I've owned a Subaru for 7 years and searched the internet for hints and tips .. your content is a breathe of fresh air.. great explanation on how to do things ..
Clear pronunciation, brief yet thorough & informative instructions, great attention to detail. Your honesty & transparency is very commendable. In short, very well edited videos. You are a sharp & intelligent terrestrial being. *Hat’s off* 👏
Could you imagine if there was about 10 more of you?! Just working and specializing on each vehicle brand! You make working on subarus so easy and understandable. You are awesome!!!
Just came back to this video to thank you. I purchased an aisin timing kit to throw on my jdm ej205 swap and while I've done timing belt jobs before, its always nerve wracking when you first start it up. In my case the first startup was 6 months after the timing belt job, and the car is running perfectly. Thank you again for your subaru videos in general!
I'm currently pulling the 2.5 in my '04 XT and have found your videos are the easiest to follow and very thorough. This is my first time pulling an engine, but you're really helping make the process so much easier. Thank you!!!!
After working in the factory at Subaru till I retired in 2016 in the engine plant, I have seen many engines assembled. Here in Lafayette Indiana, we built the Outback engines. Thank you for making this video, my Subaru's have all had a long life (over 300K miles).
Best subaru timing belt video on yt.. Im currently halfway thru valve cover seals, on my rex and im thinking I'll do the timing belt and water pump next paycheck..
Hi Luke just wanna say thanks for your great video! I've just done mine in my 98 Forester and it was so satisfying to complete. Your video was by far the best, easiest to understand, clear commentary and great footage! Pulling that tensioner pin was the best feeling at the end! Subscribed! Thanks again! Greg. Australia.
Thanks for this Luke! I just fitted a gates kit to my EJ253 and saw all this hate about Gates kits! Started to freak out that i made a big mistake. Glad to see you using it, hope it lasted ok.
Very detailed explanation. He is very careful when showing the marks on each component and the camera is very well focused and easy to understand . Thank you for your video , nice and profesional explanation 16:25
can't believe you haven't reach 100k yet with the great amount of information you're sharing with us. let me rephrase that, great amount of DETAILED information*. will definitely share your channel with others..
Thanks Luke , very well done . This is the first time I have seen your channel and was impressed with your straight talking no-nonsense approach. I have an 08 wrx hatch RHD with 106k klm and am doing the drive belts and I would consider doing the timing belt after seeing this excellent tutorial. Cheers from Australia
I have to say this is the best video I’ve ever watched on TH-cam it was informative cleanly done and it answered every question I could ever have on changing my timing belt I just bought a Subaru needed a waterpump a timing belt and I think it’s gonna be a good car if I hadn’t watch this video there’s some things that I would’ve never even thought of doing thank you I’m in I’m in beginner but I’m confident now that I’m gonna have a good car and it’s going to work things to this guy best ever
Fitted the kit yesterday.. Straight forward with your tips.. All worked out great, still dont like chinese idlers, but then again i saw many negative comments but nowhere anything that these idlers blew up... So i guess i will make sure to refit new kit in 80000km or so.
Pretty good video and very intuitive. I enjoy not having a shaking camera or all sorts of filler words like um or uh. Very good explanation of the timing system and the purpose behind the marks. Only thing I might add is the pull the spark plugs and turn the engine over four times by hand in the direction of travel to ensure nothing slipped or moved during the process.
Thank you for the video. The driver's side sprocket moved after I took off the old belt, and I can't get it to line up properly now. I turned the 17mm bolt and when it gets close to being lined up vertically, it turns like 30 degrees.
Really ;) 😅 built in Subaru video on timing belt change, could not really find it anywhere as hard as I thought. But not as confident to pull that pin out myself. Reallly good effort. All the best, happy Christmas.
I used the same Gates kit on my 2.5i Impreza couple months ago. I was worried about using the Chinese manufactured bearings that Gates has now started branding themselves but the quality was great so I decided I would give it a shot. So far so good. Tensioner never made any noise on initial start up which some people have complained about. Hope to get 100k+ out of them but time will tell = )
I want to thank you for this video. The problem in hydraulic tensor, making noise, but you be new. Watching your video elucidated me and cleared my doubts. The attentive to relation to assembly, such as born assembly, percebed your status at the mount of belt Congratulations on the videos and once again thank you very much.
Have you ever noticed the the plunger doesnt line directly up with the dowel pin that the tensioner pushes on? I was trying to zoom in but hard to see on your video
Impressed you decided to take the risk with the gates Chinese pulleys. I got scared and returned one of those kits when I saw China lol. Newly rebuilt ej257 so I didn't want to chance it.
Been doing my 2010 Subaru Forester in Australia, was having issues in getting the belt back on without disturbing the cam alignment. thanks for the tips :)
Tom Farrell 458 2 days ago Luke the the camshaft alignment tool worked on the right cam shaft pulley but my problem is the left cam shaft pulley that the tool doesn't work on. It keeps springing past the mark and has play back and forth. I did tighten the bolt but the pulley still has play back and forth. i can move it back and forth past the mark.
