SOHC Subaru Timing Belt Replacement Procedure

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How to replace a SOHC Subaru Timing Belt Yourself
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[@MD-rz2ht]

Hey just a heads up, 3 years later and you're still helping people like myself navigate around the engine compartment and identify components and complete tasks that we would otherwise struggle to complete! Great video man! Especially the idea with clamping the belt down on the marks to help while I fumbled around getting the rest of it on. Please keep up the great work that you're doing!

[@CubFan313]

I had never attempted this job before. I watched this video and paused it with each step. I successfully changed the water pump and timing belt on my son's 98 Legacy 2.2 with NO issues! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

[@jdub1922]

Thaks for this great extremely clear vid!! Note: the crank sprocket guide that's removed at 8:00 is required only on manual transmission vehicles. I popped my covers off today, and lo, no crank sprocket guide! A bit of googling educated me so I thought I'd share. Thanks!

[@strongislandautoenthusiast841]

Thank you for sharing this information...it must of been confusing when you realized the crank sprocket guide rail wasn't there.

[@iamdjsluggo]

Dude! Subbed! Your instruction is clear and precise. You don't talk too much not too little. Your patient as you work AND you don't CUSS. Thanks a million.

[@sleeks9939]

iamdjsluggo plus no annoying hardcore EDM music. Lol

[@michaelstewart5992]

iamdjsluggo

[@JodiFCobb]

iamdjsluggo he was (is never) angry. Mad? He saved me, my 1000 plus!

[@polishedturdspeedshop]

Kinda wish he would cuss a bit.... :)

[@iamdjsluggo]

Trevor Letkeman LoL, for realism? Nah, I appreciate the fact I can watch a video with kids around and not have to worry or in public without looking like a douche.

[@toddfurse9843]

A good, honest, down-to-earth mechanic who doesn't drop f-bombs. Thanks!!!

[@caleb9246]

Fuckity fuckin fuck

[@nogamingcontent4369]

@@caleb9246 dude c'mon

[@caleb9246]

@@nogamingcontent4369 dude holy fuckin fuck

[@roboticunclephil]

who cares

[@MrBobbo18]

I don’t fuckin trust a tech that doesn’t cuss

[@tylerwatts1649]

Excellent video--you probably saved me at least an hour of frustration! One note: for automatics, it's a huge pain to tighten the crank pulley bolt, as you can't lock up the engine with the transmission. After some exploring I found that you can insert two 3/8" socket extensions into the holes on the crank pulley and jam a crowbar, etc. between them to hold the engine as you torque down the bolt.

[@frankholland3523]

Excellent video, changed the belt on my 04 forester this morning only using the guide, took me about 3 hours going at a slow pace. To those asking about water pump, I purchased my belt from a Subaru dealer and the bloke advised that water pumps don’t need replacing on these, he said he never sees any fail. And he was right might felt brand new so I kept the original in. To those suggesting the radiator does not need to be removed, I got away with just removing the fans, maybe the OP just removed the road to get camera angles.

[@belkhan5000]

I have an 04 Forrester too at 118k miles, how many miles did you swap it out at? I’m thinking of driving down to NY from Boston next week, will it be fine or should I not risk it? Thanks in advance

[@michaeljames7095]

best subaru videos i've found. You've saved me thousands of dollars and millions of minutes. thanks a lot man

[@abrcrombyetmitch]

Just changed the timing belt and water pump on my 2007 Subaru Forester automatic trans using this video as a main guide. Also changed the the AC idler pulley as it was causing a horrible squeak. Two main differences for automatic transmissions: two additional hoses to disconnect while removing radiator, and to tighten crank pulley stick a screwdriver in the flywheel access on the passenger side of the engine. This will prevent the engine from turning while you torque. Thanks for the great video!

[@gregoryscribner8379]

I appreciate how clear your instructions were. No cursing. Helpful detail. Thank you so much

[@robertguevara568]

Dude, you are the most concise and thorough mechanic ever. This is awesome, and definitely going to save me $. Thanks for all you do!

