I have a 1992 Subaru Legacy Wagon.Told I need to replace the Serpentine Belt.If the belt should break before I have it changed,will the vehicle still operate?

hi yes ticking in early model subarus is very a common valve/lifter prob in most cases a decent oil change or anti ticking treatment can quieten it or stop the noise altogether however in some cases the noisy part may be damaged beyond repair and need to be replaced

Your car does have a serpentine belt, and it costs like $12.00 new. I had a friend of mine who was a mechanic, and he put mine in when it went bad for free. It didn't take him very long, so I'm not sure how that $700 estimate can be accurate. Even if you bought a belt at a store and paid $75/ hr labor at a garage it shouldn't over $100...It just doesn't take that long. You do need a specific tool for the belt tensioner, but Midas is trying to rip you off.

CLICK on the following LINK. It has the Belt Diagrams you will need.

If you would: Before Clicking: Let me know if this helped you, or if you have any additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com

The Timing Belt Marks for the Impreza Wagon and the Legacy Wagon will be the equal of the sportswagon au82motor you have.
http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1993/make/subaru/model/impreza/1993_subaru_impreza_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1993/make/subaru/model/legacy/1993_subaru_legacy_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm

there should bea bolt near the pulley that needs to be backed off. be careful or i may break.

Click on the following free direct Link. It has the Timing: Belt and Mark Diagrams for your 1992 Subaru Legacy.

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1992/make/subaru/model/legacy/1992_subaru_legacy_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm

The 2.5L engine has a timing belt and it should be replaced at 105K. The 3.0L engines have a timing chain and are not serviced regularly.

I think factory spec is 60,000 and if you go more than 100,000 you can expect a failure...
Hope this helps...;-)

They recommend timing belt changes on Subarus every 125K miles.

The water pump is run by the timing belt.Involves the draining the antifreeze,removing the radiator/condensor fan motors,harmonic balancer,alt./ac./p.s. belts, timing covers and timing belt.Along with a new pump,a new timing belt should installed.Timing marks are critical and it should be repairer by a garage.Should take about 1 to 2 hours or so to do if everything comes apart easy.Also there is no cap or rotor,only a coil pak.Hope this gives you a better idea.

1. Relieve the fuel system pressure.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler assembly.
4. On All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles, remove the rear differential assembly and the rear crossmember. You do not have AWD so this step is not for you
   
5. Remove the fuel filler cap and drain the fuel into a suitable container.
6. Remove the fuel filler pipe protector.
7. Raise and support the vehicle safely on jackstands.
8. Remove the fuel filler, air vent and delivery hoses.
9. On AWD vehicles, disconnect the air breather hoses and evaporation hose from the pipes.
10. Support the fuel tank with a floor jack or equivalent lifting device.
11. Loosen the attaching bolts and lower the fuel tank slightly.
12. Disconnect the fuel pump harness