Subaru 2.5L EJ25 Timing Belt Replacement | EJ25 Water Pump and Thermostat Replacement

Subaru timing belt, water pump and thermostat replacement performed on a 2010 Impreza 2.5 non-turbo. This timing belt replacement can help with virtually any late model Subaru 2.5 non-turbo engine; such as the timing belt found on the Subaru Forester, timing belt found on the Subaru Outback, timing belt found on the Subaru Legacy and so forth.
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This video is being performed by an experienced tech. Any attempt to repair automotive parts and/or systems carries risk of personal injury. Always adhere and follow safe practices when working on vehicles. Such as, use safety glasses, jack stands, no loose clothing, etc. No guarantee or warranty is implied. Use the information in this video at your own risk. If you don't think you can perform the job then be smart and don't. Carsntoys is a member of the Amazon Influencer Program.
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Subaru Timing Belt - Water Pump - Thermostat Replacement
• Subaru 2.5L EJ25 Timin...
Carsntoys
/ carsntoys

[@Django44]

Absolutely one of the best videos on Suby jobs I have seen in years: very clear verbal instructions and explanations, really good camera & lighting work - especially in the tight spots, and superb explanations about the "why's and wherefor's" of certain parts of the job, like torque settings, grade 10 bolts etc. You would be a good teacher in high school auto mechanics. Great job; thank you.

[@RickCicchini]

Well, that's convenient. My '11 Impreza just hit 100k miles and KZbin recommended this video to me. It's watching.

[@dannyslayer]

Great video Mr. Carsntoys! I did this on my 2010 Subaru impreza, this took my about 12 hours to do due to the poor condition of my timing cover bolts. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to do this! One helpful thing is using gasket sealer to hold the gasket down for the water pump, it took me quite awhile to get this right.

[@HollomanUFOLanding]

This is the best video out there regarding EJ25 timing belts. Really clear and helpful. Some other videos on this topic have you lining up the arrow on the cam pulley, which is incorrect. Thanks so much for making this and your other great videos!!

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. I tried to address specific content missing in other videos. Cheers.

[@davidmillerd7631]

Well demonstrated and explained , I really like the paper clamp hack to hold the belts in place, Thanks for posting !

[@finnmiller9503]

Super good vid man Not scared to replace my timing belt anymore

[@jimbono2231]

Nice job! love the Z in the background

[@xk8249]

very great explaining, easy to understand..thanks

[@daddyoalcaraz4030]

Thank you for taking your time and explaining your steps. My son has a 2002 bug eye and it looks like its going to need a new water pump. How and what you do for each section is extremely helpful!!

[@CarsNToys]

Glad it helped!

[@davidellis5312]

Very helpful video, good for prep. I had a very hard time getting my new belt on as it was way tight. My kit came with a Dayco belt here in the UK. After routing the belt around I finally succeeded by progressively warming it up with a hairdryer and pushing it up over the chamfer of the water pump idler last. The job brings satisfaction but took longer than I thought.

[@CarsNToys]

Glad it worked out!

[@Kevinm0626]

I just put it all together and put the tensioner on last. Worked out so much easier that way.

[@harmoniousveselka8421]

Bumping the engine to break the crank pulley bolt free worked great - thanks!!!

[@amulawarman]

Awesome instructions. Great video quality.

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you.

[@thebruhhh]

Thank you for such great detail! My serpentine stretch belt crapped on me (I did a shitty job putting it on with that tool. Damn it was tight), and I might as well do the timing belt with it since it has to be cut (I’m at 110K). I feel armed and ready to do this. Thank you so much for this video.

[@CarsNToys]

Happy to help. (I hate the stretch belt as well.)

[@xamoi]

Concise and informative. Awesome content!

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. Appreciate the feedback. Cheers.

[@agm6095]

Excellent video. I have an 09 Forester which looks like the Impreza your working on. I will take mine to a shop, I don't trust my mechanical ability. I now understand why the labor is so much to do this work. Thanks for a fine video.

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. Glad to show the steps involved.

[@82dupont]

I purchased the tool, it makes a huge difference. Also don’t forget to get water pump gasket maker from local auto store, you will need the gasket maker to seat water pump gasket before installing it. If you don’t it will move all over the place and make the job nearly impossible and incredibly frustrating.

