Subaru Repair: 2004 Legacy 4cyl/4EAT : Timing belt & other engine mechanicals, belt tensioners, legacy wagon


Question
In 2004, I unwittingly steered my wife into purchase of a new Legacy wagon after a horrendously unreliable 1997 Volvo 850 experience.  Subsequent to warranty repair of the catalytic converter @50k and both driver's side headgaskets (only the internal one leaking...per service manager)@ 55k, I decided to take a closer look @ other Baru owners' experiences w/repairs & reliability.  Thank God I'm not in the 1998-2002 group!  After researching possible upcoming out-of-warranty repairs, I met w/our Svc.Mgr. to ask why  (after my asking him mid-HG-repair)he recommended AGAINST also replacing the timing belt and H2O pump.  I also asked why there was no mention of "inspecting" the T-belt @30/60/90k in the dealership's service booklet vs. Subaru's
own service/maintenance guidebook.  "Because we don't"  My why not received, in reply,"Because I've never seen a problem before 105k" (recommended T-belt replacement point).  All of this was delivered with a straight face and no hint of guilt.(He's been the SM for 2 years)  When I asked that this dealership then replace T-belt+H2O pump+ any other internals/belts/seals etc. I might want WITHOUT paying again for the labor to get to the point where the tech. was (when everything had been disassembled for the HG repair)and back to fully reassembled, he agreed without hesitation.  My amazement continued when he said, "No." to my "I'm sure you'll need to get an O.K. from the district Mgr." So in addition to the above parts, which of the following would you suggest that I add to the equation: Camshaft seal, passenger-side HGs, T-belt tensioners, T-belt idler, thermostat, front and rear crankshaft seals, Alt&PS belt, A/C belt?  Also should I trust them w/retightening the rear plate screws on the oil pump? Bear in mind, I'm ONLY (yeah, right) paying for these parts and the labor to install them with everything already apart.  Thank you for your good work and patience in this matter. P.J.

Answer
I hate it when people don't give you options. When I do headgaskets, I always give the option replacing everything at the same time. I'm assuming the headgaskets were done under warranty. The rest of the replacements would have been up to you, at your cost. But I do agree with the SM, that we don't see any problems with the t-belt before the 105k mark. We don't check the t-belt either with the services to help keep your cost down. The 30/60/90 mile service is already $400.00, and to add the t-belt check would add about $200.00 more. The only time we retighten the screws on the back of the oil is when the oil pump is actually leaking. I hope this helps. Any other questions or if I missed something, feel free to contact me again.