I recently purchased my 1990 Legacy LS. It has 144K miles on it, and
I don't have the service records for it. My local Subaru dealer says
the timing belt should be replaced every 60K miles. They want $300 to
do the job.
Does anyone have experience replacing/not replacing their timing belt?
Thanks.
Timing Belt
Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators
-
Samuel Barrett
Timing Belt
Oh man. Do we ever have some experience... Just do a search on the archives.
This is one of those fundemental tasks to bigger jobs on our engines,
unfortunately I've become a little too familiar with this particular task. I
used to have the exact sockets and extension sizes needed memorized for this
one...
Cost of parts: ~$90.00 and about 2 hours if you get it right first try, if
not then add 2 hours for every time you get it wrong. If you are prudent,
and make all the right moves there's no reason for this to be a hard job,
even for a newbie.
If you are local to Seattle, WA. you might be able to convince me or Jason
to come over to your house and help if you're willing to cough up some grub
from Subway.:^D I can send you pictures too... I'll have to get them scanned
in so we can throw 'em up on the site.
If you get in a jam, feel free to PM me.
-=Sambo
P.S. A grease pencil and a breaker bar are very handy on this job. A torque
wrench that goes up to 120 ft/lbs will be necessary as well (although,
you'll only have to tighten the nut upto 100 ft/lbs, but that's a discussion
for another time.).
This is one of those fundemental tasks to bigger jobs on our engines,
unfortunately I've become a little too familiar with this particular task. I
used to have the exact sockets and extension sizes needed memorized for this
one...
Cost of parts: ~$90.00 and about 2 hours if you get it right first try, if
not then add 2 hours for every time you get it wrong. If you are prudent,
and make all the right moves there's no reason for this to be a hard job,
even for a newbie.
If you are local to Seattle, WA. you might be able to convince me or Jason
to come over to your house and help if you're willing to cough up some grub
from Subway.:^D I can send you pictures too... I'll have to get them scanned
in so we can throw 'em up on the site.
If you get in a jam, feel free to PM me.
-=Sambo
P.S. A grease pencil and a breaker bar are very handy on this job. A torque
wrench that goes up to 120 ft/lbs will be necessary as well (although,
you'll only have to tighten the nut upto 100 ft/lbs, but that's a discussion
for another time.).
-
Dan Adamson
Timing Belt
Yeah, definately replace it. It shouldn't be too hard to do it
yourself, but you must be VERY careful to set the sprockets correctly
or you will really mess things up. I would bet that someone told you
you'd ruin the engine if the belt breaks while it's running. The
reason behind that is that they don't know the specifics of your car,
and in some cars a broken timing belt can wreck the valves, pistons
and basically wreck the engine. This is because the piston, at the
top of the stroke, moves into the space that would be occupied by the
valve when the valve is open. This is a problem in a lot of Japanese
cars. The 2.2L boxer in your car does not have the 'valve
interference' problem, but it's still a good idea to replace the
timing belt periodically. If it breaks, you could still do some
damage to the car. If you don't want to get stranded somewhere and
you don't know how long it's been since the belt was replaced, then
better replace it right away. $300 sounds a little high to me, but
the book on this job is probably 3 hours and the parts about $50...
$300 still sounds expensive, they probably do a really really good
job or something
Good luck.
PS. I have not done this job on this specific car, but I've done it
on a Nissan and a Chevy. It is usually a PITA, and you have to be
meticulous and pay attention to details. Do not do this without
getting the repair manual for your car!
yourself, but you must be VERY careful to set the sprockets correctly
or you will really mess things up. I would bet that someone told you
you'd ruin the engine if the belt breaks while it's running. The
reason behind that is that they don't know the specifics of your car,
and in some cars a broken timing belt can wreck the valves, pistons
and basically wreck the engine. This is because the piston, at the
top of the stroke, moves into the space that would be occupied by the
valve when the valve is open. This is a problem in a lot of Japanese
cars. The 2.2L boxer in your car does not have the 'valve
interference' problem, but it's still a good idea to replace the
timing belt periodically. If it breaks, you could still do some
damage to the car. If you don't want to get stranded somewhere and
you don't know how long it's been since the belt was replaced, then
better replace it right away. $300 sounds a little high to me, but
the book on this job is probably 3 hours and the parts about $50...
