Subaru Repair: Subaru Forester, Subaru timing belt problem

Question
I bought a 1998 Subaru Forester 10 weeks ago.  On the list of "updated items" from the dealership was a water pump and tension belt.  Last week, the car totally died and it was discovered they  never changed the tensioner.  Is it common practice to change the tensioner with the belt?  The car has 93,000 miles.  The dealership has declined any responsibility so I'm stuck.
Thank you.

Answer
Doris, you are not stuck.

The timing belt procedure is to replace the belt and inspect all timing components, if the tensioner fails they did a poor job of inspecting the tensioner, we at our shop replace the tensioner 99.9% of the time to prevent this from becoming an issue, if it was done at a Subaru Dealership they know better or they at least should.

You will have some work to do but there is a specific test that is to be done to test the tensioner ask if it was done?

They do have some responsibility here but it will be up to you to be strong(not mean) to be able to get it handled.

Justin

www.allwheeldriveauto.com