How to Change a Subaru Timing Belt 

as a former Subaru tech you did forget to show after the belt was installed to show pulling the pin from the tensioner and rotating the engine two revolutions. this not only sets the tensioner to the proper tension on the belt but you also verify that your timing is dead on! I've had a few that one can was off a tooth! other than that great video!

FYI, you can leave the fans attached to the radiator, and pull the whole thing as an assembly. Might save some time, and less risk of snapping bolts, plastic, etc.

Best and most clear and through video I've seen so far. Makes my comfortable going out and doing this operation for the first time right now. Thank you friend.

Best Subie timing belt video I've seen yet!!! Thanks man!!!!

Very good tutorial. LOL about the hand washing part. But that was a great vid. It's also nice to hear someone who speaks clearly. Thumbs up!

Really great video, thanks a lot. I just finished, did the plugs at the same time using the lifted-engine strategy, and all went well. My experience with the cams slipping out of position might help someone... in a nutshell, I’d say don’t worry too much about it. The passenger side cams are loose and can be turned by hand. The drivers side are under tension, and despite trying the bolt trick and using a clamp, they did go out of position by about 1/2 a tooth. There is a large cap bolt on the lower cam wheel that can be used to nudge those two back into position. With all that it’s pretty easy to align the marks on the belt with the marks on the cam wheels.

very well done. the narration was superb and who ever did the work has definitely held a wrench more than once.

This video get a 7 out of 10. No torque specs mentioned for timingbolts pulleys & crank bolt. No pin removed from timing tensioner and double check the rotation first before removing this pin. But overall good speech and video recording. Keep it up!

Very helpful. I did it myself after watching this video. Thanks

Thank you so much for showing us how to do this, especially the tips you provided.Good on you.

Excellent video, you've inspired me to do my own timing belt on my Subaru. Just a couple nit-picks to help. What you call "hex bolts" ( 9:50 ) are actually "socket head cap screws." Yes, it's confusing that an Allen hex key is used with a socket head screw and that a socket wrench is used with a hex bolt. Also, you call bolts by the size of their hex head rather than by the major diameter of the threads. For example, a bolt with a 10mm hex head often has 6mm diameter threads. This bolt will be referred to as M6-1(pitch) x 25 (length of bolt in mm) Just a couple tips to help set you apart from the rest. Keep up the good work!

Nice video. I would only ad to turn the engine over by hand a couple times before installing the cover to make sure everything is lined up.

Nice video...especially the bolts keeping the cams from moving.....I was also told by my Subie Tech that the thermostat goes in a certain way with some part of it at the top??..

Why does everyone always forget to mention the Outback XT😂

incredible video. thanks, great camera work, everything was super clear. few things i would add 1 -> using the bolts to lock the cams resulted in me losing a bolt behind one of the bottom sprockets. i had to fish it out. 2 -> i didnt anticipate how much force the drivers side sprocket would want to move with, i anticipated it to be very light. I used the vice grips VERY lightly just to hold it in place but this resulted in it moving. I would recommend adding a contingency for how to realign if it does move. I used an allen key socket to rotate them back into place. 3 -> is it possible and easier to transfer the rubber coolant inlet hose to the new pump BEFORE installing the new pump? Again, incredible video, thanks for your hard work documenting the process, i probably wouldnt've attempted it otherwise

Probably the best video on this! thanks a lot!

I'm going to replace the belt on an 04 your video was very helpful and I'll do what the tech said amd rotate it through 2 revs thanks.

9.75 Foot-Pound (ft∙lb) =117 in/lbs

When removing the drive belts, you should loosen both sides of the alternator, that way you are not whacking the tension bolt with a hammer

Actually my 04 2.0 liter GDB Impreza WRX sti looks exactly the same as yours does when you take off the cam covers. Pump looks the same too with the 3 pipes sticking out of it. Cam wheels look the same. So basically you can add 2000-2005 2.0 liter to being the same. I wouldn't use your method of keeping the driver side cams from moving tho, because the washers make a mark on the wheels. Maybe could try your method with plastic or rubberized washers, that could work perfectly. Other than that its a good video (quality too) to describe the timing belt replacement.