[@jaredrattray]

Thanks for this great video Devin. It gave me the confidence to change the timing belt on my 2006 Forester, including water pump and pulleys. Everything went perfectly and that tip with the clamp to keep the belt in place really helped. Awesome!

[@davidhinshaw2013]

Just want to say thanks. Your video is the best out there. All your tips and knowledge helped us do my sons Forester in about three hours and saved a boat load. Keep up the good work!

[@mauriceconnelly1312]

cool stuff I'm a panelbeater tradesman for 30 years you did a great job in this presentation now i can go do my timing belt on my subaru .thanks dude

[@Dvniemela]

Welcome!

[@progressive8163]

This video helped me get through a timing belt and water pump job on my daughter's 2007 Subaru Legacy 2.5i. I can't thank you enough!

[@aaronswieton5387]

Awesome video dude! Everything was spot on! Clamping the timing belt in place was a genius idea saved me tons of hassle

[@jonathancarter1595]

Finally a bloke who just explains in normal English thanks

[@user-fz3xt7el3p]

Thank you for mentioning all the small, but very important details. Your guidance video is the best!

[@jaymccoy157]

This video is clear brother! Great video liked the music too lol. It kept the pace of watching a delight. Please next time show us the water pump change aswell since it's right there. Great vid

[@SimonTekConley]

Your video was more useful than the other video's on KZbin. Thank you.

[@robinfriedrich6678]

Love how you first point out everything to unbolt and then you show doing it! 👍👍👍

[@Monkey-sj8wj]

excellent! that's very clear and well edited video. thank for sharing, really helpful

[@JodiFCobb]

It pissed off my dealership I bought it from! Fun, Scary. I won ! Thank You 😊

[@diamondgeezer5502]

Had my laptop sitting on top of the engine playing the video. Did the cambelt on a 2001 Impreza. worked really well. Best tip was putting that bottom idler back on last. Cheers man.

[@ihenkel]

Very clear and detailed video! Tackling my car tonight. You rock!

[@alexp336]

Thanks for the video! I absolutely could not get the belt on using the sequence in another video, putting the water pump cog and lower pulley on last. It was impossible, only two belt lines would match. Yet somehow, it went on easily using your method. Crazy.

[@YoureNowOnTV]

I was searching for how to change a timing belt and watched your video. Thanks so much for making it. I thought it was good to hear you say "I just hit 1600 subscribers" so I looked to see your current count and it's 474k ! Nice work! Thanks again ! 😀👍

[@henrysun2694]

You provided a very detail of how to dis assemble & install it. Your video is one of the best instruction. Thanks.

[@TheNatekillerking]

Saved $600. Knowledge is power, thank you so much!

[@TheBaconVanMan]

Great video man! Seriously you saved me about 800 dollars over my local mechanic shop. Thanks a ton!

[@alfredgarati9423]

Thank You ! easy to follow , video is clear and focused . you are patient , good , honest mechanic !

[@alexhoffman3740]

Thank you so much for doing this video my son and I did the timing belt and a 2007 Subaru outback so appreciate what you’ve done with your video

[@CHS10901]

One comment I saw in another video that might be helpful, when you put the belt on, put it on so you can read the writing as you are looking at it from the front of the engine to make sure the lines line up from the left side to the right side cams. Otherwise, great video, I was thinking of doing one, but I really couldn't add any more.

[@umno925]

I did it bro. Thanks to your video. Had an automatic. Used a small Allen wrench in a vice grips on the engine pulley and had friend torque it back on...quite a bit of blood but it clicked. Wish there was a better way on autos. Everyone thought I was crazy. Only needed a new steering belt lol

[@kevinj5236]

Wicked video man! Thanks so much, best one I've found on KZbin

[@trailblazer8380]

Timing was something a little hard for me to grasp, but this video was a fantastic presentation on doing this and thanks to you, I was able to fix my car and learn something new.

[@ColinMill1]

Many thanks for a very helpful video. By the way, just in case anyone wants to re-check the timing against the marks on the belt they will all line up again every 24 revolutions of the engine.

[@JodiFCobb]

Colin Mill I was courious about a 1000 r.p.m.

[@JodiFCobb]

Slow motion cameras. Are thinking 💭 and?