[@utahbones3094]

Best video out there! Thank you.👍

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you! Appreciate the feedback.

[@ginieaduki8771]

Very good explanations, thank you. In what position should I place the bleeder nib of the thermostat if the thermostat housing is under the water pump? (Subaru Impreza 2.0 from year 2000)

[@alivia4907]

Thanks for the video! It looks very simple and probably the easiest timing belt I've seen as far as lining it up for timing. Btw I'm doing this for the 1st time and my 09 wrx that has 323k on it 😂. I'm shocked it's lasted this long bc I bought it when it had 50k on it.

[@gabrielquintana4407]

Hello! very good video I will do the same with my Subaru Impreza 2008, thanks greetings from Argentina!

[@dumbass3770]

nice information and great mechanic ability

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. Glad to help.

[@Josecuervo2go]

great video. I've seen many and yours by far is very informative. half way through and I just wanted to say, thanks for taking the time to help us who are first timers.

[@ozzstars_cars]

Hey man great job with the video, should help a lot of people. How's the old 240z coming along?

[@CarsNToys]

Thanks man. I've been a little busy with projects but I'll have an update on the Z shortly. Cheers

[@jameydog8]

Great vid !!

[@dhderek]

Did you find the camshaft sprockets had any tension on them, in the sense that they would rotate out of position once they got a small nudge? Thanks for the nice video

[@raynaidu2500]

Did you bleed the tensioner as per the yellow papered instructions?

[@josephdavi5168]

Please explain your "safety check" a little clearer for the next guy. You say to spin the crank around "once" and make sure the timing belt is still in alignment..... That statement should be that your timing "marks" are still in alignment(crank w/cam1 and cam2) not that the belt marks. The "belt marks will not be in alignment and that is OK. ITS THE TIMING MARKS THAT ARE ALIGNED. Also it takes to full rotations of the crank to get the cams to come back around to check. I am just a regular guy who used your video to do my 2010 EJ25 2.5L H4 motors timing belt H2O pump etc. And that one statement threw me for a loop. Lol. Other than that I was able to do my entire job with this video tutorial, and for that I say THANK YOU!!!

[@espnocho7904]

Great video i enjoy watching all your videos I learn lot from them. but I noticed you didn't change cam & crank seals or reseal oil pump. do you think I'll be Ok?

[@CarsNToys]

I do but you can always change them if it worries you. The newer Subaru's require special tools for the crank and cam oil seals. Sometimes you can get around it using the right sized socket.

[@Philcancontrator]

Good guy Highly recommend only Subaru OEM parts never go aftermarket on these major components. You'll understand why when you lose your engine.

[@jamesdinh352]

Great video. Thank you.

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help.

[@tajhealthnature8570]

Nice 🎥 very patient

[@chrisadamcik4979]

Do you want to replace any cam SEALS or your variable valve timing solenoid while you're in there?

[@AoP893]

Do you have to torque the idler puller on the tensioner or is that set from the manufacturer and you just do the mounting bracket bolt?

[@johnnydoggs]

Awesome! Genius

[@dirtleg417]

Really wanting to take on the challenge and do this job myself but that being said does anyone know what all components are changed if I were to take my Subaru to the Subaru dealership?

[@caleblino8576]

that 240 though😍😍

[@CarsNToys]

Yes but the rust was relentless. Frame rails, floor pan..all shot.

[@backfromthedeadgamer9566]

What if my oil pump itself isn't lined up? The two wheels on either side are lined up. I went ahead and removed the timing belt and replaced the water pump. Should I rotate the oil pump before installing the new belt or leave it as is?

[@johnmarshall6130]

So when I finished putting the timing belt on, I forgot to pull the pin om the hydraulic tensioner. Then turned the belt one full turn and the lines no longer lined up. Can I pull the belt off, line up the cam pulleys and the oil pump again and put the belt back on? ANYONE KNOW?

[@KLNYC]

Good instruction... For the crank bolt, just get a bar that reached to the floor? And crank like 1/2 of second? Im soo afraid something will break lol. My 2007 OB has 88k miles now.

[@josephdavi5168]

I did it to my 2010 Forester and it worked like a charm. 👍

[@whoknows1631]

How do you know if forward facing thermostat or down facing thermostat? how do i tell the difference? My car model has option for both and i need to know to buy the kit

[@williamcarter1532]

Definitely get the Aisin kit with water pump. All oem parts. About $200 on rockauto.

