will i need new heads?

[outback steve]

i have a 2005 Forester X. was going about 70 on the interstate when it just died. so far i've gotten into the timing belt cover on the drivers side and found the belt is still intact but with alot of slack. i'm thinking that the tensioner has called it quits. i've heard that the piston head and the valves  can bang together  and destroy the valves.....hoping i heard wrong!!! any ideas?

 

[rxleone]

Yep, unfortunately that does sound like a damaged idler or something. And in that late a model, yes, if the belt lets go is is pretty much guaranteed engine damage.. sorry buddy

[987687]

There's a good chance you can get away with just new valves, no way to know till you take it appart.

[mikaleda]

You have an interference engine, wich means the valves can hit the piston IF they go far enough out of time. I would replace the tensioner and do a compression check before you get too excited and you can just replace the valves, but it would be easier to get a set of heads from the junkyard

[outback steve]

guess it's time to start checking the junk yards. luckily there are alot of them around here. maybe i'll get lucky and get a good price on the heads. thanks for the info guys.....

[Fairtax4me]

Get a timing belt kit and re-time it first. Might have got lucky, though that depends how far off the timing really is.

How much slack? Timing belts aren't supposed to be exactly tight.

[idosubaru]

they are interference, the only damage they incur is bent valves.

 

but Fairtax is right - sometimes you get lucky and dont' have bent valves, best to slap the belt back on and check or do a leak down test.

 

if you find out they are bent then you have these options:

1.  replace the bent valves - it's actually really easy, the only hard part is getting the valve springs off/on, it's a real bear and no good tools available for these heads so it can be a pain.

2.  replace the heads with a used set - they're not hard to find inexpensive so this is often a good option.  www.car-parts.com, ebay, craigslist (beware), or even this forum - there's a parts wanted section you can post in.

3.  you can have a machine shop replace the bent valves for you.  they only need valves and valve stem seals.

***if you do this, there is no need for a pressure test though most machine shops request it or require it for warranty.  waste of money on these heads, they are always fine and yours are too.

 

you can resurface the heads yourself, it's really easy:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/122588-diy-head-resurfacing-or-post-apocalyptic-machine-shop-techniques/

 

*** Make sure you use the EJ25 Turbo headgaskets on this motor, it's a far better gasket that doesn't have any headgasket issues like the non-turbo version.

[ocei77]

1.  replace the bent valves - it's actually really easy, the only hard part is getting the valve springs off/on, it's a real bear and no good tools available for these heads so it can be a pain.

 

Tool is available but cost is $80 for the one shown. For occasional user it may not be worth the expense.

With a little effort a homemade unit can be made.

 

O.

C

Edited June 24, 2013 by ocei77