# 2000 Outback 2.5 Timing check

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-outback-2-5-timing-check/104227>\
**Category:** Buying/Selling\
**Tags:** outback, subaru\
**Created:** [May 22, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-outback-2-5-timing-check/104227 "2017-05-22T17:09:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dylannjoiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@dylannjoiner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dylannjoiner)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-outback-2-5-timing-check/104227/1 "2017-05-22T17:09:50Z")

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I’m a student looking talking looking to buy a used Outback that may be a steal, the only major problem is the seller says it jumped timing. I’m confident I can fix the timing if that’s the only problem. When I go see the car, what can I do to make sure the engine isn’t seized and is just off timing, so as to not waste my time and money?

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-outback-2-5-timing-check/104227/2 "2017-05-22T18:21:20Z")

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As a student this thing can’t be cheap enough. You could spend a small fortune and still not have a decent vehicle. Look elsewhere.

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**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-outback-2-5-timing-check/104227/3 "2017-05-22T18:33:18Z")

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That is an interference engine, the pistons will hit the valves if the timing belt breaks. If “jumped timing” means the timing belt broke, expect to need to replace the engine.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-outback-2-5-timing-check/104227/4 "2017-05-23T01:07:57Z")

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Agreed; and odds are this is a Craigslist deal with the seller knowing far more than they’re letting on.