[@justchipsfishing8951]

Hey mate. What happens if all the lines don't line up after you do the full rotation? Iv only done 1 full rotation and while the lines on the belt still line up great with the marks on the engine they don't however line up with the ones on the pulley. Have I done something wrong? I'm freaking out over here 😨😱

[@richrodriguez6543]

One small nit pick, when you turn the crank to double check that your marks align you will actually need to make two full revolutions of the crank for the cams to go around once. Don't freak out when your belt marks do not align [they won't] the main thing to check for is that your crank gear and cam pulley marks are all aligned exactly. The belt marks are only an aid for initial belt installation. Otherwise good video!

[@SouthernCrossSailing]

Would this basically be the same for a 09 FXT?

[@polishpwr08]

Hey there. Thank you for this video. So helpful. Could you please share where you got the kit/parts? So hard to find Japanese specific ones online.

[@josephdavi5168]

I got all OEM parts through Amazon.

[@professionaltinkerer]

Just an FYI on the Gates kits. Basically, they now have 2 kits, 1 with the Chinese bearings and such and then a "premium" kit with the Japanese bearings. You want to look for the kit with an "N" as the last digit in the part number. The premium kit is like 20-30 dollars more.

[@CarsNToys]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@estan1965]

I purchased the Aisin TKF-006 for $207.30 including taxes and shipping on Ebay for my 2009 Subaru Forester. It has all the original OEM Japanese made timing belt, bearings, tensioner and water pump.

[@82dupont]

What if all my alignment marks are off when I do one full rotation? The belt is lined up but none of the cams are in line

[@benchangsaw9652]

This engine looks very similar to my 2007 outback. Do you think this tutorial would work for a 2007 outback?

[@MrCox-ev8zo]

i’m way late, but that engine was in the 2007. it ran till 2010, and the newer ones are just tweaked versions. but yes, i’ve got an 07 outback manual trans, and this is the engine in it

[@o.c.stiggs5377]

How do you get the crankshaft and cam indexing marks to line up with their respective marks on the engine block before removing the belt, idlers, etc?

[@thebruhhh]

He has an inspection video which should show it

[@TheD3m1G0D]

One thing to note; when you install the timing belt and align the marks on the camshafts and oil pump with the marks on the belt, after turning the engine over once or twice, the marks on the belt WILL NOT line up with the marks on the camshafts and oil pump (they will line up after so many rotations of the engine though). Those marks will line up with the marks on the engine however, just not the marks on the belt. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[@justchipsfishing8951]

Iv just had rhe same issue? I'm bloody freaking out man!!😮😮

[@briankutrufis3464]

did you buy a complete kit or the parts individually? If so what kit? Thanks great video

[@thebruhhh]

I bought an Aisin TKF-006 kit off amazon. It arrived and all Japanese parts.

[@937wigger]

When I was at the dealer buying parts to do this job on my 08, the parts guy told me they don’t even sell the coolant conditioner anymore due to it possibly clogging the heater core, since essentially all the coolant conditioner is , is stop leak, which was for the earlier models that had headgasket problems. I went ahead and ordered some off of amazon, but never used it. I wonder if I should. Any thoughts?

[@CarsNToys]

I haven't had any issues using the conditioner.

[@Sam-zu6wy]

what does this have to do with the waterpump and timing belt replacemt? and why is this guys inculudin the thermostat in this video!?

[@bwebby9628]

I think because you are taking off the water pump you will have to drain the radiator or somehow clamp the hose going into it (probably not a good idea). He left out the part where he filled the radiator, but i'm sure he filled and burped it as he had to have had it drained before he took off all of the hoses at the beginning of the video.

[@stephenhunt6253]

Great video! I didn't see the hard part (i.e., getting the water pump gasket to stay in place while installing the new water pump) shown though. ;)

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. You can use a small amount of sealant (water pump / thermostat rtv sealant) to hold the gasket in place.

[@backfromthedeadgamer9566]

Wish I'd seen this comment before I had my wife help me keep it in place. Lol

[@YoureNowOnTV]

You can also use two screwdrivers slotted through the holes. Line up the pump the hand tighten the other bolts.

