Tensioner and timing question

[erikvr]

I am going to embark on changing my timing belts shortly. Last time this was done, the tensioners were changed. My questiona are:

 

1) do I need to change the tensioners, spring and idlers every time and if NO, how can I tell when I need to??

 

2) Do I really need special OEM tools to do this job

 

Thanks!

[idosubaru]

be helpful to know what motor this is. if it's an EA82 you definitely don't need any special tools. the tensioners are up to you, i doubt you need to replace them if they were replaced with new. the tensioners can last the life of the motor, but of course they can fail as well. EA82 tensioners are cheap enough to justify replacing them if you want to feel better about it. cheap enough from thepartsbin or something, maybe not you're dealer!

 

if you're not sure, check them when you pull the belts. spin the pulley, if it's not noisey and there's no play then there's no reason to replace it. if there is any play in the pulley (like it wiggles on the shaft) or they are tight then definitely replace them. i highly doubt you'll experience this though. the bearings can vary in noise levels quite a bit, so that's more subjective. more than likely yours will spin nice and quiet. even if one was a little bit louder than another that doesn't necessarily mean much. when i check older subaru pulleys they typically vary in noise level - one might be a little louder than the next. so don't freak out about that, just post back here and let us know if you're not sure. shaft play and tightness or a lumpy feeling are VERY definitive signs to replace the pulley. noise is not so definitive.

 

these following comments are not recommendations, just options to be complete about the subject, i don't recommend either of these unless you really want to. buying new or leaving the old should do you just fine.

 

you can also by hypodermic needles at tractor supply stores (or probably elsewhere) for greasing tight areas. these can be used to grease the pulley bearings, which are the failure point of the pulleys. i've never done it, but know someone who has. i am getting ready to install a motor and look to try this.

 

you can also source bearings and have new ones pressed in the pulleys, but probably not worth the money or time investment since EA82 pulleys are so cheap and easy to get. but if you had access to a press and the pulleys were expensive this would be an option.

[erikvr]

Yes, I have an EA82. Forgot that key detail!

 

85 GL Wagon, 4WD 1.8 carb

 

be helpful to know what motor this is. if it's an EA82 you definitely don't need any special tools. the tensioners are up to you, i doubt you need to replace them if they were replaced with new. the tensioners can last the life of the motor, but of course they can fail as well. EA82 tensioners are cheap enough to justify replacing them if you want to feel better about it. cheap enough from thepartsbin or something, maybe not you're dealer!

 

if you're not sure, check them when you pull the belts. spin the pulley, if it's not noisey and there's no play then there's no reason to replace it. if there is any play in the pulley (like it wiggles on the shaft) or they are tight then definitely replace them. i highly doubt you'll experience this though. the bearings can vary in noise levels quite a bit, so that's more subjective. more than likely yours will spin nice and quiet. even if one was a little bit louder than another that doesn't necessarily mean much. when i check older subaru pulleys they typically vary in noise level - one might be a little louder than the next. so don't freak out about that, just post back here and let us know if you're not sure. shaft play and tightness or a lumpy feeling are VERY definitive signs to replace the pulley. noise is not so definitive.

 

these following comments are not recommendations, just options to be complete about the subject, i don't recommend either of these unless you really want to. buying new or leaving the old should do you just fine.

 

you can also by hypodermic needles at tractor supply stores (or probably elsewhere) for greasing tight areas. these can be used to grease the pulley bearings, which are the failure point of the pulleys. i've never done it, but know someone who has. i am getting ready to install a motor and look to try this.

 

you can also source bearings and have new ones pressed in the pulleys, but probably not worth the money or time investment since EA82 pulleys are so cheap and easy to get. but if you had access to a press and the pulleys were expensive this would be an option.

[85Sub4WD]

Generally speaking, if the bearings are fine, I would not feel the need to replace them - and even if one does fail, the engine is non-interference, and the timing belts are not hard to replace - a few nasty words, a couple timing belts (and tensioners), and you are on your way!

 

If the engine was interference, I would replace the tensioners reguardless - snapping a belt would kill the engine.

 

No OEM tools needed - really easy job actually.

[breaffyaviation]

I left mine soaking in a bucket of oil overnight.Worked perfectly.

 

Jude