How to replace a SOHC Subaru 2.5l Timing Belt

Get a new tensioner here:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B...
How to replace a SOHC Subaru 2.5l Timing Belt. This one is a 2005, but the process is the same for all 2.5L with the single overhead cams (one outside pulley instead of two).

[@workenhard]

have to say out of all of the Subaru 2.5 timing belt videos this one was the best. no fluff just good information, ill keep a watch out for more of your videos.

[@andymacfly90]

Brian, a huge thank you from a forester owner in nz, with your videos i successfully stripped and rebuilt ej251, six star head gasket, new rings and bearings, complete valve job....drives awesome now....you're a rock star! Cheers, Andy

[@nineballing1]

Just wanted to thank you for your Subaru videos. I am a 20-plus year vet of the trade and a shop owner. Customer brought her Subaru with head gasket failure, and having no experience with Subaru, I tried to beg off on the job. She insisted that I could do it and she didn't trust anyone else to do it. Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated. Found your videos and they really gave be a much needed boost of confidence. Reading the procedure in a manual is ok, but watching and hearing an expert is always better. Thank you again!

[@MaximumZargon]

I just did my Legacy belts with the help of this video, and I can't thank you enough for your time and effort. I had never done a timing belt before, so I was scared! Thanks so much!

[@roboticunclephil]

ive done it once already & im still so scared

[@davidjustushuddleston7823]

Tip from an Old Aircraft Mechanic, Great video, A bit more controlled way to remove and reinstall the vibration damper is to remove the radiator and then use two 3/8 drive 4 inch extensions. Put these extensions in two of the four holes in the damper with about 2 inches sticking out and 2 inches in the damper. use a long breaker bar or a piece of pipe between the two extensions. A helper can hold this leaver or you can let it rest up against the inside fender or frame. You can rotate the engine slightly to accommodate this without having an issue as the timing belt will be in place when you loosen and tighten the damper. Now use a breaker bar and loosen the center bolt. When you reinstall the damper use a torque wrench and torque it to specs.

[@michaelogilvie8008]

You are a Saint! There aren’t any shops near me that will work on Subaru, this saves me money and the headache of failing on my own😂

[@notthestig.]

Thanx Brian. I am a computer analyst and have never attempted to work on my car (saabaru 9-2x Aero) before, but your videos are very informative. I am now working on swapping out all my struts / springs with H&R springs and Koni Inserts, and watching your vids are very helpful. More Subaru videos!!

[@michaelnichols2180]

Thanks Brian, I have an 01 Ram and an 01 Subaru, your videos have saved me a ton of headaches before I do anything I looks for your videos. Loyal fan, Michael

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks Mike!

[@superokay7660]

Thanks for posting. Just watched this for the fourth or fifth time this morning. Its now 2:30 p.m. and after welding some round and square stock together to make a tool to hold the balancer and beating my breaker bar nearly flat, I'm putting the new kit on and looking forward to not being a nervous wreck every time I drive the severely neglected ol girl. 166k miles and the previous owner said he personally changed the belt twice only to pull the cover and see the factory one hanging by a thread. Dodged that one by a hair. Thanks again. Hope all is well.

[@weirdbeard1980]

Brian, I love your videos man. whenever I'm looking to work on my car I check your KZbin page first because I know it'll contain all the information I need to accomplish the task at hand.

[@weirdbeard1980]

btw, I literally just found out you're a skier by watching this video. I'm a p.s.i.a alpine level 3 instructor. If you ever want to have an information exchange...

[@MANGOGLEN]

THANK YOU!, this video helped me with a parts issue I was having with a supplier. It's the most detailed and clearer youtube video I've seen of someone changing a timing belt on a 2.5lt Subaru yet :)

[@1974rabj]

Thank you for the posting of this ... wife has a 08 and it is getting time to do the belt. I came from Dodge and have not seen many subaru products so this video is greatly appreciated.

[@rellison68]

I have a 2.5L engine and have never changed a timing belt before-myself. It's coming up this year. Thanks for posting this video. I'm going to use it as a reference for doing my first one.

[@zasly]

Thanks Brian. Took this video as a guide, and managed to change the timing belt on my Subaru, in under 2 hours, all by myself. Thx again!

