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New Timing Belt Reduced MPG ? 2.2 L 95 Legacy

My friend had the timing belt replaced recently in his 95 Outback Legacy with 2.2 Liter 5 speed. He noticed a slight decrease in power at the low end of the RPM's, but no loss at he upper end of the RPM band. Is there a way to check / adjust / set the timing? Could the timing have been retarded when the new belt went in? His MPG is way down too. He says he thinks he is only getting 10 mpg sometimes. It runs OK, idles OK, just has power loss and poor mpg since the new belt went in.

Thanks

Reply to
user132384
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(Not a Subie expert by any means, but generally... ) Both valve and ignition timing are something to be checked. Ignition timing affects the low end more, while valve timing affects the top end more. But since the distributor probably wasn't touched and that is normally driven off the cam, I suspect the belt is off by one tooth. The ignition timing is easy to check, and if it is retarded (I bet it is, given the symptoms) the valve timing is probably going to be off also. When the timing belt is set right the ignition timing should be right back the way it has been.

Mike

Reply to
Michael Pardee

Thanks. How can I check the timing for him? I have an inductive timing light? What do I have to disconnect, if anything? Is there the usual grid of timing marks near the waterpump ?

Thanks

Reply to
user132384

There you get beyond my experience, because so many cars are different now. Maybe an experienced Subaru guy can help you with that, or you will need to resort to a repair manual.

Mike

Reply to
Michael Pardee

You need to check the Valve timing marks... not the ignition marks. Who put on the belt? If it was not Subaru... the timing marks off one tooth will give you low compression and hence lousy gas mileage. You could check compression. That's a dead giveaway. You should get some 120 - 140 Lbs pressure.

Reply to
M. Butkus

I had the same problem when I purchased my 91. When I changed the timing belt, it turned out that the belt was installed improperly and my cam shafts were retarded by one cogg. Setting the belt right solved all my low-end power problems. Until then the car felt like it had turbo-lag, but it had no turbo. It is a pain to move the timing belt over by one cogg, but it is worth the time.

Reply to
mczarnecki

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