Step by Step: Subaru Forester Outback Legacy 2.5 EJ25 Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement

[@RingZero]

Thanks - This is by far the best video that explains the step-by-step details of this job. Truly appreciate for putting this video together. I am allergic to YT ads so I have downloaded the video for future reference.

[@pat_makes_stuff]

For anyone who doesn't have an AC belt tool, I used a pry bar. There's a video out there on how to do that also. Thank you for the video, worked like a charm!

[@scottbenjamin5047]

A huge thank you for that tip about tightening the top of the belt. The lines on my belt were nowhere near the timing marks and the belt wasn't going over the toothed idler at all. I held the belt to the pullies with spring clips and tugged on both sides at once. Not being blessed with three hands I used a breaker bar on one side so I could push it with my head. I'm guessing that rather than the belt stretching it simply settled more fully into the sprocket teeth. Now the lines and marks line up perfectly.

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Haha, 😂 that's using your head! That last pulley is a challenge for sure.

[@largesizejellyfish3014]

Thanks for your video. I had my phone propped up in my engine bay and followed a long stopping and rewinding as necessary. I also enjoyed your tips. Marking the socket to see 60 degrees blew my mind! I also seen other videos that had other people and they too had good tips but your video was the easiest to follow! This has been my biggest project so far and everything turned out well. Thanks again!

[@lowxpectations]

I don't even own a Subaru but yet here I am and even watched to the end, very well done

[@chuckborozinski5110]

Absolutely one of the best videos I've watched. Great job!

[@manauryreyes7262]

Thanks!

[@kirbsanify]

Good describing the electrical connection. Knowing those details can make for an easy job. So many vids just pan over the clip and say "disconnect it".

[@manauryreyes7262]

YOOO BROO!!! YOU'RE AWESOME FOR THIS VID!!!!! I need to change these exact parts like yesterday an was contemplating taking it to a mechanic and probably get charged $1500+ just for labor but the way you did it and displayed it was perfect. I APPRECIATE IT YOU!! keep making more of these Subaru Forester videos...

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Thanks man! Glad this is helpful 👍

[@YoureNowOnTV]

Hey thanks for doing this! I'm about to change my EJ20E (2.0 litre) Timing belt on my 1998 Subaru Impreza. I've found a few video's but a lot of people skip the torque settings for tightening things up. Appreciate you making and uploading this for everyone. Cheers.

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Glad this video is helpful. Just a note, torque specs may be different for your vehicle than the one worked on in the video 👍

[@fionnmccueil]

Thank you for straightforward advice and cutting to the cahse on so many things! NOT removing the left timing sprocket makes me happy! Just keep Zeph on the road a bit longer, then she can retire after 17 years of roadtrips and commuting.

[@dwphillips42]

Im glad you talked about the timing guide thing that looks like a guard.I thought the previous owner had changed my timing belt and didn't put it back on, but the car is automatic. Thanks for the video.

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

You're welcome 👍

[@toddcoates5584]

First subaru I've done .you definitely have very good details on the job.thanks for the video.

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Cool, glad this was helpful 👍

[@magsteel9891]

Excellent video. Great pace, descriptions, and camera work.

[@mikeajames9261]

The Loctite is for the Tentioner pulley mounting bolt. Great job! Thank you!

[@benfica55]

Thank you for your video, it was right on, very descriptive. I had a coolant leak from the timing belt guard on the right side and started to think it man not have been the pump, but since I had bought all the parts ( Timing belt Pump and the pulleys) I went ahead step by step as you did, and after that ran it and no more leaks, so thank you again for your help.

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

You're welcome! Glad this was helpful 👊

[@buckdude181]

Thanks a lot man. Just did mine. Frozzy runs great again 🙌🏼 I had a water pump leak and did this whole kit on it from ASIN. Awesome kit 💯

[@StanfordWelch]

Thanks man

[@castawaygibo9661]

Less than an hour on KZbin vs me that takes 1 full day 😢. At least you showed me how. It's always stubborn bolts and heat of the sun that play factors and getting oil and coolant in my eyeballs and running and tripping into the door laying on the floor going aaaaa ooooo for 2 minutes then hobbling to the sink. My life is ridiculous glad I live alone I'd hate to project my mess with others 😅.

[@diannetipton8208]

Outstanding video! I think I can do this now. You should teach professionally, you’re great at it.

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Thanks Dianne! You got this 👊

[@ianwilkinson5549]

Thank you mate.

[@MarkAlan-o6r]

Excellent Tutorial - Couple questions: Is it necessary to bleed the new tensioner before installing it? How best to get TDC before disassembly

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

@@MarkAlan-o6r No fluid flows through the tensioner so bleeding it isn't necessary. For TDC you can take the left side timing cover off, it's a small cover, and turn the crank until the marks line up. Hopefully that's helpful 👍

[@merrittwolcott6567]

How many miles was on this Ej25good work got right to the point very good demonstration on this procedure ❤

[@mikeajames9261]

Thank You!

[@hassanrafipour7441]

excellent

[@Narious324]

Just FYI, The locktite is actually for the hydraulic tensioner. I just bought a kit myself and that's what my instructions said.