[@ChubbaBoastinTone766]

Doing a an 03 Outback 2.5L (eng code B) tomorrow. You have really a really good tone, ease and simplicity to your instructions, thanks for posting :)

[@tyrtyrtyr8572]

Thanks for that, it made the job a lot easier. Didn't have to remove fans. Biggest pain was pulley bolt, had to make locking tool for this. Very easy job despite that! Respect!

[@austinspotts2744]

just did my timing belt today. thanks for the video. it helped out a lot.

[@nugent5438]

Killer video man! Only wish it showed disassembly (from the beginning). Looking forward to more videos!

[@zaqkenny6845]

Just did my timing belt last weekend thanks buddy really appreciate your pointers I have a dual overhead cam but still help a lot! You're awesome keep up the good work God bless take care

[@Alonsel3]

Helped a lot. Thanks heaps. Working on my EJ25 Headgasket replacement here in Australia.

[@jamesschmidt1120]

Love that Ron Paul poster! Keep up the quality content. Subscribed!

[@yuvgotubekidding]

You’re really good at explaining things. I hope you teach.

[@JPREEDY77]

Got my kit on ebay for $83 tensioner and water pump and full bearing kit. Worked great

[@robertojosesosa]

Great video Brian, i got a 1999 S forester from my brother 2 months ago and now i was able to get the 2002 S Forester, but am kind of worry about changing the timing belt. But really this video was so helpful. Thanks.

[@claudiobernardoni1453]

Hello briansmobile1, I'm Brazilian, and you're a great help to us. And here we have to make many adaptations. But your tips are of great value to us. thank you so much.

[@d.stiles19]

Thanks for always helping me with my Subaru Brian!

[@TheChaztor]

Wish I could like this twice. Its that good. Thanks for posting this video for the knowledge and the humor.

[@darrenstanley5244]

Thanks for explaining where the piston is during this process. Helped me.

[@Studhyn]

Taking the tensioner off makes it easier to get that bottom sprocket on without forcing the belt. Get the sprocket on, wrap the belt around it, then put tensioner on. A hell of a lot easier.

[@kpatrol]

briansmobile1 Thank you for all these Subaru videos! I have an Impreza, and these vids are such a huge help! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@dmalott0908]

You're still the man!! Nice video and always full of extra information.

[@ryansauto93]

Awesome video Brian, I love Subarus too and love any Subaru videos you can put out. It's interesting too that Subaru has always used timing belts on the 4 cylinders (not the 6 cylinders), but the new 2.0 and 2.5 engines have switched to timing chains. Seems like people want the maintenance free chain over a belt which makes sense but the advantages of a belt also make sense. Trade-offs are involved just like anything else.

[@PeaceLoveAndGuns]

I'm about to perform this on my 07 2.5i... because hopefully what I'm hearing under the hood is a bad tensioner and not valve-train damage.... FINGERS CROSSED! As with a few other jobs I've undertaken since finding your channel, you've given me the confidence to be my own subaru-tech... kind of.

[@PeaceLoveAndGuns]

Thanks, Brian,

[@shiloh5199]

Very well made DIY tutorial!! I've done many Tbelt jobs but never on a Subaru boxster motor.

[@georgestanfield621]

I cheated on the crank bolt. I used a pull handle and a pipe cheater bar. With it in place I bumped the starter. I know it is not the recomended way but it works for me on a lot of different engines. Never damaged anything. I enjoyed your vid and your information is great.

[@alexanastas]

I love the poster you have in the background and all of your videos are great. thank you for all you do. :)

[@alexspayd2232]

Thanks for making this video my guy! It's going to make tomorrow so much easier

[@romainchenier7031]

Tensioner may look good but best to change it anyway.....I did head gaskets at 127k and when I started the car , belt jumped, bent 2 valves, had to do the job again. THANKS A MILLION FOR THE VIDEOS, A GREAT HELP!!!!

[@Elyyfz450]

Hey, just got the Aising timing belt kit from amazon all made in Japan. Thanks for the video.

[@daftpunkjames]

Super helpful thank you. My timing jumped on freeway. I had to fix this on the interstate !:)

[@dannyventura5473]

you sir, are legend

[@GR_Papi]

thanks man i did mine last week hottest day of the week out here but i did it thanks to your help. i appreciate you 👍

[@metalxesp]

nice video thanks for sharing the technique of removing pulleys instead of stretching the belt

[@TheJustp91]

thank you you just saved my life..the factory manual gets you far sometimes seeing is believing...:)

[@pacufishdude]

Love these videos. I have been able to get so many things fixed using them. Thank you so much for all the good work!

