Gates thermostat for 2.2 in 97 Legacy?

[RH45]

I have a 97 Legacy, with the 2.2 engine that has about 100K on it that was having issues the other day with the heater temperature getting cold, and engine temperature running warm, just before the engine died.

I tried to re-start it, but, the engine sounded like it didn't have any compression which led me to believe that it may have been a timing belt issue. When I pulled the timing belt covers, ball bearings fell out. One of the idler pulleys was cocked, and without bearings. I tried to turn the water pump, which had also locked up.

I ordered a Gates, water pump, and timing belt set, which included the idler pulleys. I was going to use the original thermostat over, but, I don't think I can get it out of the water pump without damaging it.

I've read several threads here that say to use nothing but OEM thermostats, but, I haven't been able to find one locally, so I ordered a Gates that is SUPPOSED to be oem STYLE.

Will I be o.k. with this, or, do I need to order one from a dealer, and have it shipped in? :roll:

GATES Part # 34012 OE Type Thermostat; 170° Reverse Poppet (2 11/32" x 63/64" x 1 19/64") w/Jiggle Pin, 1 Seal

[jey]

Why can't you get the original thermostat out? Just a tiny bit of pressure with my screwdriver and it was out...

[RH45]

Why can't you get the original thermostat out? Just a tiny bit of pressure with my screwdriver and it was out...
I tried that, and it started to bend. I'm sure that I can get it out with a vise-grips, but, as TIGHT as it is, I'm pretty sure it will be mangled.

[04Wagoon]

We just put a grimspeed thermostat in my brother's 98 forester. When it fails, it fails open so it wont overheat your motor. I see no reason why you can't use it.

[$400OBW]

Hate to say it but I'm pretty sure the 97 2.2 is an interference engine so you may have more problems than you think. Not sure but I believe I read somewhere that some of the early 97's may be the same as the 96 and be non-interference engines. If you pull a valve cover and it has solid lifters with adjustable rockers it IS an interference engine. That means you most likely have some bent valves......

[LunchBox04V]

I have not used a Gates thermostat, but I have read the same reviews you have with people only saying to us OEM. I would agree with them. I had a shop put on two Gates hoses (Lower Rad and Coolant Bypass) that the coolant bypass was so much out of shape compared to OEM, it made the heater not work (90* hose, It was just 2-3" too long, so it kinked in the middle) I know the parts are different.... But if they can't make a hose the same length..... I would stay away from their products. Just my .02.

[Huffer]

OEM or nothing. Just order it online along with a few other maintenance items to help offset the shipping. Radiator hoses and oil filters are good. Maybe missing trim bits.

[$400OBW]

Not sure why no one else has picked up on the fact that you may have a lot more worries than what brand thermostat you buy. If it was me the last thing I'd be worrying about is an OEM thermostat. I've only worked on one Subaru, mine that I just swapped a 97 EJ22 into so I'm no expert but from everything I've read it's an interference engine which means damage to the engine if the belt breaks or jumps time. You may not have any compression because you have bent valves.

You need to see if and or how much damage you have to (at the very least) the valve train before you keep throwing money at it.........

[RH45]

I believe that it is the 2.5 that will hit valves if the valve timing is off, or, maybe I was just lucky, because I replaced a the timing belt,water pump(which wouldn't turn without a BIG pliers on it!) all the idler pulleys(one had no bearings, and was cocked) all the hoses, radiator, and the thermostat and it runs better than ever.

As far as the "Gates" brand, by-pass hose goes, it is listed as a "cut to fit". If somebody put the hose on, without cutting it to size first, I certainly wouldn't have that person ever work on any of my cars again.

[LunchBox04V]

Lol I didn't know that about the by-pass hose. Wow that makes me even more pissed at the shop. Thanks for the data. I am now 110% behind OEM parts.

[$400OBW]

I believe that it is the 2.5 that will hit valves if the valve timing is off, or, maybe I was just lucky, because I replaced a the timing belt,water pump(which wouldn't turn without a BIG pliers on it!) all the idler pulleys(one had no bearings, and was cocked) all the hoses, radiator, and the thermostat and it runs better than ever.

As far as the "Gates" brand, by-pass hose goes, it is listed as a "cut to fit". If somebody put the hose on, without cutting it to size first, I certainly wouldn't have that person ever work on any of my cars again.


I'm going to guess lucky because the 2.2's were interference engine after 96, all 2.2 and 2.5's were after 96. I did a lot of research on them before I did my swap, maybe it never jumped time.

Haha gotta agree about the Gates hose, shouldn't take a rocket scientist to see if it was a couple of inches long and had a kink in it to cut a couple of inches off.

Here's a list of Subaru interference engines. Of course these are all USDM engines, oh yeah I'm very glad everything worked out for you.

Year SUBARU engines Status
<1990 SUBARU engines were basically all non-interference
1990 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1991 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1992 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1993 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1994 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1995 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1996 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1996 SUBARU engine 2.5L DOHC phase I interference (valve to valve)
1997 SUBARU engines 2.2L and 2.5L DOHC phase I interference
1998 SUBARU engines 2.2L and 2.5L DOHC phase I interference
1999 SUBARU engines 2.2L and 2.5L DOHC phase I interference
1999 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II (Forester) interference
2000 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II interference
2001 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II and H6 3.0L EZ30 interference
2002 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II and H6 3.0L EZ30 interference
2003 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II and H6 3.0L EZ30 interference
2004 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II and H6 3.0L EZ30 interference
2005 SUBARU engines all interference
2006 SUBARU engines all interference
2007 SUBARU engines all interference
2008 SUBARU engines all interference
2009 SUBARU engines all interference
2010 SUBARU engines all interference
2011 SUBARU engines all interference

[RH45]

Thanks for the list!

Maybe my 1997 has a leftover 2.2 from 1996? It only has one cam on each side. It definitely had jumped time.