[@CDVEDROD]

Excellent video! I followed it each step of the way and was successful. The socket tip was very useful. The only place I stumbled was with installing the toothed pulley. The new one was not quite the same as the old and so I think I had it on backwards because it wasn't torqueing correctly. It kept acting like it was going to strip out at 29 foot pounds. One question: When you bled the coolant did you start with the radiator cap off?

[@jaesmalls9702]

How long do you think it took you?

[@MrMangofresco]

How much would a repair like this cost? I'm in Montreal, Canada.

[@johnlong384]

Thanks a lot for your very detailed & helpful info-video Robert. Was the belt you took off the one from the factory and did it last 175 K? I have the same vehicle with almost 137 K on it and since I bought it used about 10 K ago, I don't know anything about the maintenance done to my vehicle and, since replacing the belt didn't look like a lot of fun, I may try to install a new belt at 200.000 miles hoping not to get an unpleasant surprise before that belt service will be done. Thanks again and take care!

[@richardmcnair8440]

Where is you shop?

[@rg1809]

To what extent can I follow these steps for a 2009 Forester XT (Turbo)?

[@mikeallen4331]

You mentioned toward the end transmission lines? Did I miss a portion about the lines? Thanks!

[@ronymorales3527]

I think the fan does ever the transmission lines if I am not wrong

[@tommytutone2584]

Awesome video, very meticulous! Do you recommend a Subaru OEM water pump?

[@waynelove6567]

Where do you get that large two part tool that you put together and then used, I believe it was bronze colour and had 4 shafts coming off the head? thanks

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

That's for holding the crank pulley while taking off and putting on the bolt. There should be a link in the description 👍

[@yangsunee1911]

Hello sir. what size mounting bolts you use? 6.5mm? could you please check size of 6 holes on the water pump?

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Sorry this vehicle is no longer in the shop.

[@penelopecline2797]

I'm about to do this myself and am struggling to find the accessory belt. Can you use two of the Gates K050344 Micro-V Serpentine Drive Belt -- will that same belt work for both AC and accessory belts?

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Hey Penelope, unfortunately the two belts are different. The AC belt is a special "stretch to fit" belt that requires a tool for installation.

[@soinclined95]

@@ValleyMobileAutomotive i have the tool you listed, just unsure what belt to purchase

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

@@soinclined95 Any local auto parts store should have it. If it's not in stock usually they can have it the next day. Another place I go if I don't need a part right away is rockauto.com. Hopefully that helps 👍

[@danron462]

When I removed my cover the crank pulley was almost exactly lined up, but both timing marks on cam gears were straight down,??

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Then spin the crank around one more time. The cams are 180* off. One spin on the crank will do the trick 👍

[@danron462]

O got ya, if the crank is of 1 tooth from being straight up when the cams are straight up will that make it run poorly and die

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

@@danron462 Yeah, everything needs to line up perfectly. One tooth can make a big difference on how it runs.

[@danron462]

It is running poorly, it will start and idle rough and when I put in gear it dies. I pulled timing cover and both cam marks were straight down and crank was off to right 1 tooth, can the timing jump? The shop said the timing was off 7 teeth, I'm not sure how they came to that conclusion

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

@@danron462 Timing can jump when components wear out. If it's an old belt I would go ahead and install the timing kit with water pump. If it's a new belt and tensioner you can pull it back off and reset the timing.

[@jjualvare]

I have a 2009 Forester with 85000 miles on it, I don't drive it often. My question is when is the time to replace the timing belt? At what milage or months is recommended to change timing belt before break down? Thanks.

[@NahidTube]

Did you figure it out? I'm in the similar situation

[@TheGrayWolf81]

I believe it's after 7 years or 100k miles, whichever comes first

[@humbertoescobar5853]

Anyone here know the reason why 09 subaru forester have misfire with new plugs and wires. It carbonizes plug on cylinder 2 and 4

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

Check compression and compare cylinders 2,4 with 1,3. Your misfires are only affecting one side of the engine and not the other so you can rule out anything that they all share together like the mass airflow sensor or oxygen sensor. If compression is low I would suspect a head gasket or timing issue on that one head (as a guess).

[@phototorque]

Great video! Which timing belt/water pump kit did you use or did you buy everything separately?

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

I can't remember. I believe it was Gates? It was what the local parts store had available. It came in a kit with everything.

[@tumendalaimunkhdalai1233]

Is it turbo ej25 engine DOHC ?

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

No this is non turbo single overhead cam.

[@tumendalaimunkhdalai1233]

@@ValleyMobileAutomotive thanks for reply. Do we need to put gear in D position (auto)or N ? did u plug the spark plug_?

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

@@tumendalaimunkhdalai1233 the car was in park, if you own a manual transmission then it would need to be in neutral to spin the engine. And I left the spark plugs in. If you take the plugs out then plugging the holes is a good idea so debris doesn't get in the engine.

[@tumendalaimunkhdalai1233]

My last pulley hole got little bit stripped and now can not reach required torque. But its gets tight enough which bare hand cant move. Is it okay to leave it like this? Or am I totally f’ed?

[@ValleyMobileAutomotive]

@@tumendalaimunkhdalai1233 hmm... You might be able to install a helicoil insert. They are really strong and should be able to support the torque required on that bolt. I wouldn't risk driving it if you can't get it tight enough.