Dear Tom and Ray:
A few months ago, our local Subaru dealership determined that our Impreza needed a new engine, and that it would be covered by the factory warranty. Since the engine was replaced, we've put 7,000 more miles on the car. Now they say we need a timing belt. My question is, When the engine was replaced, wouldn't they have replaced the timing belt then?
-- Bill
Tom: Yes. The timing belt is considered an internal engine component. So a new timing belt would have come as part of the new engine.
Ray: So, there are two possible explanations. One is that they were basing their recommendation on the mileage of the car. Perhaps they just forgot, or hadn't looked up your records and saw that your engine has only 7,000 miles on it. It may be a repair they automatically recommend at certain mileage intervals. That's the innocent explanation.
Tom: The less-benign explanation is that they're trying to get back some of the money they spent giving you a new engine.
Ray: But start by giving them the benefit of the doubt, Bill. Remind them that you got a brand-new engine 7,000 miles ago, and see if they say: "Oh, right! You don't need a timing belt! Uh, how about a new transmission?"
(Car Talk is a nationally syndicated column by automotive experts (and brothers) Tom and Ray Magliozzi. Write to them at the Car Talk Web site.)
3 Comments
By Joe in Central NY on July 4, 2010 3:30 AM
Auto dealers Pay marketing Firms to forward Postcards and coupons, if you have been told to get a new timing belt by the same service writer who arranged your factory replacement engine, they may just be confuse about who's car they replaced the engine on and need your confirmation that you DO NOT NEED a timing belt with 7000 miles on your engine. I have to say, I have followed service manual recommendations to the letter or better i some cases for my 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLT with 6.0 L gas engine and with 270,000+ miles on it now, I know that the vehicles today are built to last, but like any other investment you need to take care of them. Not just put gas, oil and tires on them and expect them to last.
Just my opinion but I tire of hearing the pointless complaints of people who never take care of their cars and how bad a certain manufacturer is, when they really don't have a chance with any car cause they do not get them regularly serviced.
By CharlesYFarley,Caribou,ME,04736 on July 7, 2010 3:29 PM
Well put.
By julian on December 20, 2011 4:11 PM
this is exactly whats happening to me right now! hes about to call me back right now and im going to tell him hey David! whats the deal wouldnt they have put a new timing belt on when they installed the new engine! bogus!