$300 still sounds expensive, they probably do a really really good
job or something
Good luck.
PS. I have not done this job on this specific car, but I've done it
on a Nissan and a Chevy. It is usually a PITA, and you have to be
meticulous and pay attention to details. Do not do this without
getting the repair manual for your car!
-
yahoo@mintzer.com
Timing Belt
Hey, if you or Jason want to catch some sun and head down here to
Phoenix AZ, I would be glad to spring for food!
What's the worst I could do? If I really got the belt on wrong could
I damage the engine, or would it just not run correctly until I got
it right (I've heard that the valves will hit the pistons, and I've
heard that they won't hit).
If I can't damage the engine should I wait until my engine starts to
run funny (i.e. the belt may be wearing out), or should I just
replace it periodically?
I have a "Haynes Subaru Legacy" shop manual, but I bet your pictures
would really help. Let me know if you're going to post them, or if
you just want to email them to me.
Thanks for your offer to help.
Phoenix AZ, I would be glad to spring for food!
What's the worst I could do? If I really got the belt on wrong could
I damage the engine, or would it just not run correctly until I got
it right (I've heard that the valves will hit the pistons, and I've
heard that they won't hit).
If I can't damage the engine should I wait until my engine starts to
run funny (i.e. the belt may be wearing out), or should I just
replace it periodically?
I have a "Haynes Subaru Legacy" shop manual, but I bet your pictures
would really help. Let me know if you're going to post them, or if
you just want to email them to me.
Thanks for your offer to help.
-
Rod_
Timing Belt
the engine is a free spinning type and will not hit the valves if the timing
belt brakes......... my friends timing belt came off... after investigation,
the bolt fell out of the tensioner. it had not been tightened up ....
another thumbs up for dealers.... NOT!.
cheers, Rod in OZ
belt brakes......... my friends timing belt came off... after investigation,
the bolt fell out of the tensioner. it had not been tightened up ....
another thumbs up for dealers.... NOT!.
cheers, Rod in OZ
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yahoo@mintzer.com
Timing Belt
Yeah, I have heard that the pistons would hit any valves that were
open. I'm glad to hear a bad belt (or me putting a new belt on
incorrectly), won't ruin the engine. I guess the worst that could
happen is that I would have to re-align the sprockets and try again?
About the cost, they told me that for $300 I get the gold plated
version
Thanks for the advice.
open. I'm glad to hear a bad belt (or me putting a new belt on
incorrectly), won't ruin the engine. I guess the worst that could
happen is that I would have to re-align the sprockets and try again?
About the cost, they told me that for $300 I get the gold plated
version
Thanks for the advice.
-
yahoo@mintzer.com
Timing Belt
That's good to hear (well good to hear that I can't break the engine,
bad to hear that your friend had the problem with his engine).
bad to hear that your friend had the problem with his engine).
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Rod_
Timing Belt
i did try to talk him out of taking the car to a dealer..........
"but they're experts"........
ah well, now he knows.
rod
"but they're experts"........
ah well, now he knows.
rod
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Rod Grosvenor
Timing Belt
Hey there-where in Phx. are you? I`m up in Prescott Valley with my `92 wagon. Have you or are you connected with Azscooby? If not, it`s a great site for local Subie owners. Post me back---ROD
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yahoo@mintzer.com
Timing Belt
Hi, I live in Gilbert.
I recently purchased my 90 Legacy LS from someone in AJ.
I don't know about Azscooby. What is it?
I recently purchased my 90 Legacy LS from someone in AJ.
I don't know about Azscooby. What is it?