[@Popgunner101]

Thanks for another great video. Another way to get the balancer bolt out is to remove the plastic plug that covers the window at the back of the motor where you can get to the bolts that hold flex plate to the torque converter. With that cover off you can put a large screwdriver in to hold the flex plate & the balancer pulley comes right out.

[@joemac9997]

Hi Brian, love your videos, so well presented, informative and entertaining and much appreciated. I have just finished doing a timing belt, tensioner, water pump, idlers, cam and crank seals on my 1999 Subaru impressa wrx 2.0 dohc turbo, your videos were extremely helpful although being a dohc made life a whole lot harder (I did it in the car so trying to make sure the exhaust cams were aligned with the timing marks wasn't easy) I just have a couple of concerns that I would greatly appreciate if you could help me with, when I was removing the cam sprockets they were extremely tight and when I refitted them I would not have got them as tight as what they were, I put loctite on the threads and tightened them as much as I could, do you have a tips on getting them tight? Also if I was a tooth out on the timing belt, how long would it take for the valves to kiss the pistons? I have started the engine for 10-15 minutes without any problems, am I in the clear? Sorry for rambling, lol

[@kie185]

hello thank you for your video done timing belt today on 07 outback there are very little of these outback here in Ireland

[@not2shabbyaggie]

Howdy, Brian! I used your videos to do an engine replacement in my 2005 Outback at 220,000 miles and it was subsequently (and sadly) totaled in a hail storm. Despite the car's fate, thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. You're empowering people! Now I'm in a 2010 Outback 2.5i and it's overdue for replacement of the timing belt and water pump. I've done the work on an 05, but don't quite know what to expect with my 2010. What differences are you aware of that might make this more of a challenge? I appreciate your help!

[@aab434]

I also would like to know

[@Fingermanant1234]

YESSS.....your Ron Paul poster is on point!

[@manaya783]

Excellent video! Thanks for taking the time to do it. You've helped me a ton!

[@conspirwecy]

Great video! Love the star wars wrench intro.

[@Mrjoshnavarro]

This video was very informative, thank you. I was looking for a video explaining how to remove a timing belt but happened here and learned a little.

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks and you're welcome!

[@Whuntmore]

I just found your videos (I clicked like) but did I miss you taking the belt off (or part 1)? I been looking thru your other videos, and I didn't see it. I have a 2008 Legacy 2.5i (non-turbo'd) Keep up the great work.

[@jamezz3100]

Great tutorial with a little humor inserted. Nicely done! And, yes, you are still at the top of Google / KZbin search. Rightly so.

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks for that!

[@Blackford86]

Never mind answering my last question I see your other video about bleed the tensioner thanks for doing it I will watch it

[@briansmobile1]

You and me both! lol I've rebuilt them and they're still just kind of odd. It's a miracle they lubricate.

[@seanmccracken4270]

Hey Brian, another great video, used it on my Daughters car and made the job go smoothly. Recently I saw one of your videos commenting on the poor quality of the Gate kits and non made in Japan parts. I ran into this as well recently, where do you recommend getting Subaru timing belts kits? Thanks again Sean

[@bettymckay6812]

Crankshaft Pulley, Loosening or Tightening of , Crankshaft 22mm Bolt. I found if I position two Dowel pins, or Grade 8 Bolts in the holes, of the pulley face. than place a bar of steel between those bolts, I can loosen or tighten the 22mm bolt accurately. No pipe wrench slipping, or missing hammering, just brute force, and torque wrenching. Your video was great. Thanks. Enjoy

[@patrickmurphy9266]

I believe it's best TB demo video .

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks! I could issue torque specs. I've done this for 24 years now and can tell when things are going to come loose or give out. I use a torque wrench on head bolts and on spindle nuts because you just don't mess around with them being too tight etc. This other stuff is in that range that's just another day at the office.

[@TheVealChop]

I'm really enjoying the videos Brian... thanks for the edjimacation!

