Timing Belt Luck?

[allsixesandsevens]

I've got a 96 Outback Legacy 2.5L with 193K miles, and everything I've
read seems to indicate that this is an interference type engine. (I'm
not sure if I have that correct or not...)

A week ago, I was crusing at about 75 mph when "thump", the timing belt
broke. The water pump had failed, which caused the timing belt to
snap. The timing belt cover got all cracked up, etc., and things felt
bad, as I was SURE there'd be all kinds of damage to the valves. BUT,
when my mechanic got down to it, it seemed that I only needed a new
water pump and a new timing belt. I have the car back now, and it's
running like a dream...

My question: did I get lucky here, and why weren't the valves damaged?


Thanks....

 

[Edward Hayes]

Super lucky I'd say because Subaru states that ALL 2.5L engines are of
the interference type.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Super lucky I'd say because Subaru states that ALL 2.5L engines are of
the interference type.

Could he have a 2.2 ?

I dunno

Carl

 

[Todd H.]

I've got a 96 Outback Legacy 2.5L with 193K miles, and everything I've
read seems to indicate that this is an interference type engine. (I'm
not sure if I have that correct or not...)

A week ago, I was crusing at about 75 mph when "thump", the timing belt
broke. The water pump had failed, which caused the timing belt to
snap. The timing belt cover got all cracked up, etc., and things felt
bad, as I was SURE there'd be all kinds of damage to the valves. BUT,
when my mechanic got down to it, it seemed that I only needed a new
water pump and a new timing belt. I have the car back now, and it's
running like a dream...

My question: did I get lucky here, and why weren't the valves
damaged?

Buy a lottery ticket now.

 

[hippo]

I've got a 96 Outback Legacy 2.5L with 193K miles, and everything I've
read seems to indicate that this is an interference type engine. (I'm
not sure if I have that correct or not...)

A week ago, I was crusing at about 75 mph when "thump", the timing belt
broke. The water pump had failed, which caused the timing belt to
snap. The timing belt cover got all cracked up, etc., and things felt
bad, as I was SURE there'd be all kinds of damage to the valves. BUT,
when my mechanic got down to it, it seemed that I only needed a new
water pump and a new timing belt. I have the car back now, and it's
running like a dream...

My question: did I get lucky here, and why weren't the valves damaged?

Thanks....

Isn't the 96 a 2.2? I think it was out here! If it *is* a 2.5, then
consider yourself blessed, because AFAIK 2.5s *are* interference engines.
Cheers