If in fact your timing belt is making noise you need to find out why as soon as possible. Your new to you car has an interference motor, a timing belt issue can destroy the motor. Chances are you need to adjust the tension on the accessory belts. As to what to look for, just like any other old car, keep an eye on the oil level, check it every couple of days until you get familiar with the car habits. Look and fix fluid or exhaust leaks , check the brake pads for wear, make sure all the tires match and keep them properly inflated, inspect all hub bearings, inspect all bushings and ball joints etc, check the struts and springs, make sure the coolant is fresh, check the ignition components and replace them if questionable, install a new pcv valve, clean the maf sensor, check and replace the air filter element if dirty, check and replace the cabin filter if dirty, start fighting the rust as soon as possible, air your spare tire, it is probably best to always use original Subaru replacement parts but there are many exceptions, don't drink and drive.
Welcome!

Last edited by Rodman (2016-12-12 19:46:40)

ikbrown wrote:

I imagine that belt is your auxilary belt, not the timing belt. When does it squeal? How many miles are on it? Do you know what the previous service history was?

The big thing with subies in general is just to regularly check your oil. Most of us make it a habit to check every fuel-up. Due to the horizontal engine design (and valve cover gaskets, among other things) prone to have leaks, it's worth keeping up on. Running the engine low on oil is how most go kapooey.

I will let someone in the rust belt provide input on what to look out for there. No worry for that in sunny California. 

Most of the time I can hardly even hear the squealing over the actual engine, but for some odd reason it squeals loudest when I have the lights on. 88,000 Miles. According to the CarPROOF, it's been from Texas to Cali and back a lot, and at one point it was a rental car, and it was also bought and sold twice at car auctions.

It really is a solid car surprisingly, though. Zero rust, new brakes, tires and O2 sensors, and it was well maintained by the previous owner's father who worked on cars regularly as a pass time. Regular oil changes n all the rest of that.

It isn't a super loud annoying sqeal. It's just a sound I don't think it should be making.

It's the A/C tensioner pulley and/or glazed belts. 45 minutes, some basic hand tools, and two new belts and the pulley will have the squeal gone.

I feel like a complete moron thinking it was the timing belt lol. Yeah no, it was just the two drive belts which were cracked to hell, and after I replaced them earlier today, everything ran better than ever. Thanks for everyone's help! I'm glad I know better now