[@caseroj6020]

Brian I have to admit I really liked the last part of the video where you describe the merits of a timing belt over a timing chain. I have seen horse power tv episodes where they work on these massive big block racing engines and much to my surprise they use belts instead of chains. I never understood why until I watched your video just now. I have always avoided timing belt vehicles because I am unsure how to change them. I do nearly all of my own repair work from the brakes, to the water pumps, oil changes, power steering pumps even fuel pumps in the gas tank. But I have never done a timing belt before. I don't like the idea of sending the work to be done out to a shop so I stick with what I know. Lately I have been thinking about buying a Volvo V50 wagon. Those come with a belt and so I have been plowing the internet trying to understand how to replace one properly. The belts look completely symmetrical to me so I never really understood why you had to align everything to top dead center. If you remove the belt and make sure the cam shaft sprocket and overhead cam sprockets don't move relative to each other can't you just slip the new belt right over the setup? I have seen some videos where they show markings on the belt themselves. I don't see why this is necessary unless the belts themselves are not completely symmetric. Also let's say you accidentally move the sprockets if you align the TDC markings can you just slip the belt over them in any orientation? Or does the belt have markings that also require they be aligned? Any thoughts? Thanks, Juan

[@poikaa3]

Just finished this job on a 2009 Forester, used a GATES kit from NAPA. Worked well and runs great! Dodged bullet on this as the owner put the job off and the old belt 'lost' about 20 teeth! Engine was at idle but no valve damage!!

[@briansmobile1]

Congrats to all involved. Way to go!

[@aulikj]

Thank you by the way, you have very detailed and helpful video's.

[@JimAppleby]

Hi, thanks for all of the great videos. I'm having a bugger of a time getting the new belt on my 2000 Subaru Outback sedan. I can't seem to get the belt around the right-hand cam-shaft pulley, with the right tension, without it spinning free. I would appreciate any advice you might have.

[@fightingfalconfan]

after watching a few of your video's, I like your guy/girl dynamic. I don't see really any women mechanics. I like that keep up the great work!

[@mikhaelreed9267]

Love all your videos. Did the thermostat in boiling water at a party everyone was amazed. I'll look into the fuel system. It just sputters when I turn the key. I hope the seafoam doesn't destroy injectors. Thank you for the quick response. Wish you had a shop I'd taker her in.

[@torifan1976]

I drive a 2012 Forester with the fb25 engine and I believe it has a chain. Love the car

[@markola]

Best vid I've seen yet!

[@briansmobile1]

They are pretty light. That's one thing that makes them so good in snow/sand/mud.

[@anyheck]

Thanks for the interesting commentary on timing belts vs chains. Can you think of any engines where there is one version/application with a chain and another with a belt that may offer a clue about the real differences in losses?

[@HighVoltsEntertainment]

Hey great video Man you just made my day easier!

[@AamirZ]

Hey Brian, EricTheCarGuy has put a link to this video on his latest video for doing the Timing Belt on his Subaru he had!

[@MrKrueger88]

Thankyou..... I'm about to do mine and you've made it look too easy .

[@Mikesturbinizderti]

Hey Brian great video I just did this to my subie but now if I try to accelerate hard my car chokes is this something to do with the tensioner failing I believe the belt could be tighter

[@456williade]

Hey Brian I have loved all your videos I first say them cause I looked up sti rebuild brought you up I miss those sub long videos I'm planning on getting a sti I'm diesel mechanic apprentence I just like to learn new things plz plz upload more subaru videos

[@MrRottincorps]

Great Video. I'm going out to replace the belt on my 2.5 sohc Subaru motor. It should be a lot easier, well because it's in a sand rail. thanks for the tips with the paper clips.

[@carlosdanger4954]

Thanks for pointing out it's safe to turn the camshaft. Mine sprung out of position, that step wasn't included in the installation instructions.

[@briansmobile1]

On which engines? Drivers side? Near the EGR pipe?

[@briansmobile1]

I know what you mean. I've heard that from other tech's I've worked with, but I have this old one that just won't die.

[@bundysgarage]

Good video Bryan. Very informative. Keep if up.

[@mikhaelreed9267]

Lots of fun. All day in the cold checking things and turning the key I now notice when my crankshaft mark is in line both camshaft markings are out of sink 80 deg to the left. Somehow the toothcount is off even with the marks alligned it rotates out of sink. Most likely bent it dead by this time. Going to have to do some digging on this one. Thanks.