[@JodiFCobb]

A strobe light! Is enrollment needed.

[@aflaz171]

Ah great I was wondering thanks.

[@ColinMill1]

@Frank. T No - the belt is 223 teeth long if I remember right and the crankshaft toothed pulley is 24 teeth so after 1 revolution of the crank the markers are only 24/223 part of their way round one lap of the timing system. The mark gets back to the crank pulley after 223/24 or 9.29166 revolutions of the crank and actually engages 7 teeth away from where it started so the mark on the belt does not line up with the mark on the pulley. Actually, what I wrote previously was wrong - the marks don't line up again until the belt has completed 24 laps of the timing system which takes 223 revolutions of the engine! Obviously the guys at Subaru did a proper job of designing this as a hunting mesh to keep the wear even.

[@mikeclark3128]

Your video saved me ~$750! Thank you for posting this!

[@hellypalli]

Well done Devin, nice and simple, clear, makes me wonder why do i think this is such a task to do

[@RangyJoe]

I'm about to do the belt on my Legacy soon and this was very helpful. Thanks!

[@riskedcapital]

thanks man, doing this myself with the water pump and I'm not much of a mechanic so I appreciate the detailed instructions

[@Dvniemela]

Welcome!

[@joedirt2862]

Great video! Also, cool to see you thanking your 1600 subscribers at the end.

[@utahbones3094]

Most clear cut video out there.👍

[@EasyFixShaun]

I love your videos man. Rock on!

[@paulevans592]

Nice Video- Straight to the point and no mucking about- Great info

[@DillanBoutin]

Best timing belt video I've seen. Gave me the confidence to do it myself.

[@Philsgoodnow]

Terrific! Very well done. My text converter on this phone is a joke but you showed clearly what was happening. Thanks

[@T25Accent]

This is awesome thanks for posting, I need to do the cams seals as well on my 99 legacy. Was going to do it all at once. So basically I would just need to remove the cam sprockets and remove the seals. Anything special I need to know about removing cam sprockets? Thanks!

[@mpaji750]

Awesome video tutorial. Bottom line up front and very practical

[@henrycarretero6143]

By far the best video on the topic!! Thanks for the help!!

[@henrycarretero6143]

Quick q, the passenger side cam mark lines up with the motor where the heads and the block meet, correct?

[@DrSlang]

Very concise! Great how-to! Just curious, why do you torque the pulleys when they're under the load of the belt? Seems like you would get more accurate torque with the pulley unloaded, but I'm sure you're following the procedure in the service manual. Thanks!

[@paulclark1918]

Great video. Super helpful. I had the dealer replace the front control arms Etc for around 1k after they failed to spot the bushings were wearing at the 90k service which would have saved me $700 when the wheels started fibrillating at around 65MPH. Could have done that myself before it became a metal on metal situation requiring replacement. Going to do the rear bushings myself then the timing belt with new bearings Etc next.

[@MrSoulMonk]

Great video. Thank you! It is not easy to do the video and do the work. Hats off to you for spending the time to do it. I have an '04 Outback that needs a repeat job. I had mine done at a mechanic 2 years ago, but I now have oil leaks, possibly from the crank seal. I also see leaks around the timing belt cover. Lessons learned. I will do it myself this time.

[@Dvniemela]

You're welcome!

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

Getting gyp'ed by unskilled mechanics - they take your money and don't fix the problem, or worse - is the reason I became super-interested in learning how to do my own work! KZbin was a huge game-changer with that. Now everybody can be a mechanical genius from what smart-guys freely share, here.

[@2qwk]

Awesome job making this vid. Thank you brother

[@frankcastle9648]

Thank you so much man, I'm gonna attempt to do my timing belt now. Wish me luck guys

[@gallant056]

Ive watched this probably 10 times now just to make sure I've got everything and gonna do it right, just a couple more tools, and parts will be here Friday. I'm excited to knock this off my list! Only waited til I was 25k over 105k! lolol you can say I'm a procrastinator. Better late than never tho! Thanks for this video

[@stevelomax790]

This is an excellent video. Detailed very organized

[@mateocarlos2674]

I've watched 4 timing belt replacement videos and NOBODY mentioned the two hoses at the bottom of the radiator that connect to two lines sitting below the battery. These are transmission coolant lines according to the Haynes manual. You'll have to provision for plugging them. A local shop told me this is just transmission fluid that cools somewhat by running through the radiator. It is a separate circuit within the radiator that does NOT mix with the engine coolant. I have a 2006 Baja, non-turbo model.

