Subaru Repair: Forester leaking oil, subaru forester, timing belt

Question
QUESTION: My Subaru Forester is leaking oil. My mechanic said the cam seals have to be replaced along with the timing belt. The timing belt was just changed last year. What would be the average totoal cost for this repair? Is it really necessary to change the timing belt?
ANSWER: Hard to say, as labor rates are different all across the country. Next there are two different designs of the same engine ,About $500.00 or so for the 1997 to 6/1998 dohc.And $380.00 for the sohc found in cars built 6/98 to 2004.Not including the belt.But i wouldn't recommend not doing it.The belt is about $80.00 and not worth taking a chance on.Also a newer timing belt does a better job keeping the camshafts precisely in time with the crankshaft as compared to one that is even a little worn or stretched.Thus effectively keeping the engine running at its best and hopefully polluting less.

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QUESTION: Sorry for the follow-up question. We bought the vehicle in June of 1998, so I assume its the former. Labor rates here are about $75/hour, so the total cost of replacing the cam seals and the timing belt would be somewhere between $500-1000?. I must say I am a little perturbed that the timing belt will not  be covered under the warranty since its less than 12 months old. I do understand the importance of it. Subaru should send out some general notice to change the cam seals when one does have the timing belt replaced. It seems to be a too common a problem and I am not enjoying in essence paying for the same job twice in two years. Thank-you for your response.  

Answer
Did a Subaru technician work on it the first time? This next statement may make you cranky but I am trying to give you a shops perspective.Its very hard as a shop owner or service advisor to try and recommend cam seals that aren't leaking to you when the timing belt is done.Look no further than your statement about not wanting to replace a timing belt that is only a year old as to why its hard to convince most people of the importance of doing a complete job everytime.The reality is the timing belt really should be replaced any time it is removed especially if it has any time on it.If the shop replacing the cam seals doesn't replace the timing belt and 9 months from now there is a problem who is at fault?We try to convey at our shop the importance of doing the whole job,doing it once and doing it right.But we have a lot of customers that only want to do what is necessary and some that think you are trying to take them to the cleaners by replacing anything that is not leaking but may leak.It is truly difficult to know which customer you have in front of you and a lot of shops get gun shy.I absolutely agree that there should be clearer suggestions put out by the car manufacturer but it wont ever happen, as it would change the perceived cost of ownership upwards in publications and that would hurt new car sales.Any ways $500.00 to $700.00 is a better range for the DOHC 2.5l.For cam seals and t-belt.


Justin
All Wheel Drive Auto