Subaru EJ Series Engine Timing Belt Service Tips And Tricks!

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----I assume no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. I recommend safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond my control, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not myself.----

[@somethingelse1988]

Had a great weekend working on the Legacy for her 200k service. Timing belt, tensioners and water pump changed, coolant flushed and replaced, trans fluid changed, air filter changed, Maf sensor cleaned, oil and filter replaced, new spark plugs and leads, rear brake pads and discs replaced and new rear wheel bearings. Oh I almost forgot new cabin filter and replaced the fan blower as it was noisy!! All replaced with a few tips from your videos MrSubaru, so thank you. Busy weekend!!

[@volks-jager]

i use a couple really long m6 bolts for alignment, then swap them out for the normal ones after the other 4 bolts are in. 100% agree on the OEM thermostats. the aftermarket ones are total rubbish

[@2003wrx64]

I made a couple of studs from some old bolts that I cut the head off of. Even easier!

[@markjohnson3737]

EJ content never gets old, regardless of what it’s pushing.

[@JoseGonzalez-ew6zz]

I was having all kinds of drivability issues, surging , low power, hard startup. It was all because of my timing belt. I was going crazy trying to figure it out. Your videos helped me change my timing belt and get my wrx back to her glory days

[@bierbrauer11]

Will keep this in mind for my next service, which is coming up quickly! Wow, 2 timing belts, amazing

[@foxtrot9711]

Going to use these tips and tricks when I do my brother's 1992 Subaru Legacy timing belt. Really appreciate the video. Keep up the good work. 👍👍

[@stvnswld]

I used to use GMB kits with Evergeen racing timing belt. I've learned the hard way, but I have indeed learned. OEM only on timing! Thanks MrSubaru!

[@freightpeddler]

Tackling this job this weekend. Thanks so much for this video. Extremely helpful

[@Telesko]

I am new to servicing my car and this video inspired me to look up when I should replace my timing belt. Turns out I am right on the money so these tips have been very helpful, thank you!

[@qualityreno9689]

this gut Rocks! even if you didn't own a Subaru, yet, you'd want to get one, cause he gives you enough confidence, to tackle most Subaru repairs!

[@cptkorean]

LOL 1:38 idk why it's so funny to me. How you slowly shake to violently shake the pulley.

[@zacharylafleur5099]

love this guy i always come to him when i need anything and also watch a tool video if im on the fence. thank you and keep the great videos coming

[@patrickzadd5215]

I agree!

[@xwittyxxxkidx]

Where are y’all located at?

[@robertvanderhoof5283]

Thanks father tips. Another great episode.

[@DKSE123]

Thumbs Up. Always Enjoy Your Videos

[@OgFansy]

Mr.Subaru No joking Ur the emblem of subaru mechanic i learn so much of you Ur the god of subaru thanks for all the work advise and experience you have done and share for the subaru community keep up the good work like always thanks again brother!

[@austinkunkle4103]

Getting 50's radio announcer vibes from that intro.

[@Coleslawbreakfast]

Looks identical to my 11 and I ordered the timing belt kit today off your Amazon store.

[@santouchesantouche2873]

Great job! Very accomplished mechanic. I made sure to use OEM belt and pulleys. However I put an aftermarket (standard) radiator and tridon high flow thermostat. And tbh, the oem thermostat was the same size as the tridon... Any thoughts on this product?

[@andrewmantle7627]

Nice work Mr. Subaru.

[@courtneyblackwell9211]

great tips; listen to him peeps. thanks for the new timing belt tensioner prep before install.

[@Khg72]

excellent tutorial thks mrSubaru

[@javierr3515]

Great video again!!! Those head light need some polishing!

[@717273mopar]

Hey, what water pump timing belt kit would you recommend for a 2012 Subaru Impreza limited edition,2.0 with the water pump that has the down facing thermostat? Thanks. Great videos as always.

[@kidwelldavid6136]

Great video. Thanks

[@paultice610]

Thanks for the tip I need to do this to my 2009 Subaru Forrester it has 163,000 miles on it and I don’t think it has ever ben done be for I am the third owner

[@jeromegaces6184]

Hey man do you have a video on how to maintain the cooling system and when do you need a coolant flush and remove the calcium deposits?

