump or cam and crank seals. This they could charge extra labor for, but not more then an hour or 2.Hope this answers the question for you, if not, please reply again!
Ok, but with replacing the timing belt, a number of people said more parts were probably up for replacement (belt-tensioners etc), any idea's on that? How much would (part wise) the new belt with accessories, and the water pump set me back? (last question i promise ;))
Well, I personally wouldn't replace anything else unless required. The water pump yes, but not the pulleys. The tensioner perhaps.The tensioner would run about :$150 and the same deal, no more labor, the tensioner has to come off to do the belt.Water pump about $140, the labor should be no more then 1 hour for this. So that would add another $300 in parts and maybe another $100 in labor.The pulleys rarely go bad, but any they deemed needing replacement the labor should be very minimal on. Again, very fast to change with the belt off.Most of the 3 hour typical belt labor charge is getting to it. Not actually doing it. That is fairly quick and easy.
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