[@StoplightRave]

When you say Grade 10 bolts (for the crank pulley) I'm guessing you mean metric Class 10.9 (versus 8.8)?

[@CarsNToys]

Correct. You can also try standard A325 if the diameter fits.

[@mikeajames9261]

Where is the other video in the description?

[@ethand5672]

Honestly, this seems super easy!

[@weefek]

yeah try it yourself lmfao

[@ethand5672]

Probably will. Seems a lot easier than the g37 I did earlier this year.

[@TheMrFlyBoy18]

I’m doing my timing belt job on my 2007 sti and the driver side cam shafts don’t line up but the left side is timed perfectly. The ride side is off and when I try to rotate them clockwise I eventually feel good resistance and feel like if I push hard or push it I might bend valves. Please help how can I fix the driver side cams so I can get them lined up and then I can finally belt on the new belt?

[@ethand5672]

Did your timing belt slip at all? If so, could indicate damage. If not, could just be how it is. Engine isn't that easy to crank over to begin with.

[@parkinson1963]

On my 1999 Subaru. Removing the radiator and the fans as a whole unit is easier and faster. Dealing with those rusty 10 mm fan bolts is pain.

[@raynaidu2500]

8mm bolts don't fit in the pulley unless you either enlarge the holes, or grind down down the threads on the bolts

[@hondafreak8613]

That “conditioner” is a stop leak, really just a temp fix to get new Subarus out of warranty period. After the warranty runs out, they say kick rocks when head gaskets blow completely. I would NEVER add that to my car. Unless you want plugged heater core and radiator

[@espnocho7904]

Quick question you wouldn't happen to know the length of the bolts used to hold the crank pulley still

[@CarsNToys]

mmm probably 3"

[@bonifacemuriuki3229]

You can hold the fly wheel with a long screw driver. Theirs an opening in the engine bell housing.

[@Mpompi315.]

After you rotated the engine and checked everything how did you take the crankshaft bolt out?

[@CarsNToys]

Just give it a quick yank.

[@Mpompi315.]

CarsNToys what if the crank spins backwards lol? I was gonna do it on mine but I’m afraid of it spinning back

[@82dupont]

How do you hold water pump gasket in place will trying to install it? It moves a lot

[@YoureNowOnTV]

Slot two screwdrivers in holes to line it up.

[@o.c.stiggs5377]

Is the Aisin TKF-006 the correct kit for that engine?

[@thebruhhh]

Yes

[@karpo888]

Question. Where is the water temperature sensor located???

[@CarsNToys]

Try this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJnTpqeXbJ6lgrM

[@miikaoland]

how often to change water pump forest 2005 ?

[@eyesopen444]

Every 100,000

[@jjclarkson3261]

Excellent video, but my dude, the MUSIC VOLUME is out of control! At least 2X or more louder BLAST!!! Ugh. Please pay closer attention to the detail and keep up the excellent videos

[@campeon4022]

WHY MY TIME BELT COME OFF i follow all point , please help?

[@marcelolima4172]

You should be a teacher in a Tech school, the way you explain things is easy to understand, great work. by the way, my 2010 forester just snap the time belt, what’s is the best way to find out if It the valves are good and the engine is not damaged ? ,

[@Billy-zo9bk]

How many miles were on it when the belt broke?

[@marcelolima4172]

@@Billy-zo9bk man this one was gates brand and Broke with 168.000 miles. There’s no pressure @ all I still have the car in my driveway

[@Billy-zo9bk]

@@marcelolima4172 Was the belt ever changed before? Maybe you can do a leak down test. It will show which cylinders are unable to hold pressure, which would mean the valves are bent.

[@marcelolima4172]

@@Billy-zo9bk if it’s just 1 or 2 any idea of average price to fix that ? Is worthy?

[@Kevinm0626]

“You don’t have any choice, you have to cut the belt and you need a special tool to install the new belt.” Challenge accepted! 😏 I was successful in doing this without cutting/replacing the A/C belt. I unbolted the A/C compressor and took the belt off. Going back together was difficult and I wouldn’t recommend doing it that way! 😅 But, it can be done. 😄

[@mohammadhassanshoshtari5066]

hi. i do it without cutting.

