kevsev7k Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 (edited) I was driving my 93 Impreza and when I shifted gears the car jerked as though it wasnt getting enough gas. It felt like someone first learning stick was driving. I stopped the car and waited, then started again heading for home. I was at a stop light, put in first and started going when the car died and I coasted onto the shoulder. I tried starting the car and smelled a burning rubber odor along with a small amount of smoke coming from under the hood. I got a tow truck to take me home and looked on message boards for a solution. From what I could tell it seemed to be the fuel pump. Got it replaced with no trouble and tried starting. Would not turn over. Checking spark plugs and found they werent firing. Opened the timing belt casing on the left and found it to be absent. Opened casing on right and timing belts appears to be there. My question is, whats the probability that anything else was damaged and if I only change the timing belt, will I be able to drive the car? I've heard that the pistons and other components could have bent, which tends to be a more costly job. Any ideas or suggestions? Edited August 16, 2013 by kevsev7k 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 93 Impreza would be a non-interference engine: No damage will occur from a belt break. If I had to guess, you probably have a bad tensioner/idler/water-pump (pick one or more). Best to replace all of the rotating components that the t-belt rides against. Lots of places sell complete kits for reasonable prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Import experts on Ebay have good kits for $120 or so. All Idler pulleys, Belt Seals Re-seal the Oil pump and locktite the oil pump rear cover screws, new oring when installing the pump. Once you pull the timing covers you will see what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 +1 for theimportexperts on ebay. the kit will run about $125 - $135, shipped. i get my seals from the dealer, about $35 - $45, including the water pump gasket. 2- cam seals, 2 - cam cap o-rings 1 - crank seal 1 - oil pump o-ring 1 - water pump gasket then from the parts store buy a tube of RTV Ultra Gray sealant for the oil pump. i would not change the T-stat. the car is not over heating and it is working properly so why? they last a reallly long time. but if you do, buy it and the gasket from the dealer. the only t-stat issues i have heard about have been on cars with after market t-stats. never with a subaru t-stat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 some were check under valve cover see if has rollers on the end of rockers or not ? if rollers bent valves if hydros ok like stated should be ok but never know if engine may have been changed for later one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Ivan: The roller-follower EJ18's were interference? I don't recall hearing this, but it would be useful to know. (I have a couple in storage.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 HLAs in the 90 - 96 ej18. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottsheppard@videotron.ca Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Rock Auto has great stuff. I bought a few of the Gates Kits for well under 100 bucks and it came with all new bearings, tensioner and made in the USA belt. The bearings were from the same outfit Suraru sources from. Just sayin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 some were check under valve cover see if has rollers on the end of rockers or not ? if rollers bent valves if hydros ok like stated should be ok but never know if engine may have been changed for later one USDM EJ18s have roller followers, AND hydraulic lash adjusters. It's the latter EJ22's that have roller followers, and solid screw type adjusters. Remember, the follower and the lash adjuster are at opposite ends of the rocker arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 Simply replace the belt and you're fine on this engine. It's not until 1997 that Subaru ever had an interference engine where a broken timing belt causes damage. Something likely *caused* the belt to break though - an old idler out of grease probably. So it's best to get an ebay kit with all new timing pulleys (there are 4 of them). The kits on ebay for the timing belt, one toothed idler, 2 smooth idlers, and the smooth timing belt tensioner idler are sometimes only $80 for everything. That'st he way to go. Replacing just the belt is a recipe for doing this again in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 did the belt fix it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevsev7k Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share Posted August 20, 2013 Thanks for the help everyone! I didnt have time to wait for rockauto or ebay to ship the parts. I went with oreillys who price matched autozone. Just over $300 for the belt, pulleys, tensioners and water pump but well worth the cost as now I am back on the road and back at both of my jobs. The car is actually riding smoother than it was before the belt broke so I would say something other than the belt definitely was the cause of the belt failing. So far so good, as most of my local mechanics all said the valves would be bent due to the belt snapping while the car was on. They were wrong and I am happy with the results. Just proves to me I can trust a subaru owner more than I can guys who dont usually work on Subarus. Southern Illinois has many Subarus however mostly newer, in the future you can bet any problems I have will be asked on here first! Thanks again for all your help! I will post a picture on my little red wagon "Radio Flyer" soon enough. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now