Timing Belts..how often?

[pmichaud]

by how many miles or time????

 

TIA

[TROGDOR!]

Recommended every 60,000 miles. Though if you do let one break, Subarus have non-interference engines and won't suffer any damage. Just an inconvenience.

[Tom63050]

by how many miles or time????

 

TIA

 

Do 'em every 50K miles to play it safe. And adjust them every 10K. Since the driver-side belt also spins the distributor (through the driver-side camshaft), stretching of that belt affects timing. I noticed a difference after I adjusted my Gates belts that had 10K on them. Make sure to use either Subaru belts or Gates.

 

The belts need to be adjusted because the tensioners do not self-adjust automatically like on many other cars. It isn't a big job though. Consider putting on new tensioners as well.

 

Also consider either (1) removing the outer belt covers permanently, (2) removing the center outer cover permanently, (3) cutting the center cover in half. The center cover is the big hassle in this job. You have to undo the crankshaft nut to get it off, and you can't replace the timing belts with the center cover on. Then to get the nut torqued down properly when you put it back on, you have to somehow immobilize the flywheel so the crank won't just spin when you try to torque the nut. That's doable, but why go through all that extra work?

 

In a couple of weeks, I will remove both my inner and outer timing belt covers. Long-time Board members say it doesn't cause belt failure (which makes sense since Harleys are belt-drive to the rear wheel). And when you do have to replace or adjust the belts, it's super easy.

[archemitis]

learn how to do it, then wait till they break

[pmichaud]

Thanks I like that idea...no problem with snow getting in there?

 

 

 

Do 'em every 50K miles to play it safe. And adjust them every 10K. Since the driver-side belt also spins the distributor (through the driver-side camshaft), stretching of that belt affects timing. I noticed a difference after I adjusted my Gates belts that had 10K on them. Make sure to use either Subaru belts or Gates.

 

The belts need to be adjusted because the tensioners do not self-adjust automatically like on many other cars. It isn't a big job though. Consider putting on new tensioners as well.

 

Also consider either (1) removing the outer belt covers permanently, (2) removing the center outer cover permanently, (3) cutting the center cover in half. The center cover is the big hassle in this job. You have to undo the crankshaft nut to get it off, and you can't replace the timing belts with the center cover on. Then to get the nut torqued down properly when you put it back on, you have to somehow immobilize the flywheel so the crank won't just spin when you try to torque the nut. That's doable, but why go through all that extra work?

 

In a couple of weeks, I will remove both my inner and outer timing belt covers. Long-time Board members say it doesn't cause belt failure (which makes sense since Harleys are belt-drive to the rear wheel). And when you do have to replace or adjust the belts, it's super easy.

[Tom63050]

Thanks I like that idea...no problem with snow getting in there?

 

Not if you have a skid plate. Or you could make a short skid plate that only covered the area where snow/rocks could get in. If you don't have a skid plate, you will see two threaded holes on the body, just behind and under the front bumper, which are the two front mounting points for a skid plate.

[TahoeFerrari]

I only had one set out of several make it to the factory recommended 60K miles until I started readjusting the tension at 30K. Since I started readjusting at 30K I've had several sets of T belts go the full 60K (knock on wood).

 

I replace cam oil seals with every T-belt change and tensioners at every other change.