[@elektriceye]

Dude, thanks like times a million for posting this! Just got mine done and she's running smooth. A quick tip, for tightening down that crank pulley bold. I put 2 short 3/8 extensions in the crank pulley holes and then stuck a breaker bar on them, and pulled the opposite ways until I was able to get the proper torque. Also, mine, an 2009 has a stupid stretch fit belt on the inner crank pulley part which was kind of a pain to put on, but I did it with flat screwdrivers. The crank pulley itself was pretty tough to get off, but I kept hititing it on the sides with a rubber mallet and wiggling back and forth until it came off. Anyway, just thought I'd share some tips in case it helps anyone else. Again, THANK YOU!!

[@Dvniemela]

Excellent tips. Glad it worked out for you man!

[@danunreal99]

sure helped me out

[@Dvniemela]

Good! Glad it did :)

[@trailblazer8380]

This helps me a bunch!

[@festeezy]

wouldnt jamming the flywheel with a flathead screw driver be easier and do the same thing?

[@PlayfulCiciRex]

Excellent instructional video! My timing belt snapped as i was warming up my impreza. Can I turn the cam shaft sprockets and crank shaft manually? Is this the proper way to align the markings to the engine block?

[@freedomjustice691]

One of the best instruction vids!! , what year was the Subaru? Thanks.

[@sidforbrains6552]

very nice, straight forward and precise, thank you

[@sharonbirrer9411]

Thank you for your thoural & detailed explanation. This video rocks dude! Thanks again from Southern Colorado

[@cellestet1417]

Thanks Replacing the thermostat, waterpump and timing belt for the first time! Its going well First time ive done anything other than replacing an oil filter on a car 😂

[@GORT70]

This one isn’t TOO bad (beware old Honda’s!) but this is definitely a step up!

[@terryrust4973]

Thanks very much! Great video, saved me a lot of trial and error -

[@krisnietert2407]

The video was very helpful and made the job much easier. Thanks for your help.

[@Dvniemela]

I'm glad it helped you!

[@aflaz171]

Excellent so easy follow because you made it so. Only thing I struggled to see the timing marks. Also I noticed the marks on the belt didn't line up again once you turned the engine but I think you said that was what would happen. Really easy to follow I'll do mine soon thank you!

[@nicam49]

I've read in an early comment that the marks, line up every 24 revolutions.

[@khaledelgomati6325]

Thanks for the video, and it was very helpful. However, I have a concern regarding the RH 2.5L SOHC Cam Shaft Timing Gear Pulley Sprocket Right. Does it have to be made of (carbon fiber like material) or it could be made of metals As by searching, found both metal and black(material) non-metal. But not sure what to install. Ordered one but was metal and wrong one. Also, are the RH and LH sprocket pulleys changeable?

[@niktarasyuk8514]

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 witch 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 install 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 last two, 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 to do for some of them. 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. Not like on this video, when the tensioner is fitted with the top idler already fitted - this might not work, as you have to stretch the belt and fit the bolt into the hole that you don't see. And the tensioner will have tendency to skew. MrSubaru fits the tensioner and the top idler first - that also might not work for you, as the cog pulley is also a dog to fit, being close to the water pump and not enough belt to stretch. 2. After you have fit 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 will work.

[@lillym6649]

Great video, thank you so much for a easy to follow video.

[@roylongman2057]

Thanks for the helpful tips! Much helpful everyone it definitely works! Much appreciated for the tourque settings thank you!!

[@joes8204]

Great video, thanks! Just wanted to add when breaking the crank pulley by turning the car over make sure your battery is fully charged!!! After a few failed attempts I realized I wasn’t at full charge and it doesn’t have enough to break it.

