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Timing belt, 1989 Subaru 1.8L Again! WTF am I DOING?!?!?

OK, went to remove the covers today. Got the right hand belt cover off OK, of course the bolt hidden up under the radiator hose on the left cover gave me a hard time. That is the belt that's broken.

As an aside, I was going to *PAY* someone to do this back in January, since I didn't want to 'coast to a stop' as a used Subaru seller told me I would. The guy that was going to do it said, "The belts look new."

Remind me never to go to him again. He's supposed to be one of the better Subaru guys in the area, and he can't recognize an old belt?! It was only

1,500 miles ago, and the belt I could see (the one that's not broken) does NOT look 'new'!! I should have pulled the cover and looked myself.

So, looking over the instructions again, it says to pull the water pump pulley and then pull the crankshaft pulley. I don't think this is going to go well...it's really rusty.

Also, I gave a look to the camshaft sprockets, and I can't see the tiiming mark. I'll look again; maybe when I line the flywheel up I'll be able to see it.

This is the interesting part I have seen in all the instructions I have read:

Removal: Yada yada Yada...

Step 14: Remove the camshaft sprockets using tool 49920700 or equivalent.

This is the end of the Removal instructions. Next Step...

To Install:

Step 15: Install the camshaft sprockets using tool 49920700 or equivalent camshaft sprocket wrench to hold the camshaft in place...

Huh? Step 14 is to remove the camshaft sprockets, only to reinstall them in the very next step? I'm sitting here scratching my head going, WHY?!?!?

The next step says to install the tensioners. IIRC, you never removed them in the first place! (Turn the tensioner mounting bolt 1/2 turn and rotate the tensioner out of the way...)

THEN it says, Install the timing belt. THEN IT SAYS, install the camshaft sprockets.

Um, didn't we do that in Step 15????

I'm guessing we don't need to remove the camshaft sprockets?

The only thing is I would like to replace the tensioners, but they're too much money to put into this car. I paid $400 for it over a year ago, and it's getting rusty. Tensioners are $65 each...

Your ideas and comments are appreciated!

(um, also, for all that I have done for work on cars, I have never replaced a timing belt before, let alone TWO! Have some patience, please!!)

Reply to
Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B
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On Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:09:09 -0400, against all advice, something compelled Hachiroku ???? , to say:

Is the 1.8 an interference engine? Because if it is, at least one of your valves and one of your pistons is seriously in need of replacement. This work can turn spendy, fast.

How much money do you want to put into a twenty year old car?

Reply to
Steve Daniels

No, like I said, the guy at the Subaru place told me I'd just coast to a stop. He knows Subys inside out. When it first quit I wasn't sure what went wrong, so I tried starting it. Ever tried starting an Interference engine with a broken belt after Mr. Valve got a little too intimate with Ms. Piston?

I have a bunch of Toyotas too, all NI engines, and recognized the symptoms on the second turn of the key. All too familiar...

The sad part is, in the past with my Toyotas it was by trying to squeeze an extra 1-2,000 miles out of it...this time it was because someone 'familiar' with Subarus told me the belts were fine! (they weren't...)

Oh, and about $40. Two belts for $20 each. And an afternoon in tha back yard. It's going to be in the 60's for the next couple days, thank God...

Any more than that and I'll be kicking myself for not selling it when junk cars were up to $200...but it's a decent car. A little rusty, but not like most Subarus of it's vintage; nowhere near. All in all it's in good shape, and AWD to boot.

Reply to
Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B

The reason they are telling you to remove them then reinstall is that usually you would check them for wear and probably replace them. You also would replace any leaking seals.

What model is this? I show tensioners for 18 bucks or so each.

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entire timing kit is 145.

Reply to
Steve W.

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1989 GL hacthback? "Runabout"? It's a 2 door coupe that looks like a Loyale. 1.8L engine.

Hmmm....it's not worth $145! Well, just barely.

Got the old belts off, got the new belts on, but belt #2 (driver's side) is off by one tooth.

Have a gig tonight, will try again tomorrow...

BTW, I found all the things people told me to look for...not a real hard job, prolly better removing the radiator (like a million razor blades!) But otherwise, OK.

Things weren't *TOO* rusty!

Reply to
Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B

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