[@dane9736]

Awesome as always... great videos man. What are your thoughts of the cheater bar and turning over engine for a second to break the crankshaft bolt loose? and the belt method, where you have one of the smaller belts wrap around the alternator and the crankshaft pulley to crack it loose?

[@briansmobile1]

You're supposed to use a special tool for that ( I have) but I don't always use it. Just make sure you have the crank mark lined up.

[@robrich8294]

Great video!! I forgot all about the drill bits and using that this time around for the tensioner. I got robbed on the passenger side as my plastic composite camshaft sprocket broke in 8 pieces and just noticed this engine has a metal one for both sides of the engine. Dumb setup using plastic camshaft sprockets as I’m unsure if my engine is junk.

[@Blackford86]

Sir great video, I got a question do you bleed the Tensioner pulls piston and if you do can you show us. Thanks

[@vincenth2006]

the video was very helpful. I wish you had gone into more instructions on tightening the crankshaft bolt. when I tighten it just turns the whole engine. I'm looking for a "cheater" way to hold it in place! thanks again for the good video

[@baseballer88888888]

nice vid! i have a 09 legacy coming up on 90k miles and am gonna have to do the reg maintenance. do you have anything on this? also what do you think about the cabin air filters?

[@ciusesnal4335]

I did it this morning. It wasn’t easy for me. I spent a lot time to do it. Thanks! I didn’t use ur way

[@briansmobile1]

Did you watch the video 1st or after?

[@lpatkins316]

hey man. i love the vids! nice work. i have a 98 2.5L DOHC. I'm replacing all my front seals and need a way to get all four cam sprocket bolts loose (without turning the cams, of course). Do you know if an electric impact wrench will work for that? Won't it just break the bolt without turning the cam? I'm poised to attempt it but I just don't want to ruin anything internal. Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

[@gjkrisa]

hi great videos love them all! have a question on the 93 to 01 standard Impreza's how do you pull the shifter out once undoing the one bolt do you just pull really hard to get it out of the socket? I've tried twisting it and seems there is a rubber piece I'm worried of breaking.😖

[@briansmobile1]

Yes. They come with a valve cover gasket set.

[@jay7264]

Hey brian love your videos especially the helis. Quick question i have a 2000 solara v6 5sp on first start i have valve clatter for about 20 seconds should i be concerned? It has 175k no oil consuption and runs well once warmed up

[@powderskihound]

you can use the alternator belt an alternator to remove the crank Bolt. that saves me big wrenches on your harmonic balancer. it is done by having the belt go around the alternator and the harmonic balancer and then using the belt to pinch itself on that harmonic balancer preventing it from spinning while loosening the bolt

[@mathewderdzinski745]

Timing chains are F**king magical! If my Subaru had a chain we wouldnt need this video! ;D On that note, video was helpful, thank you

[@darrengeorge7630]

I love watching your videos, very informative, and so down to earth with the repairs. You make repairs look so easy, and with minimal tools. I wish I could talk with you about a 2009 Subaru forest boxer engine I am working on now, it really has me in the dark.

[@wilson3707able]

Once again Great video. I would like to knw if there is a big difference doing this on the 04 outback H6 engine? Please let me knw thx

[@angelrivera8225]

Hey Brian like your videos especially for sohc subarus they help me a lot on timing belts and engine swaps .I'm doing my foresters engine is dohc and is making me go crazy with the timing belt every time I put it on all marks and some way some how when I put the belt on to that last idler pulley the driver side pulleys with tension they always pass a half a tooth or sometimes two teeth off and that's driving me crazy I need help how do I get the timing marks to aligned all

[@rwheatyy]

Hey Brian, Looking into doing the timing belt on my 2003 Outback (awesome video btw). It was supposedly done around 100k Miles and I have got it up to 140k now. Recently noticed a leak around the water pump and spreading down the timing belt cover and was worried about rad fluid having found its way into the timing belt chamber. If that's the case, what sort of damage should I be expecting to find? Really hoping it's just a spent seal near the waterpump.

[@martiniindustries]

An Allen wrench also works really well to hold the tensioner in place. That way you have a bent piece to pull on, and you don't have to ruin a drill bit!