[@JePHRe3]

Very helpful and thorough. Question: 2.5s Are there different power steering with different pulleys? Are all pulleys changeable or there's some that you have to change the entire pump?

[@joshuatzonfortheslaughter]

Thanks for this video and all the insight. And thanks for not utilizing obnoxious language. Cheers!

[@tane901]

you just saved me heaps of money, thank you

[@Dvniemela]

Welcome!

[@maggot238]

thanks for the info. Mine wont start now so its coming back apart next weekend. Probably timing issue. Timing jumped. Got it running. Thanks for the video.

[@richkalsky5792]

Good vid thx Im wondering about replacing the coolant Do I just fill the rad, start the car with the rad cap off and let it warm up and keep adding coolant?

[@derekwhittle1885]

Excellent video. Really useful. Thanks bro

[@johnpaulikzpb]

Hey..Great video, thanks for the assist. I do have a question though... is it a good idea to change the water pump while all belts are off?

[@digalittle]

Very good instruction. Subbed.

[@stephenhunt6253]

Nice job! Curious as to why you didn't go ahead and replace the water pump too? Also, can you not use a impact wrench to remove the crank pulley?

[@TheFlexTapes]

Thanks for this! Is there a certain kit I would need?

[@Joehoe1234]

You have got a lot more comfortable with the camera in the past year man

[@ingolfurarnar697]

Very good instructions. Thanks a lot dude 👍👍👍

[@Bill-xs4zu]

Great video. Tightening the crank pulley. How do you do it if the car is an automatic.

[@user-qr8vp8ts2e]

Thank you for a thorough exposition also The problem is I am having current on two tower on the coil pack cylinder 1 and 2 no electrical current for cylinders 3 and 4 could the cause a ignition timing on the belt?

[@shawn4900]

Great video and explanations. Was just curious about the crankshaft sprocket, does this need to be changed along with all the other pulleys ? Also was wondering if you changed out the water pump and thermostat? Thought that was highly recommended when doing a timing belt . Regards

[@AndyE30]

Damn you make boxers look EASY to work on. You've changed me

[@mikejohnson6975]

Great video. Where can I get one of those 3way socket wrench that you used in the beginning of the video

[@sleeks9939]

Just curious to why you didn't go ahead and change the water pump? Great video very helpful.

[@lucky13farms99]

Very nice explanation, Thanks. My little Subaru is making a rattling noise. Only does it when you rev the motor up to 2500-3000 RPMs. Mechanic said they thought it was the timing pulleys, tensioner or one of the other pulleys? Gonna try this myself. Last timing I did was for a 1976 Chevy Chevette. lol, that was a great little 4 banger hatchback. Wish me luck.

[@brentkelly9864]

Awesome video, super helpful. Thanks!

[@petercheney8316]

Thanks. Made this look less intimidating than I thought it would be.

[@aljohannalday8569]

Thanks for making this vid! my brother and i made a mistake, the crankshaft and the passenger side shaft are tdc but not the driver side shaft.. It's about less a quarter turn, how can we fix it?

[@lizamarievalle7465]

Hello very good video. Question I have coolant leak behind thermostat housing it’s that could be the water pump leaking ? The metal behind the thermostat is good no leaking. What could be it ??

[@davedavis1408]

Great job..good explanation 👍

[@DJZ3ROKONTROL]

Mitsubishi timing belt on a Subaru 😂 great video man. I just got a 07 Foster 2.5x. just doing some research. Keep up the content. Subscribed 👍🏽

[@wolfgang_STI]

Misuboshi is actually what it says, they are a Japanese belt manufacturer.

[@sydmainwood9928]

Devin, what timing gear kit did you install on your Subaru?

[@VTOROTV]

Wish I would have seen this video first omg dude airhug from Florida. Every other video was like put the other pulley on advance the mark blah blah blah! Thank you!

[@claudettehorton6891]

is there any warning when it goes .. replaced the timing belt in 2011 when we rebuilt our motor on our 98' Subaru forester.. so just wondering because at the time the motor was being rebuilt our machenic stated there was nothing really wrong with it but sense everything was apart do it then ..