BC turbo Legacy Timing Belt replacement
At about 118k miles my timing belt broke. There were 16 teeth ripped off the belt and sitting in the bottom of the timing belt covers. Here's the run down...
This is not intended to be a step by step description, but a convenient reference for anyone facing the same project.
I decided to replace the water pump, but was unable to find the standard '91 Legacy turbo pump (21111AA026) locally. Since I was in a hurry I decided to buy the pump specified for the Impreza STi as I had reason to believe it would be compatible with my application. It's also a bit cheaper by $10 or so. Any car with the oil/water heat exchanger will require a pump with an extra nipple. It is also a good idea to replace the main crank seal. This requires removing the oil pump, so you should replace the o ring behind the oil pump at the same time. Since the oil and water pumps will be removed or replaced, you will be replacing oil and coolant. I had already replaced my accessory belts a couple thousand miles ago or I would have taken the opportunity to replace those, too. You might consider replacing the upper and lower radiator hoses since you'll be draining the coolant.
Parts List:
Subaru Timing Belt 13028AA102 $50-60
Subaru Timing Belt Tensioner 13068AA051 $90-105
Subaru STi Water Pump 21111AA240 $90-115
Subaru Thermostat Gasket 21236AA010 $3
Subaru Water Pump Gasket 21114AA051 $3
Subaru Front Main Crank Seal 806733030 $7
Subaru Oil Pump Rear O Ring 10991AA001 $3
Subaru Engine Oil Filter 15208AA100 $7
Subaru Oil Drain Plug Gasket 11126AA000 $1
Gates Upper Radiator Hose $11
Gates Lower Radiator Hose $11
Car Quest Thermostat $7
Car Quest Hose Clamps (quantity 4) $4
Prestone 50/50 antifreeze (2 gallons) $12
Castrol 10W-30 oil (5 quart bulk) $10
Permatex Ultra Grey RTV Sealant $6
Permatex Anti-seize $4
Tools:
Metric sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.
Long breaker bar.
PB Blaster.
Gear/pulley puller.
Spring clamps.
Cat litter box for draining radiator.
Resources:
FSM Scans-
http://www.bbs.legacycentral.org/viewto ... =fsm+scans
End Wrench articles-
http://endwrench.com/main.php?smPID=PHP ... &RECID=360
http://endwrench.com/main.php?smPID=PHP ... &RECID=171
-Torque specs:
oil pump bolts 5 ft./lbs
water pump bolts 7 ft./lbs.
idler pulleys 29 ft./lbs.
tensioner bolts 19 ft./lbs.
crank pulley bolt 75 ft./lbs.
Comments:
- The radiator is very easy to remove. Take it out, you'll appreciate the extra working space.
- The large bolt holding the large pulley on the crank is very difficult to break free. I used a long breaker bar resting on the frame just in front of the battery, then I just clicked the starter for a second to break it free.
- Use a gear puller to remove the large crank pulley, and the main crank sprocket. I bought a 4" puller at Harbor Freight for about $6. Be sure to get one small enough to fit between the pulley and the air conditioner condenser.
- Use spring clamps to hold the timing belt on the cam pulleys when installing the belt.
- Count timing belt teeth to make sure you have the proper alignment between the crank and the two cam shafts. 44 teeth between the passenger side cam timing mark and the crankshaft timing mark. 40.5 teeth between the drivers side cam timing mark and the crank timing mark. Then count them again to confirm. Count them a third time to give yourself some peace of mind before you start to reassemble all the parts.
- I took the opportunity to reposition the coolant fill tank while the engine coolant system was drained of fluid as I intend to install an intercooler this summer, I used a variation on the idea in this thread <
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=20468 >, but I added a small aluminum bracket to allow the tank to sit more evenly.
Overall it is a reasonably straight forward project, if a little daunting. This has been my most major solo repair job. I had assisted on one of these before, so I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting in to, but I personally turned every wrench on this one myself. I will say that my respect for the designers of the EJ series engines has been bolstered. Solid, reliable, and pretty easy to work on. It's a satisfying moment when you put everything back together, turn the key, and it starts right up just like the day before the belt broke.