[@petergarofolo9385]

Excellent video 👍 👍

[@Coptergirljs]

Excellent video. I'm happy; I'm going to get my Subie fixed with new head gaskets and see it I can get 300,000 on Subie.

[@triarii_00]

hey could you make a video covering running gdi cleaner through the new 2.4 turbo engine?

[@melissavines4153]

Such precision

[@ttamn92]

Over the years I had got bit twice by oil pumps ..(note on the turbo engines only) so when Im doing a major maintenance i always replace the oil pump and water pump with OEM pumps also tensioner also OEM then the belt and idlers ect like u had same manufacturer as oem uses ... and us the rest of the maintenance items coolant flush brake fluid flush diffs trans plugs filters ect Have u had any issues like that??

[@mackshaw4859]

About to put my timing back together tomorrow on my EJ25... I don't have a crank holder tool, is it necessary to have one to torque the harmonic balancer back in place? Or can I just put the engine in neutral and put it in place after the belt is in time?

[@dpm3758]

Nice video! Thanks for the tip. When's the video on replacing the headlight? (just kidding!)

[@thesetruths1404]

Hello. Great video. I had a mechanic replace timing kit on 1995 Impreza ej18, 165,000 miles. Then, 6 months, 2,000 miles later, i have 76psi compression in cylinders 2 and 4 (drivers side head). It starts fine and will drive but is a slug. No overheating or oil/coolant leaking. Good spark plugs/coil. Just half the compression it should have on that one head. Could bad timing cause both of those cylinders (2/4) not to have compression? How could I do a cursory check on the timing marks, in my driveway? Thanks!

[@YoureNowOnTV]

Thanks for making this video. The hardest part is missing though, with how to get the new belt on and the sequence in doing so. I’ve tried so many different ways, with the tensioner last, or the lower left roller last and the belt is too tight to get on. If I try and get any of the bolts in on the last one I’m going to risk cross threading. All new parts match the original parts, and the tensioner is bled. I’m at the stage of getting my car towed to a shop or having a mobile mechanic come out and help get me over this hurdle. I’ve done CV boots before and other items on my EJ20E but this replacement timing belt is a killer!

[@dubyaelle5533]

were you able to solve this on your own? just curious

[@YoureNowOnTV]

@@dubyaelle5533 Yes thankfully. I spoke to a couple of mechanics and they said the replacement tension can vary on some kits but the last roller at the 7 o'clock position was the last one to tighten. It took a lot of swearing and huffing and puffing but it worked. Apparently the AISIN timing belt kits are better to install than the Gates kit I bought with better part quality. I don't think I'll ever need to do this again but if I do I'll be buying the AISIN parts (Made in Japan as far as I know)

[@snapmantools]

I did several thermostats on hard to bleed cars by putting an aspirin in the thermostat flap so the car circulates the water from the beginning ,fills with no trapped air--as it runs the aspirin melts and the thermostat work as normal--what do you think-good idea? some bmw are almost impossible to bleed with out special tools.

[@donschneider3687]

Hey Subaru Guy - I have a 2011 5 speed Forester with chain drive motor. It has lost compression, so I am assuming this is one of the famous ring issue cars. What would you recommend to justify the $ i put into the clutch, PP and TOB a few months before it stopped running? Engine swap, rebuild, something else? Thanks

[@J27M]

Hey Mr Subaru I have an ej254 which is DOHC and avcs. I'm doing my timing belt according to your instruction, cheers! I just want to know if it is safe to manually, by hand, rotate an exhaust cam back into timing alignment? My passengers side exhaust cam - RHD mind you - shifted out of alignment when I was removing the water pump. I turned it counter clockwise back into alignment, but could you please confirm if this is okay?

[@rustyshackleford8637]

Is there any way you could tell me what Tokyo Roki filter numbers I need for my 07 spec b and my 2018 Forester XT? Our parts catalog doesn’t tell me squat diddly.