Great video!! Thank you!!! That was a nice timing belt kit- came with all the pulleys and new tensioner! Who sells that kit? Looks like the one to get.. Getting the water pump and thermostat while you're in there seems very wise too. And you replaced your alternator- that's quite a service! That B-Spec got some good love!!!

wow! I'm at my major service interval and need to do this. seems like such a huge job which I don't think I'm confident in doing. fantastic in depth video though!

Had the same problem removing that clamp on the lower radiator hose on my '08 outback. Total nightmare, just replaced it with the easier ones that you tighten on

Good video I've got to replace a timing belt on subaru legacy and your video was very informative thanks.

The EJ255 engine is in my 06 impreza wrx sedan

Thanks mate, very clear and easy to follow

This was very informative, thank you. I have only done timing belt on a Dodge Neon before and to be honest Subaru looks easier which is good because my Liberty b4 is due for one. This video will definitely be my reference.

Only question did you pull the pin lol was waiting for that

I learn a trick that you can just unscrew the fan instead of taking out the radiator out. Not sure it will work on EJ25 DOHC but I works on EJ22 SOHC and it gave enough space for me to change the belt

Looks easy enough. Problem is finding a place around the condo where I can do this.

interesting video enriching - tests and opinions

Extremely detailed video. Thank you for that one.

Saw the whole thing. Felt intimidated after 40 Seconds.

.. doesn't show you pulling the tensioner pin.. i swear it looks like you put the covers back on with it still in..

This guy must have blown the engine straight on first start as he forgot to pull the tensioner pin and rechecking the the engine turning freely.

Excellent video! Thank you!

Great info!! I'm about to diy mine also on my 2004 wrx.

Excellent video, very helpful

Awesome video very informative , I'm about to do this to my 05 LGT ... I'll be using this as a reference. Keep up the great content

Thanks for putting together such a great tutorial!

Best tutorial i've seen

20:45 u put that red spacer between the crank and the timing belt .. do you NEED to do this ? And does it come with the kit? I ordered OEM kit from eBay and don’t think it comes with it . Oh and should I buy the timing belt guide ? Great video btw hope You will answer

Like your use of a bolt and nut to lock cams but..questions..how do you tighten the bolt, doesn't look like there is room to get a wrench in there to snug up or is there room. Also, doesn't the bolt interfer with removing the timing belt? THX

Great tutorial, I just transcribed it, to follow outside! Which kit from Rockauto is this?

My timing belt cover got a hole in it, I was just wondering if removing that pulley and cover, will it mess with the timing chains at all? I don’t want to have to mess with the timing chains if I don’t have to. Please get back to me! I appreciate it

What size is the bolt you fit between the cam puulleys

works better than masters👍

great job thanks

nice video man,feel more confident in doing the job now 👍

Can you bend a valve by having it out of time and rotating cams with a ratchet 360 degrees?

Nice! Will be doing mine soon!

Awesome job. Congrats!!

love your video!!!!! can you make a video on how to change a timing belt for a 02 subaru wrx?? please!!!! Eneryblue

Hi mate, great video. Just a question, at 21:44 you said to hand tighten the lower idler, and even the last idler. I assume you would have had to torque them properly? If so, what was the torque spec? Thanks.

hi great video! very clear and understandable. where did you buy the timing belt kit from was it from Subaru or somewhere else online? thanks

Great video. Is replacement for Forester 2.0XT 2003 year going to be similar?

Great video. Thanks. But what's the torque for the crank shaft pulley bolt? Is good and tight OK?

nice! Any idea what the torque values are for the idlers, crank bolt and the tensioner mount bolt?

Great video sir!!!!! Well done.

Pretty sure the service manual states to use permatex gasket sealant on the metal water pump gasket.

