legacycentral bbs

So I just put a new timing belt and water pump on my N/A 2.2 legacy. I also took off the oil pump and put in a new oil pump seal and o-ring. It all came back together just fine, but now I hear a very obvious, RPM dependent whining nose, most comparable to a jet engine or turbo charger comming from the general timing belt area, most audible directly behind the crank shaft pulley. But that is only, I think, because that is the only hole into the timing belt area where any sound will be heard the loudest.

Since the only part changed aside from the timing belt was the water pump, which was brand new, and there was no whining before, my guess is that it is the new belt being "broken in" to the used timing gears. Does this sound like a somewhat plausible explanation? If not, any suggestions on where else to look for the culprit?

Other facts: The engine runs fine, if not better than before the change, and the timing belt was a gatorback.

You're probably right, but did you check the bearings of the idler pulleys? They usually need replaced if the car has more than 100K.

Double check all your T-Belt covers to make sure they aren't rubbing on the belt, this was the case with my turbo legacy after I replaced the timing belt.

It was also brought to my attention that some aftermarket waterpumps will exhibit the whining noise I am describing. I bought mine from autozone. Anybody else have experience with these parts?

All idlers were in good shape. I will check timing cover clearance this evening just to make sure.

I am also expriencing some type of whining sound coming from the motor after the t belt install. I suspected it has something to do with the teeth of the timing belt needing some time to smooth out or break in. I also did not replace any idler pulleys or the belt tensioner because they seemed ok. all in all the motor runs fine though. just a weird whining sound. I lined the timing marks up wrong the first time I started it though. I thought maybe that had something to do with it?

I'm sure the new belt/old pulley combination contributes to the noise. I decided to remove the drivers side timing cover (closest to the water pump) to further investigate the noise. I saw no rub marks on the timing belt, and did confirm that the noise was comming from the water pump. That being the case, I'm not too worried, and to be honest I kind of like the noise.

Also got the chance to take care of the exhaust leak on the drivers side. That, combined with the new clutch I put in because the leaking plastic rear inspection cover dumped oily gunk on my old one, makes the car feel like brand new.

My recommendation is to use OEM parts.

More times then not, you can get OEM subaru parts for same cost as local parts store at www.subarugenuineparts.com

Can you run the car with both accessory belts removed just to verify it is from the tbelt?

YOU DONT NEED ANY ACCESORY BELTS ON AS LONG AS YOUR BATTERY IS DECENT, SORRY FOr THE CAPs