[@ernieruddell3222]

If after my timing belt broke I can turn the crankshaft with little to no resistance is the Ej251 motor ruined. Thank you for a reply

[@lightswitch342]

I have a 2011 legacy LTD and going through your amazon store, not sure which timing belt kit option that I need.

[@sunlightnsk]

Great video! Thank you. Considering to do this procedure later this spring. Are torque specs listed in the manual that comes with Aisin parts package? If not, could you please share the torque specs to follow when replacing such timing belt kit? Thank you in advance.

[@MrSubaru1387]

Pretty sure specs are included. I have several step-by-step instructional timing belt videos on here with the torque specs as well.

[@avidskier73]

Great video, thank you. I would take some 3000 wet sandpaper to those headlamps.

[@xllitee]

hey i would like to know a little more about old imprezas. been liiking at buying a new used car and i want to try out subaru. looking mainly at impreza but it seems like the only ones i can find in my pricerange are little 1.5l petrol engine and 2l diesels. have heard to not buy diesel at least before 2010 cuz the crank brakes in half or bends. would this mean that a diesel 2011 is good? found a few 2011 diesels so thats why im asking. hope someone has some good info for me :)

[@camAPPP]

Mr subaru is the scotty kilmer of subarus

[@volks-jager]

Mr.Subaru knows what he is doing and makes good videos. Scotty Kilmer is an obnoxious idiot that makes click bait videos. i wouldnt let Kilmer work on a wheelbarrow

[@bullseyepete8367]

Kilmer is not a technician

[@MrSubaru1387]

💯

[@michaelweatherhead9470]

Thanks so much.

[@laszynandriy]

Do you have to use rtv for thermostat gasket???

[@bullnukeoldman3794]

Vacuum fill of the cooling system, eh? I did the same thing for the primary coolant system on very large nuclear reactor plants during my career. I did need the help of some mongo-sized vacuum pumps though... LOL!

[@alejandrotobienne4288]

Ace has smaller s which I got just for this job. But the bigger ones have more leverage. But every 15 secs turn half way from where you started. Do this 3 times not one. Should take about 1 min or more each time. Be very careful when installing the last pulley the one next to oil filter. Add anti-seize on last pulley so the side ways threading doesn’t strip threads on block. Especially if you plan on doing timing belt at least one more time or for friends.

[@joshuaallen2076]

Got a 2008 Subaru Impreza, The timing belt tensioner pulley bolt spins. When I remove the tensioner and just use the bolt it will catch and thread but it will not thread with the pulley. Any ideas?

[@eoghanfla6343]

How did you know I’ve to do this to my EJ20X, 92k miles, ain’t driving it another inch till it’s done. I must re watch your head gasket video again, can you remind me is the head gasket job a pig to do or is it not to bad?

[@adrianw3985]

I have two of those exact C clamps 😄

[@Pulse0153]

Question, 🙋. Could you provide us with a Repair manual book/PDF link that you would recommend. I have been looking for one and they all looks a bit sketchy online. I am personally looking for the repair manual for a 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness with the FB25D engine. Thanks for all your help and awesome videos, I always enjoy watching your videos on my spare time.

[@MrSubaru1387]

Jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru

[@laszynandriy]

What about the transmission lines going to the radiator?

[@D18.21]

How often (mileage or time) have you heard one should consider replacing CVT fluid in modern day Subaru's (2018 and newer)? Thank you and love the channel.

[@MrSubaru1387]

3yr/36k miles.

[@D18.21]

@@MrSubaru1387 Thank you very much!

[@dougsmugify]

I've installed my new water pump and I didn't check the position of the thermostat. Is that a big deal?

[@Jordan__Sloan]

Mr Subaru, you don’t flush with distilled water? I thought it said that in my Manuel.

[@zethleehutsell]

what do you do if the timing marks do not match on the camshafts

[@Spacegoat92]

Hey mate! Thanks for the video! I have a question regarding timing belt life. Do they have a shelf life if they are in the box unopened? My local parts guy has a genuine one but it looks like it's about a decade old.

[@JeremyHarrisMusic138]

Y the y%%fr f4

[@YoureNowOnTV]

It’s a critical engine part, I wouldn’t risk parts that you are concerned about before you even buy them. Ask your parts supplier how old it is, check the branding or buy elsewhere. Too many other options these days with internet sources to be stuck with old parts.

[@vincentdow5899]

I had my water pump and timing belt (1998 Legacy 2.5 automatic) done by a garage here in Montreal three weeks ago (had to bite the bullet and pay, I'm in a big city, no place to work on car, winter, wife and small child also need car etc) Engine seems louder now (in the high -pitched range - more subaru sounding) Idle is rough, never was before. Fuel consumption seems even worse than before. It's eating gas. Just wondered if anyone could say AHA! that's related to timing belt. (could it be one tooth off? ) Is there any latitude for that or does the timing ONLY work one way?

[@jonk6137]

Gotta get mine back on road

[@fredastaire6156]

Can I get a link to that air lift system?

[@jamesankney7535]

How long did the job take u to do?

[@OhNoProjectZero]

Does the timing belt tensioner have to be replaced every time the timing belt is removed for a repair? I need to pull my belt off on my ‘07 Impreza 2.5L to replace the solenoid oil control valve housing and want to confirm.

[@MrSubaru1387]

No. It doesn't.

[@toddb930]

I was thinking the marks on the belt should line up with the marks on the cam pulley after rotating the crankshaft two rotations?

[@Cozmo85]

Nope

[@MrSubaru1387]

Nope. Only the initial install.

[@SynchroFPS]

9:55 what if you don't have any air? Get a small compressor?

[@JDMlegacySpecB]

Hello from Scotland! Been a subscriber for a while and love the content! I was wondering if you (or anyone else) can help with a query I have. I’ve just taken delivery of a 2007 4EAT WRX import from Singapore (JDM spec). I pulled the dipstick to check the ATF fluid and it was golden in colour and stinks of gear oil (the same smell of the 75w90 stuff I stuck in my manual gearbox!!! Should I panic? It seems to go into gear quickly and shift fine. Do ANY Subarus use a clear gear oil or are they all Red coloured dexron 3 etc and so forth!? If my fears are confirmed and someone has used manual transmission gear oil, can I drain and fill with atf? Is there any kind of flush I can do? Hope this reaches you! All the best

[@JDMlegacySpecB]

Update: I am an idiot. I’m so used to manual Subarus with the front diff built in to the gearbox I got confused. I’ve been pulling the front diff dipstick and checking that oil so gear oil sounds about right! Have since located the ATF Dipstick hiding down to the other side of the i/c

[@chrislewis9345]

Does a 2003 outback ll bean only come with the 3.0 or was it offered with the 2.5?

[@MrSubaru1387]

3.0L

[@samlogan8096]

Question: Regardless of age, what was the lowest milage anyone has experienced an original Subaru timing belt breaking? I'm at 71K miles but my 2010 Forester is 13 years old now. I understand the Subaru manual say replace it at 105 miles or 11 years. I live in a moderate climate (Northern Virginia) and it never gets really hot (over 100 F) or cold (under 10 F). I haven't changed it yet and the Subaru dealer has not even suggested changing it. I'm thinking I could hold off a year or so and change it at 85K miles.

[@TheCharacter97]

Remove the small "inspection" cover on the right side when facing the engine. If your belt seems still in good shape, you could hold off for a while..

[@wasa789]

If anyone looking a easier way to install gaskets..For the gaskets I use Loctite gasket holder (part # 39158) makes installation easier

[@matthewspearman1617]

OEM timing tensioners fail also I just did timing belt on my 2011 Outback and within a thousand miles the tensioner was rattling did everything by procedure including bleeding it and it still failed. Second tensioner did the same thing. By the third time I got a good one. Aisin thermostats are identical to oem.

[@Whosgoingon]

I know this is irrelevant but would it be worth it to get a after market catalyst converter ?

[@Whosgoingon]

For a 2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i not turbo

[@Slo_300c]

I’m doing the timing on my 2003 Subaru baja I stripped the threads on my bottom right teethed pulley any tips on how to make it right ?

[@bramshobbyshop757]

Thread repair kit. It'll be an M10x1.25

[@Slo_300c]

@@bramshobbyshop757 alright cool I appreciate the response! it stripped becuase the belt was to tight going the pin is still in the tensioner any idea why I’m having so much trouble getting the pulley in with the belt on besides the tensioner ?

[@volks-jager]

the cogged pulley bolts into the water pump, which you should be changing anyway. if you where not, well do it now and your stripped thread issue will be solved. use an Aisin or NPW Japan made pump only!!! leave the flanged pulley off until you have the belt on everything else. put that on last and dont overtorque any of the pulley bolts

[@MrSubaru1387]

I have a video on installing Time-Sert inserts - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIHZamWYp9-rqpI

[@fishconsinlange8901]

What is that coolant contraption and where can I get one!

[@MrSubaru1387]

It's an Airlift can get it here - amzn.to/3w1V0Qs

[@nieterscody9089]

Wish I knew the dowel gasket aligning idea years ago I feel stupid .soo many times I had problems

[@jimcrane6862]

Don't forget to install the rubber strip that goes on the side of the water pump. I haven't seen it on any of the videos, and I neglected to install it on our 2012 Outback. Hopefully it will be ok without it, i didn't want to redo the whole job to put it in. Also, I didnt know about bleeding the tensioner, it may have been in the instructions for my kit, not sure.

[@MrSubaru1387]

It's an air/dust seal for the timing set. Not mission critical, but good to install nonetheless.

[@DFPFTW]

212k 2001 forester ejNA now starting to lose coolant into overflow. Wish me luck boys ! How much longer do I have ? End of year ? Yes it’s my daily 30 miles total daily

[@MrSubaru1387]

ASAP head gasket replacement.

[@DFPFTW]

@@MrSubaru1387 uh oh what if my plan was to drive it into the ground and buy new? Thanks 🙏

[@ebodabe6471]

@@DFPFTW I don't recommend it but my EJ251 has been burning coolant for 12k miles and doesn't seem to want to die

[@DFPFTW]

@@ebodabe6471 dude I stopped the coolant issue with the blue conditioner for coolant via Subaru. More than one bottle finally blocked it up not more excess in my overflow tank. I should be good to go for a while

[@ebodabe6471]

@@DFPFTW Hell yeah, I may have to try that

[@angelacevedo1093]

Wish i would have watch this before. Did timin belt not OEM componets and did not bleed the tentioner one lasted 5 days and started bouncing and the other one just one day and its bouncing again 🤦

[@levihillsman7843]

Who makes the t stats for subaru oem? Are they stamped?

[@MrSubaru1387]

They're stamped with Fuji Heavy Industry's logo.

[@levihillsman7843]

@@MrSubaru1387 i ordered an oem replacement that came in a white box with a printed label. The box was not spot glued and the bagged t stst looks exactly like oem but it is stamped NTN. Is that decent to use or should i go straight to the dealer.

[@2003wrx64]

Tama makes the factory thermostat.

[@nieterscody9089]

No way vacuum filling.another frustration of mine you've solved

[@eggpod4567]

May I ask. What could I have done wrong? I did this job. Everything was running great. Out of nowhere two days later. The engine died on me and the belt was all ground up upon inspecting it. How could I have killed it? Everything was lined up. Took the air out of the tensioner, etc. Id love to hear some professional criticism.

[@boginator55]

Need a little more info to make any useful guesses, were any of the idler pulleys/tensioner bearings loose/shredded? What brand timing components did you use? If the car started and ran after you finished the repair, then you had to have lined up everything properly. Is it possible you forgot to torque an idler bolt down all the way, causing it to back off and send the pulley free?

[@eggpod4567]

@@boginator55Well to further support what you said. On some of the pulleys, the bolts screwed in all the way. But, they wouldn't tighten all the way. They just kept spinning. (Probably need to be rethreaded). It seemed tight enough though, so I put everything back together anyway. After I pulled the case back off and pulled the belt off. The pulleys were still in place. But, maybe there wasn't enough torque on them to keep them still while the belt was moving. Causing it to slowly back off. Does that seem like it would cause it to fail? Me skipping the rethread part was probably a super expensive fail on my part. I just wanna make sure that might be what happened, so I learn from my lesson. Because right now. I'm scared of doing engine work again. It was my first time doing this job.

[@boginator55]

​@@eggpod4567 If the pulleys are still installed and don't have any play in them, then mystery is a little deeper (although fixing stripped threads would still be a must-do). What brand of timing belt kit did you use? If you had stripped threads, the bolts would definitely be a risk for backing out. I myself had a similar experience when I did my head gaskets. I had the engine all back together, and stripped the bolt out for one of the bottom idlers. Sadly I had already dropped the engine back in the car, but even in the engine bay I had room to drill out the offending threads, run a tap in, and install a helicoil. Take the bolt to a parts store, figure out what size thread it is, and get a thread repair kit exactly for that size. It's not as hard as you think to install, just follow the directions carefully. Save yourself the future stripped-bolt headache as well, and get a torque wrench. Of course, if the car stopped running when the belt shredded, its likely the valves are now bent, and you'll be in it at least for rebuilt heads if you want the engine to run again. It's not as daunting a job as it sounds but attention to detail is paramount.

[@mmark8394]

You've stripped the 10mm bolt on the waterproof, it's soft alloy, drill it out and put the bolt in from inside and tighten, helicoil are a waste of time

[@TheCyleRitchie]

I just changed the belt & waterpump in my 01 Outback. I'm pretty sure whoever did it last only changed the belt & nothing else. The pulleys were in bad shape, the water pump was leaking & the Gates belt was on backwards.

[@tbas8741]

How does that car not have the Log book Still showing when the Timing belt was last done, ?? It like 10 years newer than mine which does Lol i have a Very Nice MY99 IMPREZA WRX GF8 Wagon (In Australia) With 230,000KM or 143,000 Miles on it But It Still has the logbook in glove box and first 15 years of its life it only saw the Subaru dealership it came from for All Service & Repairs!! (And Everything i have done to car since ownining it is also written in there) Its My Pride & Joy That i will own for another 15-20 Years Currently Insured for $17,500AUD or about $15,000USD 22 Years Old & With 230,000km and its had 46 Oil Changes (Thats New Oil Every 5,000 km or 3,100 miles) But only had 4 clutches, Tho i Fitted a Custom Built 5 Speed with Custom Shaft that has wider STi Gears 1-2-3-R with slightly lower/faster ratios (from the Sti 5 speed) The Engine is in Immaculent Condition will probably last me till 300,000km or 186,000miles Before i need a new Engine i hope longer. At 200,000km it had a new timing belt and the compression was 155-155-154-156psi (new is 165psi), It Still has the Factory Turbo which has to quote "No Measurable Play" @ 200,000km.

[@mellyzaurora1277]

How about changing his headlights aswell....🤷🤷🤷

[@MarktheRude]

I thought Aisin produced the Subaru OEM water pumps too.

[@MrSubaru1387]

No they do for Toyota and Honda, but Subaru used Fuji Heavy Industry's prior, and late on the EJs Yamada pumps.

[@MarktheRude]

@@MrSubaru1387 Ah, so they used to produce those pumps inhouse then. One learns something new every day.

[@fer-tc1ui]

So are we good to use the apparently problematic Chinese timing belt tensioners now

[@ma_auto]

While the recent NTN tensioners seem to use the same cast as the cheap ones for the tensioner body, the bearing and hydraulic guts are still NTN. I was confused too when I cracked open my Aisin kit and saw it lol, that was almost 4k miles ago and it's running like a top

[@1967dkb]

What i cant understand is u say timeing belts should be done every 100 thousand mile but here in Australia they say it should be done every 100 thousand km whats a round 160 thousand miles thats a lot of differnts

[@1967dkb]

I messed up 100 thousand miles is = to around 160 thousand km

[@YoureNowOnTV]

75000 kilometres to 100,000 is what most mechanics recommend that I’ve spoken to here in Tassie.

[@turbosloth8575]

That looks like my engine. Says ej204 on the stamp

[@HUSKY7-1]

So Colin McCrae's mechanics must have removed his belt tensioner and bled it everytime he rolled his Impreza