My friends 06 impreza has a leaking cam seal, thank you for the idea for loosening and tightening the cam sprockets. Well done on your videos, you have good camera work and you enunciate very well. I haven't worked on very many subarus and you have made them sound better than a bow tie. Thanks and any other tips would be appreciated.
Your videos are still helping people out. I just bought a 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5l sohc that needed a head gasket replacement. Thank God I found your videos because 1) I have never worked on a Subaru n 2) this is my first head gasket job. I have learned a ton from you. I have one question, my new timing belt didn't have any marks on it. Is the marks just for making sure it's aligned at each mark? Thanks again for the video.
I'm sure its right since you know what you're doing, but how come the line on the timing belt at 13:41 th-cam.com/video/JIU23Zhqwb0/w-d-xo.html doesn't line up with the notches on cam and plastic cover? Is it just the way the belt is designed?
Thanks for ALL the great help....just doing a quick re freash on a EJ253 ...pulled rockers and replaced valve seals only. followed all specs on the rocker install and head placement. BUT trying to now line up marks to install timing belt and the cam sprockets on both side are "stiff" and then seem to "spring" past the timing marks....what in the world did I do wrong? Didnt think there was a wrong way to install the rocker shafts? Thanks again
I did about a year ago actually! This was for a 2004 WRX (USDM) and it should be nearly identical to your 2002 WRX engine - TITLE OF THE VIDEO BELOW! Subaru DiY | DOHC Timing Belt Install [RSTi Build]
I've used rockauto gates timing kits for years with no failures yet. 1995 honda odyssey ex with 331,000 miles, 1998 honda prelude with 221,000 plus miiles, 1999 toyota rav4 with 249,000 miles and last 20p6 subaru sti with 141,000 miles.all good
One thing he didn't mention. There are two washers on either end of the belt tensioner bolt. When I removed mine I didn't notice the back washer dropped. It was only after I purchased a new one that I noticed the second washer.
I’ve done hundreds of Subaru timing belts and a shit load of head gasket jobs in my 20 years being a professional auto technician. I did the bleeding process on a bunch of them when I first started doing them years ago and never once was there any air in the tensioner you can tell if there is an issue with the tensioner when doing the procedure well I know I could because I specialize in engine work and literally do it every day. I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of these and haven’t done the bleed process since like the mid 2000’s. Subaru belts go on so tight when they are new the tensioner is just barley coming out, the tensioner does have a spring inside it that does hold the belt tight but obviously the hydraulic fluid doesn’t let the tensioner jump around or move quickly but again these belts go on so tight even before you pull the pin that belt isn’t going to jump time it just doesn’t have enough slack to even jump. If there was air in the tensioner it would work itself out sitting overnight then starting a few times. But regardless of any of this if you pull the pin, spin the engine over 2 times then check the tensioner to see if it’s holding and if it’s holding ur good. If there was air in it you would be able to move it but if there was not air it would be really hard to move because you can’t compress a liquid
How do I get the hash marks/ arrows on the camshaft pulleys in the 12:00 position? Surely manually rotating each pulley is harmful to the valves since these are interference engines...can I just route the belt and line up the belt marks with wherever the pulley marks currently are?
Look up the figure from the FSMs, you rotate each cam in a specific direction to line them up, one is clockwise and the other is counterclockwise, then lock them in place and install the belt. 👌
Why do the camshafts have two different pulleys? is that so they do not get mixed up? Do they have same seals behind both of them? Is there a special tool to use to remove the right camshaft pulley?
That cog pulley just flied into the place, didn't it :) I would like to add to this great video the following: 1. The belt's fit is very very tight, it stretches very little if anything and it's ribbed. 2. Hence, when you get it on on all the cogs, it gets divided into runs which can stretch only within the run 3. when you do the belt on the car, even if you remove fans, you do not have visibility of all the holes where the bolts go 4. all together you need to install 1 x tensioner, 1 x cog idler, 2 x smooth idlers, top and bottom ones. 5. when you are installing the idlers and the tensioner, you have to stretch the belt (some strength is required) and fit the holding bolt into the hole you don't see - and that is not easy. 6. you have to start the bolts with your hand to make sure it's square fit, otherwise the steel bolts will make some mess with your aluminium engine. So the above were just observations, and now are a couple of statements: 1. the cog pulley next to water pump and the tensioner are absolutely worst to fit in, so do them first. The OP fits the tensioner and the top idler first - that might not work for you, as the cog pulley is a dog to fit, being close to the water pump and not enough belt to stretch. And you don't see the hole, if you are doing it on the car, not when the engine is out on the stand like in this video. 2. After you have fitted the tensioner and the cog idler, install the top idler, as it's got nice long run of the belt to stretch, and then, the bottom idler, as it also has a nice long run to stretch. That is the only way that worked for me.
I have a 02 Impreza Outback with 216K miles. If you were to replace that timing belt would you also go ahead and replace the head gaskets? It is leaking oil from the driver side head somewhere but there is no sign of a blown head gasket in the oil or coolant. Thanks so much for the video.
One of my cam cogs does not want to sit at tdc. On forums i have read this is kinda normal. I don’t have the tool, i have seen posts where people get a breaker bar it when the dot is lined up and zip tie it in place to stop it springing out. This makes my but quiver a but, given i have basically been following the university of YT to get here. Any suggestions beyond the zip tie method (no tool) on keeping the cam steady to stay tdc/lined up?
I'm having trouble getting my passenger side cam sprocket to line up with the top mark. It keeps springing past the mark and has play back and forth. I did tighten the bolt.
Tom Farrell 458 - Sounds like you’re seeing something like this: feels like it’s spring loaded and doesn’t want to stay right on the vertical mark, basically keeps snapping back or forward a couple inches to an incorrect location? If that’s what you are seeing, it’s because the valve spring is being slightly depressed by the camshaft to align everything correctly. You need to hold that cam sprocket in place while you install everything. The easiest way is to use an aftermarket tool ($25 from amazon), one of my recent videos shows how to walk through the steps for the DOHC motor, which is basically the same. Hope this helps - good luck buddy! 👊
@@SubaruONLY Luke the the camshaft alignment tool worked on the right cam shaft pulley but my problem is the left cam shaft pulley that the tool doesn't work on. It keeps springing past the mark and has play back and forth. I did tighten the bolt but the pulley still has play back and forth. i can move it back and forth past the mark.
Is it my understanding that you don't replace the crankshaft cog sprocket during a full replacement of a timing kit? Does this center cog sprocket not have a bearing also?
You never showed how you got the cog pully on. I tried doing it just like this with the same gates kit and it doesn't seem like there's enough slack to get the cog pully bolt to line up. I was hoping to see the trick to getting that on
Thank you bro... you got a new subscriber to see about DIY Subaru... I have a Subaru Forester 04 with EZ25 engine... 2.5 I had have change the engine for new one with only 35k from japan around 170k miles.... and now runs like new....
What’s the orange thing that comes with the Gates kit for? Thought I heard it was for automatic transmissions in another video but Idk how thats possible.
08 outback my heating system is working properly due to the bottom radiator clap broke all fluid leaks out bleed the system, flush heater core fans and vent working but not getting heat in side the car what should I do to fixs
Is it possible to get the timing 180 degrees out of phase? I did a rebuild and reinstalled. The engine ran, but idled low and set off the CEL. I even pulled it down and checked the marks. After a week of trying everything, I pulled the engine, and using a compression gauge, I reset the timing. No issues and runs great.
+Michael Riley - Glad to hear its working now!! So, the cams can indeed be timing 180 degrees (or and variation) off - for sure. There's only one way the crank gear can be installed, but there's nothing preventing you from setting those cams at the wrong degree. Sounds like you figured it out - NICE 👍👍
How do you properly set the timing belt shield. I watched part 1 and this video. You removed it but didn’t show the reinstall. I know gates has a shim for setting it but, what would be the best way without that shim.
Ahh. Good question. For curved surfaces, use thin wire that is the same diameter as the thickness the spacing should be. Got to do some searching and measuring but you’ll find the right thickness and then just lay it down. Super easy.
Changed timing belt and water pump on my 95subaru legacy and now have a miss when its running. When the belt was off i think the pully on the right hand side turned forword and I turned it back not sure if I got it lined up just right. Any suggestions?
Yes, only one option - pull the timing cover off and reset the timing belt. The cam pulleys and crank pulley have little marks to ensure correct alignment, line up those marks and everything should be good. The FSM (factory service manual) will show you the steps and alignment - you can get it on my website for free (SubaruONLY.com) - cheers!!! 👊
I'm following this procedure and I'm stuck at an inability to get the cogged idler in place and the threads of the bolt started (engine in place) I'm certain I haven't missed a rib and everything's lined up and taut on top but I can't get that extra bit of give. any tricks on this step? pls advise
Wish I saw this video before I attempted my gates kit install. I didn't put that cog pully on last and man was the belt a headache to install. Tensioner was made in Canada which surprised me. Bled it anyway to be safe. All the bearings were Chinese which was an insane let down. But 2000km or 1200 miles later and she's still running fine. Only time will tell though . 😁
Great video & very informative, thank you. Also thanks for clearly stating & repeating those torque specs & saving us all like 3 additional google searches! Only note I would make is this: If you flip the installation order of those last two pulleys, ie Do the 2nd smooth one [lower left] before the 2nd toothed one [lower right] - you'll find you dont have to fight the tension on the belt nearly as much.. thanks again👍
@@SubaruONLY Thank you and I really like your explanations on the "timing" and that Subaru made it easier for us make the timing right . What if for example I removed the timing belt w/o aligning the 3 markings? Can I just rotate them one by one and align the 3 markings in 12 o clock up right positions like you show in the video? Is there any danger to this?
Happy it helped! If you remove the belt without lining up the mark before hand you can potentially damage the valves (in most modern Subaru engines with “interference” designs, meaning the valves can contact the piston if they open at the wrong time). However, if the belt pops off or is removed by accident before lining everything up (when the engine is NOT running), you are most often fine and can rotate each one by hand into the right position. Rotate the crank pulley and upper cam pulleys (ie the intake cams) clockwise to align and the lower cam pulleys (ie exhaust cams) in the counter clockwise direction. Check this image for ref: images.app.goo.gl/q5e59DPyfgaUxdKRA
+Lou Blaty Hey man. Thanks for dropping the question. Sounds like one of the cog pulleys is not aligned quite right and it’s pushing that belt off. Might be bad bearing causing it to sag or bolt is cross-threaded and not holding pulley flat. If all pulleys are aligned that belt should only want to stay on that centerline plane.
Does the engine need to be removed to be able to do this? Obviously, it would make it easier. But can I just do it under the hood? I also have to do the head gasket. Leaking and stinking like oil. 300 000 km without ever having done the belt....YIKES!
This note wasn't in the timing belt kits that I used, both times i worked on these engines, where they skipped a tooth! They only skipped when the engine ran as they were perfectly on the marks aftet two rotations. So annoying!
I bought a timing belt kit online new but the timing belt does not have any lines for the cams or the crank how am I going to be for certain if I got the right amount of space teeth between the cams and the crank please respond soon for I am baffled
Just a note here - wouldn't you do the water pump as well? while the cover is off? seems like a good practice I would do being that its driven by the timing belt but great info as I'll need points of reference for my Subaru Forester when it comes time to replace my belt.
Any reason why the passenger side cam sprocket is plastic and the driver side sprocket is metal. Reason I’m asking because yesterday my passenger side plastic sprocket somehow came off while driving and almost went all the way through the timing cover...
I have watched bunch of videos on this topic. My Haynes manual says to put the engine in TDC for #1 to put on the new belt. I did that. So I"m putting on the belt, and some other videos say that you can slightly loosen the belt by turning the cam pulleys to install various idlers. When I do that, if I turn the right side cam pulley a little, it flips counter clockwise about 180 degrees. These people do the timing belt with all the pistons down, so maybe that is not TDC, because at TDC one piston is fully up. Any thoughts?
I've owned a Subaru for 7 years and searched the internet for hints and tips .. your content is a breathe of fresh air.. great explanation on how to do things ..
+Eric Pooley Dude - Thanks. Working on something big to take this to the next level. Please keep an eye out for more videos soon!!!
I watched this video the first time I did my timing belt and now I'm watching it to do my TB for the second time. Best Subaru TB tutorial on YT!
Best explanation on how to route timing belt out of all the videos watched!
Thanks buddy - cheers!!! 🍻
Clear pronunciation, brief yet thorough & informative instructions, great attention to detail. Your honesty & transparency is very commendable. In short, very well edited videos. You are a sharp & intelligent terrestrial being. *Hat’s off* 👏
Could you imagine if there was about 10 more of you?! Just working and specializing on each vehicle brand! You make working on subarus so easy and understandable. You are awesome!!!
Thanks man!! Cheers!! 👊
good work man best Subaru installation process on youtube took the time and effort to go throught everything. Greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!! Really appreciate the kind words man!!! Cheers! 🤙🤙
D best no doubt muy bueno
Just came back to this video to thank you. I purchased an aisin timing kit to throw on my jdm ej205 swap and while I've done timing belt jobs before, its always nerve wracking when you first start it up. In my case the first startup was 6 months after the timing belt job, and the car is running perfectly. Thank you again for your subaru videos in general!
I'm currently pulling the 2.5 in my '04 XT and have found your videos are the easiest to follow and very thorough. This is my first time pulling an engine, but you're really helping make the process so much easier. Thank you!!!!
Did it work out for you?
After working in the factory at Subaru till I retired in 2016 in the engine plant, I have seen many engines assembled. Here in Lafayette Indiana, we built the Outback engines. Thank you for making this video, my Subaru's have all had a long life (over 300K miles).
Just paid off an 09 impreza. Tine to use payment offset for a tune up. The comments in this one video alone gets you a subscriber.
Congrats and Cheers buddy! 🍻
Binder clips are beyond simple and almost fool proof. Thank you!
Best subaru timing belt video on yt.. Im currently halfway thru valve cover seals, on my rex and im thinking I'll do the timing belt and water pump next paycheck..
Thanks!!! 👊
just found this channel, Bro you're such an amazing resource for us DIY mechanics
Hi Luke just wanna say thanks for your great video! I've just done mine in my 98 Forester and it was so satisfying to complete. Your video was by far the best, easiest to understand, clear commentary and great footage! Pulling that tensioner pin was the best feeling at the end! Subscribed! Thanks again! Greg. Australia.
Thanks for this Luke! I just fitted a gates kit to my EJ253 and saw all this hate about Gates kits! Started to freak out that i made a big mistake. Glad to see you using it, hope it lasted ok.
Very detailed explanation.
He is very careful when showing the marks on each component and the camera is very well focused and easy to understand . Thank you for your video , nice and profesional explanation 16:25
Thanks so much man! Your video is so clear, I don't understand why it doesn't get more views...
can't believe you haven't reach 100k yet with the great amount of information you're sharing with us. let me rephrase that, great amount of DETAILED information*. will definitely share your channel with others..
Thanks Luke , very well done . This is the first time I have seen your channel and was impressed with your straight talking no-nonsense approach. I have an 08 wrx hatch RHD with 106k klm and am doing the drive belts and I would consider doing the timing belt after seeing this excellent tutorial. Cheers from Australia
Awesome man. Cheers! 👍👍
I have to say this is the best video I’ve ever watched on TH-cam it was informative cleanly done and it answered every question I could ever have on changing my timing belt I just bought a Subaru needed a waterpump a timing belt and I think it’s gonna be a good car if I hadn’t watch this video there’s some things that I would’ve never even thought of doing thank you I’m in I’m in beginner but I’m confident now that I’m gonna have a good car and it’s going to work things to this guy best ever
Fitted the kit yesterday.. Straight forward with your tips.. All worked out great, still dont like chinese idlers, but then again i saw many negative comments but nowhere anything that these idlers blew up... So i guess i will make sure to refit new kit in 80000km or so.
Nice. Good to hear buddy. 👍
Perfect instruction best i have seen so far, even if you do not have a subaru as yet, worth the watch :-)
Thanks big time man!!! Cheers!!! 🍻
Excellent video. Clear explanation that is easy to understand. Love the surgical precision of your videos. (Notice the caduceus tattoo.)
Pretty good video and very intuitive. I enjoy not having a shaking camera or all sorts of filler words like um or uh. Very good explanation of the timing system and the purpose behind the marks. Only thing I might add is the pull the spark plugs and turn the engine over four times by hand in the direction of travel to ensure nothing slipped or moved during the process.
100% good - no, GREAT advice! Thanks for sharing!!! 👊
Thank you for the video. The driver's side sprocket moved after I took off the old belt, and I can't get it to line up properly now. I turned the 17mm bolt and when it gets close to being lined up vertically, it turns like 30 degrees.
Really ;) 😅 built in Subaru video on timing belt change, could not really find it anywhere as hard as I thought. But not as confident to pull that pin out myself. Reallly good effort. All the best, happy Christmas.
These videos on the SOHC 2.5 are very helpful to me, I own a 07 Impreza, my baby, Peace
I used the same Gates kit on my 2.5i Impreza couple months ago. I was worried about using the Chinese manufactured bearings that Gates has now started branding themselves but the quality was great so I decided I would give it a shot. So far so good. Tensioner never made any noise on initial start up which some people have complained about. Hope to get 100k+ out of them but time will tell = )
+Brad D Nice. Me too. All good so far.
Never used Chinese shit
Awesome video and tips! Much appreciated, this is all I needed, they don't put these tricks in the Haynes book haha
I want to thank you for this video. The problem in hydraulic tensor, making noise, but you be new. Watching your video elucidated me and cleared my doubts. The attentive to relation to assembly, such as born assembly, percebed your status at the mount of belt
Congratulations on the videos and once again thank you very much.
Great to hear!!! You got this - good luck!! 🤙
I am doing the timing kit replacement in a parking lot, how would I go about that compression sequence without a vice?
Hmm. That’s a tricky one buddy. Gonna have to use something in place of it.
Don’t know if you did this already but you could definitely just put the vice on the ground
Have you ever noticed the the plunger doesnt line directly up with the dowel pin that the tensioner pushes on? I was trying to zoom in but hard to see on your video
I like your idea with the binder clips, but I found that one inch C clamps snugged up but not overtightened are more secure.
Subbed. Great info! Just made my first major financial mistake, bought my 09 wrx at 96k miles. Gonna be watching a lot more of these vids lol
Don’t feel bad. I’m right there with you!!
lol, glad you found my channel, hope these vids help! 👊
Nicely done! Thank you for taking the time to make this video! I learned something new.
Impressed you decided to take the risk with the gates Chinese pulleys. I got scared and returned one of those kits when I saw China lol. Newly rebuilt ej257 so I didn't want to chance it.
Good call! 👊
So how would I tighten the driver upper pulley with the old belt. Thanks for a great vi
Been doing my 2010 Subaru Forester in Australia, was having issues in getting the belt back on without disturbing the cam alignment. thanks for the tips :)
What would you do if the belt doesn't have those 3 lines ?
changed my first timing belt kit on my 99 impreza followed the steps in the video worked out great thanks luke great video
Tom Farrell 458
2 days ago
Luke the the camshaft alignment tool worked on the right cam shaft pulley but my problem is the left cam shaft pulley that the tool doesn't work on. It keeps springing past the mark and has play back and forth. I did tighten the bolt but the pulley still has play back and forth. i can move it back and forth past the mark.
My friends 06 impreza has a leaking cam seal, thank you for the idea for loosening and tightening the cam sprockets. Well done on your videos, you have good camera work and you enunciate very well. I haven't worked on very many subarus and you have made them sound better than a bow tie. Thanks and any other tips would be appreciated.
great diy video . I think all of Luke's videos are good.
+James Reichert Thanks Man. This is becoming a LABOR of LOVE, that's for sure. 👍👍
SubaruONLY that's cool bro, love what u do and what u do will love u
Impressive video. My mechanic shop wants 1400 bucks to do this. Gonna give it a try myself.
Awesome! 👍
Hay I just want to say your video really helped me do a 04 legacy thanks
Awesome - thank you!!!
Thanks for this, you’re a lifesaver.
Your videos are still helping people out. I just bought a 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5l sohc that needed a head gasket replacement. Thank God I found your videos because 1) I have never worked on a Subaru n 2) this is my first head gasket job. I have learned a ton from you. I have one question, my new timing belt didn't have any marks on it. Is the marks just for making sure it's aligned at each mark? Thanks again for the video.
I'm sure its right since you know what you're doing, but how come the line on the timing belt at 13:41 th-cam.com/video/JIU23Zhqwb0/w-d-xo.html doesn't line up with the notches on cam and plastic cover? Is it just the way the belt is designed?
Thanks for ALL the great help....just doing a quick re freash on a EJ253 ...pulled rockers and replaced valve seals only. followed all specs on the rocker install and head placement. BUT trying to now line up marks to install timing belt and the cam sprockets on both side are "stiff" and then seem to "spring" past the timing marks....what in the world did I do wrong? Didnt think there was a wrong way to install the rocker shafts? Thanks again
Can you do one for the 02 Subaru Impreza
I did about a year ago actually! This was for a 2004 WRX (USDM) and it should be nearly identical to your 2002 WRX engine - TITLE OF THE VIDEO BELOW!
Subaru DiY | DOHC Timing Belt Install [RSTi Build]
I've used rockauto gates timing kits for years with no failures yet. 1995 honda odyssey ex with 331,000 miles, 1998 honda prelude with 221,000 plus miiles, 1999 toyota rav4 with 249,000 miles and last 20p6 subaru sti with 141,000 miles.all good
Very nice and informative. To be safe I do two full revolutions on crank by hand and double check timing marks
Any suggestions to hold both driver side pulleys while putting belt on
One thing he didn't mention. There are two washers on either end of the belt tensioner bolt. When I removed mine I didn't notice the back washer dropped. It was only after I purchased a new one that I noticed the second washer.
I can't wait for the new stuff . I need help with my build
Dam! So much details! Love it bro! About to do mines this month!
Nice 👍 good luck man!
My Subaru OEM belt only has one single line on it. Any suggestions on how I make the two Cam gear lines? 2002 ej25 SOHC
Not really, but it’s not really needed. Just make sure the crank and cam gears are in the right locations. 👍👍
I’ve done hundreds of Subaru timing belts and a shit load of head gasket jobs in my 20 years being a professional auto technician. I did the bleeding process on a bunch of them when I first started doing them years ago and never once was there any air in the tensioner you can tell if there is an issue with the tensioner when doing the procedure well I know I could because I specialize in engine work and literally do it every day. I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of these and haven’t done the bleed process since like the mid 2000’s. Subaru belts go on so tight when they are new the tensioner is just barley coming out, the tensioner does have a spring inside it that does hold the belt tight but obviously the hydraulic fluid doesn’t let the tensioner jump around or move quickly but again these belts go on so tight even before you pull the pin that belt isn’t going to jump time it just doesn’t have enough slack to even jump. If there was air in the tensioner it would work itself out sitting overnight then starting a few times. But regardless of any of this if you pull the pin, spin the engine over 2 times then check the tensioner to see if it’s holding and if it’s holding ur good. If there was air in it you would be able to move it but if there was not air it would be really hard to move because you can’t compress a liquid
how so you know where the position of the tensioner pulls goes as it only has the one bolt and doesn't have a fixed positioning
How do I get the hash marks/ arrows on the camshaft pulleys in the 12:00 position? Surely manually rotating each pulley is harmful to the valves since these are interference engines...can I just route the belt and line up the belt marks with wherever the pulley marks currently are?
Look up the figure from the FSMs, you rotate each cam in a specific direction to line them up, one is clockwise and the other is counterclockwise, then lock them in place and install the belt. 👌
Shoulld I have to move one cam socket against valve spring tension to align timing marks on 2001 subaru EJ251 motor.I have not tried to start.
Why do the camshafts have two different pulleys? is that so they do not get mixed up? Do they have same seals behind both of them? Is there a special tool to use to remove the right camshaft pulley?
I bleed the new tensioner from Japan as instructed
Hwever works intermittently
Any suggestions. ....?
Hmmm. Sorry to hear. Try bleeding again maybe?
Luke!! You're a g-d send!!
Thank you, so much!
BTW, are you a physician? Whats up with the Caduceus?
Thank you for the clear instructions and info. I am going to do this in a few days.
Thanks for the video. I was having trouble with my getting my Outback belt on. Doing the tips in your video I was able to get the new belt on.
Awesome - stoked it helped!! 🤙
I have a question, before taking off the old belt, if I spin the crank to align the marks and somehow they don't what is the best next step? Thanks
That cog pulley just flied into the place, didn't it :)
I would like to add to this great video the following:
1. The belt's fit is very very tight, it stretches very little if anything and it's ribbed.
2. Hence, when you get it on on all the cogs, it gets divided into runs which can stretch only within the run
3. when you do the belt on the car, even if you remove fans, you do not have visibility of all the holes where the bolts go
4. all together you need to install 1 x tensioner, 1 x cog idler, 2 x smooth idlers, top and bottom ones.
5. when you are installing the idlers and the tensioner, you have to stretch the belt (some strength is required) and fit the holding bolt into the hole you don't see - and that is not easy.
6. you have to start the bolts with your hand to make sure it's square fit, otherwise the steel bolts will make some mess with your aluminium engine.
So the above were just observations, and now are a couple of statements:
1. the cog pulley next to water pump and the tensioner are absolutely worst to fit in, so do them first.
The OP fits the tensioner and the top idler first - that might not work for you, as the cog pulley is a dog to fit, being close to the water pump and not enough belt to stretch.
And you don't see the hole, if you are doing it on the car, not when the engine is out on the stand like in this video.
2. After you have fitted the tensioner and the cog idler, install the top idler, as it's got nice long run of the belt to stretch, and then, the bottom idler, as it also has a nice long run to stretch.
That is the only way that worked for me.
So it's been 2 years now how did the kit hold up really interesting on how it did
C
Well I'm running this set up and we will see how it does at 300whp and 300 wtq
👍
I have a 02 Impreza Outback with 216K miles. If you were to replace that timing belt would you also go ahead and replace the head gaskets? It is leaking oil from the driver side head somewhere but there is no sign of a blown head gasket in the oil or coolant. Thanks so much for the video.
One of my cam cogs does not want to sit at tdc. On forums i have read this is kinda normal. I don’t have the tool, i have seen posts where people get a breaker bar it when the dot is lined up and zip tie it in place to stop it springing out. This makes my but quiver a but, given i have basically been following the university of YT to get here. Any suggestions beyond the zip tie method (no tool) on keeping the cam steady to stay tdc/lined up?
I'm having trouble getting my passenger side cam sprocket to line up with the top mark. It keeps springing past the mark and has play back and forth. I did tighten the bolt.
Tom Farrell 458 - Sounds like you’re seeing something like this: feels like it’s spring loaded and doesn’t want to stay right on the vertical mark, basically keeps snapping back or forward a couple inches to an incorrect location? If that’s what you are seeing, it’s because the valve spring is being slightly depressed by the camshaft to align everything correctly. You need to hold that cam sprocket in place while you install everything. The easiest way is to use an aftermarket tool ($25 from amazon), one of my recent videos shows how to walk through the steps for the DOHC motor, which is basically the same. Hope this helps - good luck buddy! 👊
@@SubaruONLY Luke the the camshaft alignment tool worked on the right cam shaft pulley but my problem is the left cam shaft pulley that the tool doesn't work on. It keeps springing past the mark and has play back and forth. I did tighten the bolt but the pulley still has play back and forth. i can move it back and forth past the mark.
this is a 2002 forester. Thanks
Is it my understanding that you don't replace the crankshaft cog sprocket during a full replacement of a timing kit? Does this center cog sprocket not have a bearing also?
You never showed how you got the cog pully on. I tried doing it just like this with the same gates kit and it doesn't seem like there's enough slack to get the cog pully bolt to line up. I was hoping to see the trick to getting that on
Hey bud. What about if the marks don’t line up on the right side for the cam gears? How would I line it up? Is there a way to line it? Thanks!
Wow awesome im ready n feels conf after watching this.
Should I Change my camshaft seals while I'm changing this? I have a dohc and not wanting to ruin my engine
Thank you bro... you got a new subscriber to see about DIY Subaru... I have a Subaru Forester 04 with EZ25 engine... 2.5 I had have change the engine for new one with only 35k from japan around 170k miles.... and now runs like new....
Legit. Thanks for checking out the videos buddy. More to come for sure!!! 👊
Like your style of instruction
Doing my 1st Suby 02 Impreza 2.5
Head gaskets and timing belt
Plus this and that too.
Thanks man! 👍
What causes a misfire on cylinder number two I need Subaru legacy with a 2.5
What’s the orange thing that comes with the Gates kit for? Thought I heard it was for automatic transmissions in another video but Idk how thats possible.
I car engine won't start any more after I replaced the water pump. Where did I go wrong?
lol. too vague....
Very good step by step! Great job.
08 outback my heating system is working properly due to the bottom radiator clap broke all fluid leaks out bleed the system, flush heater core fans and vent working but not getting heat in side the car what should I do to fixs
Is it possible to get the timing 180 degrees out of phase? I did a rebuild and reinstalled. The engine ran, but idled low and set off the CEL. I even pulled it down and checked the marks. After a week of trying everything, I pulled the engine, and using a compression gauge, I reset the timing. No issues and runs great.
+Michael Riley - Glad to hear its working now!! So, the cams can indeed be timing 180 degrees (or and variation) off - for sure. There's only one way the crank gear can be installed, but there's nothing preventing you from setting those cams at the wrong degree. Sounds like you figured it out - NICE 👍👍
How do you properly set the timing belt shield. I watched part 1 and this video. You removed it but didn’t show the reinstall. I know gates has a shim for setting it but, what would be the best way without that shim.
Ahh. Good question. For curved surfaces, use thin wire that is the same diameter as the thickness the spacing should be. Got to do some searching and measuring but you’ll find the right thickness and then just lay it down. Super easy.
Changed timing belt and water pump on my 95subaru legacy and now have a miss when its running. When the belt was off i think the pully on the right hand side turned forword and I turned it back not sure if I got it lined up just right. Any suggestions?
Yes, only one option - pull the timing cover off and reset the timing belt. The cam pulleys and crank pulley have little marks to ensure correct alignment, line up those marks and everything should be good. The FSM (factory service manual) will show you the steps and alignment - you can get it on my website for free (SubaruONLY.com) - cheers!!! 👊
@@SubaruONLY Thank you
👊
@@SubaruONLY that work had it off more than one its running great now 👍
Awesome!!! 👊
I'm following this procedure and I'm stuck at an inability to get the cogged idler in place and the threads of the bolt started (engine in place) I'm certain I haven't missed a rib and everything's lined up and taut on top but I can't get that extra bit of give. any tricks on this step? pls advise
i got it 👍
Wish I saw this video before I attempted my gates kit install.
I didn't put that cog pully on last and man was the belt a headache to install.
Tensioner was made in Canada which surprised me. Bled it anyway to be safe.
All the bearings were Chinese which was an insane let down. But 2000km or 1200 miles later and she's still running fine. Only time will tell though . 😁
Great video & very informative, thank you. Also thanks for clearly stating & repeating those torque specs & saving us all like 3 additional google searches!
Only note I would make is this:
If you flip the installation order of those last two pulleys, ie Do the 2nd smooth one [lower left] before the 2nd toothed one [lower right] - you'll find you dont have to fight the tension on the belt nearly as much..
thanks again👍
Thanks, will try this on the next one!!!
Hi there-- Would you advise to rotate the crankshaft 2 revolutions after the new timing belt was installed to re - confirm the alignments? Thanks
Yes, I typically do that myself. 👌
@@SubaruONLY Thank you and I really like your explanations on the "timing" and that Subaru made it easier for us make the timing right . What if for example I removed the timing belt w/o aligning the 3 markings? Can I just rotate them one by one and align the 3 markings in 12 o clock up right positions like you show in the video? Is there any danger to this?
Happy it helped! If you remove the belt without lining up the mark before hand you can potentially damage the valves (in most modern Subaru engines with “interference” designs, meaning the valves can contact the piston if they open at the wrong time).
However, if the belt pops off or is removed by accident before lining everything up (when the engine is NOT running), you are most often fine and can rotate each one by hand into the right position. Rotate the crank pulley and upper cam pulleys (ie the intake cams) clockwise to align and the lower cam pulleys (ie exhaust cams) in the counter clockwise direction.
Check this image for ref: images.app.goo.gl/q5e59DPyfgaUxdKRA
@@SubaruONLY Thank you Subary made it simple so - in case of SOHC engine its only the 2 cam pulleys(L and right) and the crankshaft pulley right?
Yes. That’s correct!
Ever have a timing belt start walking off into the crankshaft pulley rubbing causing the belt to start fraying engine is ej257 hybrid ?
+Lou Blaty Hey man. Thanks for dropping the question.
Sounds like one of the cog pulleys is not aligned quite right and it’s pushing that belt off. Might be bad bearing causing it to sag or bolt is cross-threaded and not holding pulley flat.
If all pulleys are aligned that belt should only want to stay on that centerline plane.
Does the engine need to be removed to be able to do this? Obviously, it would make it easier. But can I just do it under the hood? I also have to do the head gasket. Leaking and stinking like oil. 300 000 km without ever having done the belt....YIKES!
This note wasn't in the timing belt kits that I used, both times i worked on these engines, where they skipped a tooth! They only skipped when the engine ran as they were perfectly on the marks aftet two rotations. So annoying!
I bought a timing belt kit online new but the timing belt does not have any lines for the cams or the crank how am I going to be for certain if I got the right amount of space teeth between the cams and the crank please respond soon for I am baffled
you are very big help , saves me money . Thank you again
Stoked it helped - cheers buddy!!!
Just a note here - wouldn't you do the water pump as well? while the cover is off? seems like a good practice I would do being that its driven by the timing belt but great info as I'll need points of reference for my Subaru Forester when it comes time to replace my belt.
Yes, good to do that too usually.
Any reason why the passenger side cam sprocket is plastic and the driver side sprocket is metal. Reason I’m asking because yesterday my passenger side plastic sprocket somehow came off while driving and almost went all the way through the timing cover...
I have watched bunch of videos on this topic. My Haynes manual says to put the engine in TDC for #1 to put on the new belt. I did that. So I"m putting on the belt, and some other videos say that you can slightly loosen the belt by turning the cam pulleys to install various idlers. When I do that, if I turn the right side cam pulley a little, it flips counter clockwise about 180 degrees. These people do the timing belt with all the pistons down, so maybe that is not TDC, because at TDC one piston is fully up. Any thoughts?
My dude, you’re a genius
Thanks brother!! 👊