I’m doing the same job but my driver side camshafts don’t line up and their off by 180o. I try to aline the driver side top and bottom camshafts but I feel resistance. How can I remedy or fix this situation thanks

did I see non-impact sockets on an impact wrench?

Hi, there. Thanks for posting this video. I just replaced timing belt in 2008 Subaru Legacy and engine won't turn. Any suggestios.Thanks.

what if the top cams had shifted how to set them because of that play from left right

Was this the gates kit?? Im way over due for the tbelt. Ill being using your video when i do it.

Great video !

Is there a difference in taking off the radiator cap and the coolant reservoir cap?

what if u have an auto trans?

great tutorial. where'd you get you timing belt kit??

What size are th3 bolts holding the timing belt cover

on a 1997 subaru outback do you need the timing covers?

Great video

Excellent

Will this video apply to the ej257 2011 STi engine too? I'm looking to do my own.

Does anyone happen to know the part number for the intake cover plastic screws?

how can you see if your timing belt is loose

Looking at the rockauto site, can you post the kit that you ordered the number?

Is this procedure suitable for the 2010 Impreza wlth ej20 DOHC

help I didnt lock the right side and its freaked hard to hold them in place

how did you get that crank pulley bolt off at the end?

Hopefully I can get a reply by tomorrow (Friday) but I'm doing my timing belt and my cams are perfectly in time but the crankshaft is off by one tooth. I bought the car a year ago and It's been running fine no sign of power loss. What should I do, should I roll crankshaft over twice with the timing belt off and line it up or should I leave it the way it is because of it running fine with no problems?

snapped my L-U cam loose trying to get the last mark lined up. What's under that cover that looks like it is held on with 3 screws? If I take that off, is there a bolt or TORX socket I can put a tool on to rotate that cam back? Or, is a bunch of springs, oil or ball bearings gonna jump outta there?

how do you know how when to stop tightening the bolt on the tensioner when i put the front serpentine belt back onThe video portion at 6:28-7:00. Hey people here is the subaru cam holder I found it on amazon www.amazon.com/Subaru-Camlock-turbo-engines-C23-506/dp/B009ZDUF7G

GaG, i forgot to lock cams together and moved them and i try aligning them but they keep spinning a quarter more of a turn any i can do i got the rights side DOHC aligned but the left keeps spinning when I've almost aligned the the top cam then the bottom Thanks

Why not just slide the radiator out with the fans attached? why waste time.

on second view, I can see that the belt can be lifted but still don't see how to tighten......

Whats the torc on the cams?

Hi, today we were removing timing belt on subaru forester xt 2006 and the upper cam rotated about 180 degrees. Is it very bad, or we will just need to put in its place before installing timing belt?

wow, dont feel bad paying the dealership for this now.

What if I have automatic transmission?

Bros wht do i do as my cams are out of whack

Nice video, thanks for sharing!!! ;)

how come you only locked up the right side cams?

Lmao I've got a 08 WRX same exact engine and I was thinking it's time for a timing belt change, but this looks too complex and it doesn't really have tons of miles on it either. Don't feel like messing with something that is perfectly fine. it's 7 years old with 61,000 miles. Do you think it's time to change the belt? I know Subaru calls for the change at 105,000 miles, but is there a time frame attached to the belt? I did the math and it comes to 14 years, based off of oil changes at 3,750 miles/6 months and the belt service at 105,000 miles/168 months. Does that seem about right?

How much time from start to finish?

What model impact is that? Seems to make short work of it?

so the job kinda sucks haha. Damn. I'm too old to be doing this stuff anymore haha. How much does it cost for Suburu to do it on a 2012 WRX? I am only at 44k miles but I plan on doing this at like 90 or what ever the interval is. (From my 17 years of car knowledge)

Where did you order the complete timing belt kit

Torque specs for the pullies and crank bolt would be nice, but overall an average video.

u didn't pull the pin?