[@jakeleissa4497]

I know it's too late now and this is a great video showing the correct process but for everyone wanting to do this and properly torque their bolts DO NOT use extensions on your torque wrenches.

[@keithh3767]

Why. sometimes there's no other way to get to the bolt

[@meghano1989]

Better advice would be to follow the instructions included with your torque wrench. Normally they allow for a certain length of extension to be used withno adjustment to the torque setting. Beyond that, there are simple equations available online for you to make the necessary adjustments to your torque setting if you need to use a longer extension.

[@keithh3767]

@@meghano1989 it must be due to some internal mechanism of the wrench. mathematically, if the extension stays true (in-line, perpendicular, in the same plane) to the bolt. it should not matter the length of the extension. although, just realized. I'm talking about an extension from the socket to the wrench. Are you, and Jake, talking about an extension of the wrench itself? Like a breaker bar?

[@ciusesnal4335]

please,where did u find the retainers for the timing belt ? the clamps ?

[@CarsNToys]

They're just your normal office binder clips, like these: www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZXWXTB7?psc=1

[@FillTheWoodb]

+CarsNToys i literally just went to the shop and had this done on my 2010 N/A 165k :'(

[@FillTheWoodb]

+CarsNToys You got me worried what you said about the parts coming from Japan. My mechanic purchased Aisin timing belt kit.. Please tell me those are Japanese made...

[@CarsNToys]

Yes, Aisin is well known. They're a Japanese supplier. No need to worry. Cheers.

[@FillTheWoodb]

Thanks for the reply! Love the N/A videos, Keep'em coming! Cheers.

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help.

[@ihatecivicssomuch]

What do you do if the lines don't match up?

[@CarsNToys]

Try flipping the belt. It may be upside down.

[@ihatecivicssomuch]

CarsNToys no I mean like the camshaft pullys and the oil pump. Are they just automatically lined up when you shut the car off? I shouldn't expect them to be the lines to not be lined up?

[@CarsNToys]

It's shown in the video; around the 7:15 mark.

[@ihatecivicssomuch]

CarsNToys oh so I can just rotate each pulley individually To line up each one before I remove the belt? Or is that done before you add the new belt? Sorry for all the questions. Answers are very appreciated.

[@jackmillar1726]

Buy a car manual - you don’t want to make major adjusts or your timing will be out.

[@D-Mny]

Just a random comment on this 4 year old video. In the thumbnail you're pointing to the timing belt with an arrow on the left and cam sprocket on the right which is incorrectly labels as water pump.

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. The water pump is shown on the upper right hand corner. I will update the icon to enlarge.

[@thetroof5525]

You might consider putting the model and year in the title.

[@CarsNToys]

Appreciate the feedback. Most Subaru's will have a similar design.

[@thetroof5525]

@@CarsNToys Thank you for replying. I would just say that Im not sure a layman, like myself, will have the confidence to proceed with an operation such as replacing a timing belt for a 2007 impreza by watching a video with a different year of a different model (your video came up in a search for "timing belt replacement 2007 Impreza"). I sincerely hope you wont be offended by my comments; Folks like you provide much needed and much appreciated advice and I Thank you. Have a great day friend.

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. Appreciate the feedback. Be well.

[@floanimalplaysanimaljam345]

Just buy parts at the dealer and avoid headaches.

[@weefek]

yeaaaaah thats the crank shaft not the oil pump.....

[@94757598494309438]

So Crank bolt threads/face to be oiled and "wet torqued" on reinstall. According to Dayco: First torque crank pulley bolt to 33ft.lbs. Then Torque to 126-134ft.lbs. Check that bolt turns 65-75 degrees. If not, remove and install new bolt. :kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHS4loiOlN2teaM

[@CarsNToys]

Hope it helped!

[@94757598494309438]

@@CarsNToys Yes. Great Help. Got the Aisin rebuild kit today. All Japanese parts!

[@instagator2847]

5:33 kill the ignition somehow ffs, just hold the flywheel next time access is under the intake... those idlers will fail in 20k

[@gohilux]

Insta gator this is only used to break the crank bolt loose and has nothing to do with the idlers.

[@ralphbrown2714]

USING THE STARTER TO LOOSEN THE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT. REALLY. PEOPLE WHO DONT KNOW WATCH THESE VIDEOS.