Timing Belt

[2.5GT]

I bought the car at around 108k and wasn't too sure if the previous owner change the timing belt or not. now im at around 110k, so change it?

and its right behind the engine cover right?

[galek_98gt]

its not exactly an engine cover as its the timing belt cover. sure, change it, its close to 120k anyway. damn thinkin about it i'm at 113.7k and gonna need to do the same thing soon. just be sure to put placement markings on your cam pulleys so as to not create any trouble there. you are doing this yourself then?

[2.5GT]

the cover is right behind all the other pulleys and belts right in front of the engine right?

and i might consider doing this myself if i can.

[Durs845]

if you do decide to do it yourself , can you post pics + instructions im at 95 k and would like to replace mine eventually.does it pay to replace the waterpump at this time as well?

[Plays_with_Toys]

2.5, if you do you're going to have to be real careful. The SOHC models are real easy to do, but with the DOHC models like the 2.5, you risk the cam pulleys popping to the next setting and nicking the valves. If you don't own a chiltons and are attempting this, I would advise purchasing the manual and also looking up any relative articles on endwrench.

[Huffer]

does it pay to replace the waterpump at this time as well?

Yep.

[scottzg]

i just did the timing belt/waterpump/crank seal on my 90. here's some extra tips that should be fantastic when used in conjunction with the haynes.

take out your radiator. its only 2 bolts and its sooo much easier.

dont overtorque your timing cover bolts!!! its easy to strip the mounting thingies. the side covers have to come off first.

you can unbolt the crank pulley by putting a breaker bar on the chassis and on the bolt and tapping the starter. You can lock the engine to reinstall the bolt by sticking a screwdriver on the flywheel through a hole on the pass side of the engine.

turn the engine to tdc before removing the old timing belt. i marked the position of the cams with a marker.

once you put the new timing belt on, use some clamps to hold it in place on the pullies and cog.

remove the belt tensioner, stick it in a vice, and stick a pin through the hole on the piston. then put the tensioner back on, but dont tighten the tensioner mounting bolts- thats for later.

once you have vicegrips holding your belt in position, you can use a breaker bar on a cam pulley to get the slack out of the deal to get that fkn cogged pulley on.

I'm happy to be aim'ed for tips on this, seeing how i did it 400 miles ago, its still fresh in my noggin.

[Huffer]

If you buy a new tensioner, the pin and spring are already pre-set, and you just install, put the timing belt on, do up the bolts and pull the pin (literally).

The breaker bar + flathead screwdriver method to break the crank bolt free is great!

[2.5GT]

seems a reall hassle for a timing belt change. i'll see if i can tackle it or not, if not, then off the the subaru dealership :roll:

[PetterFan]

seems a reall hassle for a timing belt change. i'll see if i can tackle it or not, if not, then off the the subaru dealership :roll:

Expect to pay around $600 for parts/labor. At least that's what they charge at Tom Wood Subaru in Indy.

[AussieDan]

A few tips from the 2.5:

I made a tool to hold the crank pulley from a piece of 2x4 and some long bolts. Basically you drill 4 holes in the 2x4 that line up with the holes in the crank pulley, and put the 4 long bolts through them, so you can hold the pulley. Then drill 1 hole in the center big enough to put a 1/2" socket extension through. Now you can hold the 2x4 while you crank on the pulley bolt, without risking damage to the flywheel teeth.

On the ej25 there are 3 idler pulleys, leave the lower pulley off until you have the belt in position, this will give you enough slack to get the belt onto the pulleys easily. Once you have the belt in position you can install the idler easily.

I also pulled the driver's side valve cover so I could see exactly what the cams were doing, not necessary but it made me happier knowing that I wasn't opening intake and exhaust valves together.

There are great articles on timing belt replacement available free from subaru's EndWrench publication:

2.5 Liter Twin Cam Timing Belt Replacement (http://endwrench.com/main.php?smPID=PHP::article_detail.php&&RECID=184)
2.2 Liter Single Overhead Cam Timing Belt Replacement (http://endwrench.com/main.php?smPID=PHP::article_detail.php&&RECID=171)

[2.5GT]

whoo, thanks for the link man! :eek: