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 ..
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!
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!!!
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!!!!
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 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.
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.
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.
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 = )
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.
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
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..
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.
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
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’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
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
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
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 :)
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.
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.
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👍
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 . 😁
I have a gates timing kit on my 1.8t. It was Japanese, Korean and u.k. parts, with a Chinese tensioner with gates stamped on it, along with made in China. No problems yet. Silent and smooth.
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
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....
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.
Just excellent attention to detail in this diy video. Now the questions. I have to replace the radiator in my 2009 Forester XT (Turbo). As the timing belt is close to needing replacing (by mileage) would it make sense to do this at the same time? Also, to what extent can I use this video for guidance?
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 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.
My son bought one of these kits and lasted 2 years. The tensioner lost the oil and failed. We are lucky it didn't damage the engine. Very scary situation because we didn't know what was the problem. It will run fine and then it would go crazy shaking and eventually loosing all power. I had to go to the subaru forum and there it was,few people had that issue with the tensioner. I had to buy subaru parts,kind of expensive but now I don't have to worry about another 100k. By the way my Legacy 2.5 2006 has 208k miles.
And prior to pulling the tensioner pin,..rotate the engine over at least 2 full crank shaft rotations and check the alignment of the belt timing marks!
Tks for this video , it's difficult to have a SUBARU in Brazil, nobody know how to treat a SUBARU, In TH-cam Brazil you don't have amazing materials topics like this.
Not gonna spin the crank a few times just to be sure huh? Pretty dam confident you got the cams right using 12 o clock instead of the timing mark on the inside belt cover.
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?
Hey, great vid. Really informative. I'm new to Subaru, but have a 2011 Impreza. Just lifted it 5 inches, was supposed to be 2 inches but surprise! Timing belt kit, water pump, and oil pump are next. Just so I don't have to open it up again until I decide to rebuild at least the top end and invest in cams and a good tune. Any advice you have to offer or other vids regarding the oil pump or water pump? Preferred brands, known problems, etc.? I've heard factory oil pumps are weak and can lead to failures. I have a sohc non turbo.
+John Victor Hey man - awesome car and build so far!! Great to hear you are down to dig in and get dirty. These cars are wonderful machines to work on - really well designed and mechanic friendly for the most part. As for oil pump and water pump. A good upgrade is a high volume oil pump, not sure of which is the best manufacturer currently, try to stay away from parts manufactured in China in general. For the water pump, just getting a good OEM one should be fine. Cheers 🤙🤙
Good idea if high mileage. But if low mileage, those water pumps rarely fail. And I’d keep an OEM one if there’s no issues and the replacement isn’t a OEM unit.
Great video. Thanks for doing this. Hey i'm doing this job now and I have a question. My right side cam sprocket (the metal one, not plastic) is lined up with the markings but it's under load. I mean it's just about to unload it's spring and rotate to the right. Is that normal?
If you’re sitting on the engine, facing forward to the front of the engine - The left cam sprockets require the special “cam-lock” tool because the cam lobes are starting to compress the valve springs. The right cam sprockets don’t normally require any special tool because those cams shouldn’t be compressing any valve springs when aligned to the timing belt alignment marks. Hoops this helps to clarify. Cheers and good luck!!! 👍
SubaruONLY, I just did the head gaskets on my forester and I have a question about the cam timing. I have all my timing marks at 12 and my center mark on my belt lines up with my crank pulley but the other marks on the belt don't line up with the cam marks. Is this going to be a problem? Btw awesome 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.
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!
Great video, Iam still I little afraid to do it by myself, but in my city there's no a lot of Subarus, and I don't think the mechanics knows how to work on this engines..
Great video big fan of your channel Quick question what's the worst that can happen If idler pulleys and tensioner are over tighten? Besides stripping bolts
Thanks man! I think worse that can happen is just stripped threads in the block most likely. I’ve never seen anything worse happen and over tightening those suckers is super common - seen it SO many times! Good luck and cheers! 🤙🤙 And PS - I have a video on inserting Helicoils, check it out!
Something to be aware of is that the marks on the timing belt for the EJ-251 engine are NOT equidistant from the center line. So if you want all the marks on the pulleys to properly match, the belt needs to go on in the correct direction . Simple way to do it is, First; before removing the old belt, line up the cam and crank timing notches as per the above video. Second; Count the belt notches from center line punch mark on the crank pulley to the cam mark on the driver's side. Then count the notches from the center line punch mark on the crank pulley to the passenger side cam mark. Then copy that old configuration with the new belt and everything should line up. Main thing is be sure everything lines up properly BEFORE you pull that tensioner pin! (The smaller number of notches should be on the drive's side) On my 2000 Outback it was something like 44. on the driver's side and 47 on the passenger side. Not a huge difference, but probably critical.
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?
this was the first video on the timing belt replacement where one can actually see what is going on. Very well filmed not like some where the one holding the camera had Parkinson's or was fighting off a trip to the bathroom doing the pee pee dance. I would like to see the overhaul video. GREAT JOB!!!!!!!
Great video. I been asking around "do u have to bleed the tensioner?" No one has answered n show just putting it on without bleeding it. Do u need to bleed it if it new?
@@SubaruONLY I have just one question. I turned the crank to line up the mark with the oil fuse mark. I noticed the cam pulley Mark's were in alignment but wrong. So I turned the crank again n the marks were better but still wrong. The double marks were facing up the single down n the side 3oclock Marks were correct. If I turn the crank so the mark is 12o'clock can I just turn the cams separately without a belt so they are correct? I hope I make sense. I have new pulleys , water pump n belt but I'm scared the engine not in time. Also the driver side csm seemed to suddenly spin abticlock wise. I put it back where it was but I'm not sure if it did one revolution or two... Again would really appreciate time.do u av a donation method?
Great guide. Seriously, fantastic and perfectly detailed. One question. Do you think it's absolutely necessary to pull the engine to do this job on a 2007 Putback with an Ej253? It seems thered be enough room if the radiator and stuff forward of the engine are removed. No?
I'm a disabled veteran. I paid this guy to put on a Water pump. Well he got it out of timing. I'm gonna try to do this myself and I really couldn't do it without your help.
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 👍👍
Great explanation!! Top notch. I have a question and this happened to me. The camshaft sprocket (passenger side) on my 2.0 L SOHC broke apart in like 6-7 pieces which it then busted out the timing cover. Which then caused the belt to come off. I had a new belt and new tensioner installed by someone else. Could this have happened because the timing belt tensioner wasn’t bled properly? Well when I put the timing belt on the valves could be bent and still wanted to try first putting it back together. When the timing belt goes back on do you ALWAYS have to bleed the timing belt tensioner or is it because of being brand new?
Hey Luke! love your channel , hey i had a timing question. after putting all the timing gears on and what i thought were all lined up correctly, after trying to start it it won’t start it sound like it skipping.
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
Good stuff, My son wants to buy a 09 Outback, beautiful car with 140 thou miles and the belt hasn't been done. Also has a small rear main oil leak or it could be the oil pan gasket? I'm nervous doing the timing, but I think I can do it.
I don’t think you can do it - I KNOW you can! Sounds like a great car man, really do think you’ll find the timing belt replacement fairly straightforward once you dive in. It’s really not too hard of you follow the steps. I also have FSMs (factory service manuals available for free on my website (includes all Subaru models from 90s - 2021): SubaruONLY.com - check it out for step by step instructions. Might help. Cheers and good luck!!! 👍
I bought a 2004 impreza. Finally getting the engine ready to time and there is no cover to let me line it. May be a foolish question but im not sure what i should do. First time puting an engine back together.
We talking about installing the timing belt? If don’t have one already, good to grab a Factory Service Manual - might have some good info. Can google or use www.SubaruONLY.com
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!
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!
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!! 👊
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?
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
Binder clips are beyond simple and almost fool proof. Thank you!
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! 🍻
Best explanation on how to route timing belt out of all the videos watched!
Thanks buddy - cheers!!! 🍻
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!!! 👊
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.
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. 👍
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.
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
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!!! 👊
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! 👍👍
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..
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'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
These videos on the SOHC 2.5 are very helpful to me, I own a 07 Impreza, my baby, Peace
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’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
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
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
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! 👊
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 :)
I like your idea with the binder clips, but I found that one inch C clamps snugged up but not overtightened are more secure.
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.
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.
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!!!
Excellent video. Clear explanation that is easy to understand. Love the surgical precision of your videos. (Notice the caduceus tattoo.)
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 . 😁
I have a gates timing kit on my 1.8t. It was Japanese, Korean and u.k. parts, with a Chinese tensioner with gates stamped on it, along with made in China. No problems yet. Silent and smooth.
Nice. Good to hear. Thanks for sharing this!!! 👊
Impressive video. My mechanic shop wants 1400 bucks to do this. Gonna give it a try myself.
Awesome! 👍
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
Luke!! You're a g-d send!!
Thank you, so much!
BTW, are you a physician? Whats up with the Caduceus?
changed my first timing belt kit on my 99 impreza followed the steps in the video worked out great thanks luke great video
Very nice and informative. To be safe I do two full revolutions on crank by hand and double check timing marks
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
👍
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! 👊
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!!! 🍻
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!!! 👊
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.
Awesome video and tips! Much appreciated, this is all I needed, they don't put these tricks in the Haynes book haha
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!! 🤙
Just excellent attention to detail in this diy video. Now the questions. I have to replace the radiator in my 2009 Forester XT (Turbo). As the timing belt is close to needing replacing (by mileage) would it make sense to do this at the same time? Also, to what extent can I use this video for guidance?
Nicely done! Thank you for taking the time to make this video! I learned something new.
Great video, thanks a bunch!
Any good tricks for getting the crankshaft pulley bolt back out before reinstalling timing belt cover?
HD Impact gun works really good! 👊
Hay I just want to say your video really helped me do a 04 legacy thanks
Awesome - thank you!!!
I can't wait for the new stuff . I need help with my build
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 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 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
So how would I tighten the driver upper pulley with the old belt. Thanks for a great vi
Thank you for your thorough explanation. Do you have a detail explanation for the DOHC 2.5 engine?
Not yet - but that’s coming. Please stay tuned! 🤙🤙
My son bought one of these kits and lasted 2 years. The tensioner lost the oil and failed. We are lucky it didn't damage the engine. Very scary situation because we didn't know what was the problem. It will run fine and then it would go crazy shaking and eventually loosing all power. I had to go to the subaru forum and there it was,few people had that issue with the tensioner. I had to buy subaru parts,kind of expensive but now I don't have to worry about another 100k. By the way my Legacy 2.5 2006 has 208k miles.
Thank you for the thorough guide again on this subject. Just wondering which technical servicing / repair manuals /books you would recommend ?
I recommend the Subaru factory service manuals. I have all of them available for free via a database I host at SubaruONLY.com!
www.subaruonly.com/
@@SubaruONLY thank you
Thank you for the clear instructions and info. I am going to do this in a few days.
And prior to pulling the tensioner pin,..rotate the engine over at least 2 full crank shaft rotations and check the alignment of the belt timing marks!
Good add!!! 👌👌👌
Tks for this video , it's difficult to have a SUBARU in Brazil, nobody know how to treat a SUBARU, In TH-cam Brazil you don't have amazing materials topics like this.
Oh thank you!!! Glad it helped!!!
What would you do if the belt doesn't have those 3 lines ?
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! 👍
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
Thanks for this, you’re a lifesaver.
Not gonna spin the crank a few times just to be sure huh? Pretty dam confident you got the cams right using 12 o clock instead of the timing mark on the inside belt cover.
I actually do typically. That’s a good idea to do, jus to be sure.
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?
Hey, great vid. Really informative. I'm new to Subaru, but have a 2011 Impreza. Just lifted it 5 inches, was supposed to be 2 inches but surprise!
Timing belt kit, water pump, and oil pump are next. Just so I don't have to open it up again until I decide to rebuild at least the top end and invest in cams and a good tune.
Any advice you have to offer or other vids regarding the oil pump or water pump? Preferred brands, known problems, etc.? I've heard factory oil pumps are weak and can lead to failures. I have a sohc non turbo.
+John Victor Hey man - awesome car and build so far!! Great to hear you are down to dig in and get dirty. These cars are wonderful machines to work on - really well designed and mechanic friendly for the most part. As for oil pump and water pump. A good upgrade is a high volume oil pump, not sure of which is the best manufacturer currently, try to stay away from parts manufactured in China in general. For the water pump, just getting a good OEM one should be fine. Cheers 🤙🤙
Very helpful thanks. What are your thoughts on changing the water pump since you've got it apart?
Good idea if high mileage. But if low mileage, those water pumps rarely fail. And I’d keep an OEM one if there’s no issues and the replacement isn’t a OEM unit.
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!
Great video. Thanks for doing this. Hey i'm doing this job now and I have a question. My right side cam sprocket (the metal one, not plastic) is lined up with the markings but it's under load. I mean it's just about to unload it's spring and rotate to the right. Is that normal?
If you’re sitting on the engine, facing forward to the front of the engine - The left cam sprockets require the special “cam-lock” tool because the cam lobes are starting to compress the valve springs. The right cam sprockets don’t normally require any special tool because those cams shouldn’t be compressing any valve springs when aligned to the timing belt alignment marks.
Hoops this helps to clarify. Cheers and good luck!!! 👍
SubaruONLY, I just did the head gaskets on my forester and I have a question about the cam timing. I have all my timing marks at 12 and my center mark on my belt lines up with my crank pulley but the other marks on the belt don't line up with the cam marks. Is this going to be a problem? Btw awesome video
Should I Change my camshaft seals while I'm changing this? I have a dohc and not wanting to ruin my engine
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.
Awesome video!!! Can I do this with a used tensioner pulley?!!!!
Yes, absolutely.
Any suggestions to hold both driver side pulleys while putting belt on
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!
Dam! So much details! Love it bro! About to do mines this month!
Nice 👍 good luck man!
Great video, Iam still I little afraid to do it by myself, but in my city there's no a lot of Subarus, and I don't think the mechanics knows how to work on this engines..
You got this man!!! 👊
Great video big fan of your channel Quick question what's the worst that can happen If idler pulleys and tensioner are over tighten? Besides stripping bolts
Thanks man! I think worse that can happen is just stripped threads in the block most likely. I’ve never seen anything worse happen and over tightening those suckers is super common - seen it SO many times! Good luck and cheers! 🤙🤙
And PS - I have a video on inserting Helicoils, check it out!
SubaruONLY cool I'll make sure to check it out thanks
Something to be aware of is that the marks on the timing belt for the EJ-251 engine are NOT equidistant from the center line. So if you want all the marks on the pulleys to properly match, the belt needs to go on in the correct direction . Simple way to do it is, First; before removing the old belt, line up the cam and crank timing notches as per the above video. Second; Count the belt notches from center line punch mark on the crank pulley to the cam mark on the driver's side. Then count the notches from the center line punch mark on the crank pulley to the passenger side cam mark. Then copy that old configuration with the new belt and everything should line up. Main thing is be sure everything lines up properly BEFORE you pull that tensioner pin! (The smaller number of notches should be on the drive's side) On my 2000 Outback it was something like 44. on the driver's side and 47 on the passenger side. Not a huge difference, but probably critical.
A real thumbs up for this video, by the way. Very well done and much appreciated.
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?
this was the first video on the timing belt replacement where one can actually see what is going on. Very well filmed not like some where the one holding the camera had Parkinson's or was fighting off a trip to the bathroom doing the pee pee dance. I would like to see the overhaul video. GREAT JOB!!!!!!!
Thank you very much!!! Working on more...
Great video. I been asking around "do u have to bleed the tensioner?" No one has answered n show just putting it on without bleeding it. Do u need to bleed it if it new?
Hi. Yes, to be safe, always a good idea to bleed that tensioner.
@@SubaruONLY really appreciate the reply
@@SubaruONLY I have just one question. I turned the crank to line up the mark with the oil fuse mark. I noticed the cam pulley Mark's were in alignment but wrong. So I turned the crank again n the marks were better but still wrong. The double marks were facing up the single down n the side 3oclock Marks were correct.
If I turn the crank so the mark is 12o'clock can I just turn the cams separately without a belt so they are correct?
I hope I make sense. I have new pulleys , water pump n belt but I'm scared the engine not in time.
Also the driver side csm seemed to suddenly spin abticlock wise. I put it back where it was but I'm not sure if it did one revolution or two...
Again would really appreciate time.do u av a donation method?
Great guide. Seriously, fantastic and perfectly detailed. One question. Do you think it's absolutely necessary to pull the engine to do this job on a 2007 Putback with an Ej253? It seems thered be enough room if the radiator and stuff forward of the engine are removed. No?
Yep, you’re right. There is enough room to do it with the engine in the car. Cheers and good luck!! 👊
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
My dude, you’re a genius
Thanks brother!! 👊
I'm a disabled veteran. I paid this guy to put on a Water pump. Well he got it out of timing. I'm gonna try to do this myself and I really couldn't do it without your help.
Really happy this helped. Sorry for the delayed reply.
Very good step by step! Great job.
Dear everyone,
Tck304n is the kit you want, the n is gates code to signify Japanese one quality pulleys
TMB Performance and Auto Repair dude - thanks BIG time for this info!! 🤙🤙
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 👍👍
Great explanation!! Top notch. I have a question and this happened to me. The camshaft sprocket (passenger side) on my 2.0 L SOHC broke apart in like 6-7 pieces which it then busted out the timing cover. Which then caused the belt to come off. I had a new belt and new tensioner installed by someone else. Could this have happened because the timing belt tensioner wasn’t bled properly? Well when I put the timing belt on the valves could be bent and still wanted to try first putting it back together. When the timing belt goes back on do you ALWAYS have to bleed the timing belt tensioner or is it because of being brand new?
Quick question, do you turn the engine over with the pin in or out? After lined up
After its all lined up, pull the pin and then rotate the engine a couple times. Cheers! 👊
I bleed the new tensioner from Japan as instructed
Hwever works intermittently
Any suggestions. ....?
Hmmm. Sorry to hear. Try bleeding again maybe?
Hey Luke! love your channel , hey i had a timing question. after putting all the timing gears on and what i thought were all lined up correctly, after trying to start it it won’t start it sound like it skipping.
Hmmm. Not much to work with here, but I guess double check the alignment and make sure good fuel and spark supply. Good luck!!!
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
Good stuff, My son wants to buy a 09 Outback, beautiful car with 140 thou miles and the belt hasn't been done. Also has a small rear main oil leak or it could be the oil pan gasket? I'm nervous doing the timing, but I think I can do it.
I don’t think you can do it - I KNOW you can! Sounds like a great car man, really do think you’ll find the timing belt replacement fairly straightforward once you dive in. It’s really not too hard of you follow the steps. I also have FSMs (factory service manuals available for free on my website (includes all Subaru models from 90s - 2021): SubaruONLY.com - check it out for step by step instructions. Might help. Cheers and good luck!!! 👍
@@SubaruONLY Thanks!
you are very big help , saves me money . Thank you again
Stoked it helped - cheers buddy!!!
I bought a 2004 impreza. Finally getting the engine ready to time and there is no cover to let me line it. May be a foolish question but im not sure what i should do. First time puting an engine back together.
We talking about installing the timing belt? If don’t have one already, good to grab a Factory Service Manual - might have some good info. Can google or use www.SubaruONLY.com