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Rod Grosvenor
Timing Belt
Hi-visit www.azscooby.com to get all the info. There`s a meeting/barbeque/going away party on Sun., 9/16 that 3 of us from the P.V. area will be attending. I`m going to meet the members for the first time then. Check out their website = the calendar for upcoming events. Talk to you soon---ROD
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limonoah
timing belt
One of my timing belt idler-pulleys seized up completely causing the
timing belt to be destroyed. I have been told that valves and or
pistons may have been damaged when this happened. Can anyone advise
me on what damage may have been done – cause I don't want to take the
heads off if its likely that nothing is wrong. Thanks in advance,
Noah
timing belt to be destroyed. I have been told that valves and or
pistons may have been damaged when this happened. Can anyone advise
me on what damage may have been done – cause I don't want to take the
heads off if its likely that nothing is wrong. Thanks in advance,
Noah
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Josh Colombo
timing belt
I'm assuming you have the 2.2 liter correct? If so you should be fine. I know the 2.2 N/A engine is non-interference......pretty sure the 2.2T is as well.....but I'd get someone else's confirmation too.
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Z1Auto@aol.com
timing belt
I wouldn't worry, all the 2.2's, turbo and non turbo, are non interference
Adam
Z-1 Performance
Adam
Z-1 Performance
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INCEv@webtv.net
timing belt
Noah
I had the same problem. The pistons and valves are fine!
**If the idler gear broke off the bolt and got loose you should look at
the crank gear. Look to make sure that it has all 6 of timing
points(very important).**
Dan
I had the same problem. The pistons and valves are fine!
**If the idler gear broke off the bolt and got loose you should look at
the crank gear. Look to make sure that it has all 6 of timing
points(very important).**
Dan
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limonoah
timing belt
Josh, Adam, Dan... thanks for the responce, but I have the 2.0 DOHC
turbo from Japan..any word on if that engine is non interference as
well? (maybe somebody from across the pond could shed some light?)
Noah
turbo from Japan..any word on if that engine is non interference as
well? (maybe somebody from across the pond could shed some light?)
Noah
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Rod_
timing belt
will be ok... the motor is 'free spinning' if the belt breaks...
cheers, rod.. in Oz
cheers, rod.. in Oz
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milehial2000
timing belt
The EJ20 is a non interference engine also and I believe all the SOHC
engines are. Most of the time non-interference is taken to mean that
the pistons will not hit the valves at any time even if the camshaft
stops turning or is out of sync. The 2.5 engines also fit ths
discription but the valves hit each other and are bent if this
happens.
AL(CO)
engines are. Most of the time non-interference is taken to mean that
the pistons will not hit the valves at any time even if the camshaft
stops turning or is out of sync. The 2.5 engines also fit ths
discription but the valves hit each other and are bent if this
happens.
AL(CO)
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milehial2000
timing belt
Missed that DOHC part! There is a good chance that you may have bent
valves the best way to check this is a leak down test where the
individual cylinders are pressurized and the rate of leakage is
compared. A standard compression test will not show the problem in
all cases
AL(CO)
valves the best way to check this is a leak down test where the
individual cylinders are pressurized and the rate of leakage is
compared. A standard compression test will not show the problem in
all cases
AL(CO)
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limonoah
timing belt
Sorry to bring up an old topic, but what symtoms would i see if any
of my vavles are bent? My car starts and idles like normal, but after
driving for a 30ish seconds the car wants to die and i have to give
it lots of gas to keep it running. Strange enough, after a min or so
it will go back to normal...is this a valve/timing belt problem?\
Noah
of my vavles are bent? My car starts and idles like normal, but after
driving for a 30ish seconds the car wants to die and i have to give
it lots of gas to keep it running. Strange enough, after a min or so
it will go back to normal...is this a valve/timing belt problem?\
Noah
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Josh Colombo
timing belt
Could be O2 sensor....or TPS or something......don't think it would be a bent valve....engine would run like crap all the time.
Josh
Josh
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Mark Ward_
timing belt
I cant believe it!
My timing belt let go today. Has anyone had this and how difficult is it to replace?
Mark
My timing belt let go today. Has anyone had this and how difficult is it to replace?
Mark
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ej22t_
timing belt
The timing belt on the EJ20 engine as same as the 98 Impreza DOHC
ej25 engine. I just replace it before I install the engine to my car!
BTW, why your timing broke ? How long have it on your engine??
Ben
ej25 engine. I just replace it before I install the engine to my car!
BTW, why your timing broke ? How long have it on your engine??
Ben