kidwon Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 It's a 97 Legacy GT with the 2.5. I was on my way back home from Best Buy's black friday sale, driving about 35 mph when it failed. It broke out the passenger side timing belt cover so it was pretty obvious what happened when I opened the hood. I'm fairly experienced and I'm sure I can put a new belt on over the weekend but I'm looking for opinions on whether I can expect valve damage or if there's any thing else I should be aware of before I decide if this is worth fixing. The car is at about 180k and there are a few other minor issues with it. If I can simply put a new belt on and drive it for a few more months or maybe a year, I'll probably do it. But if there's valve work or anything more extensive involved it might just be time for a new car. Opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 you might have gotten lucky but from the couple i have seen you can expect a bent valve. the damage was rather light really, replace one or two bent valves and everything else is fine otherwise. replace the belt and you'll know rather quick. someone on here will probably send you a used belt for free to try if you're not wanting to buy a new for a suspect vehicle. i may have a DOHC used timing belt lying around i could send you later next week. i've done a few Legacy GT's this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 Sorry, bad news: this is a highly interferential engine. The car was running when the belt broke. Therefore, you have internal damage: no ifs, ands or buts. The only question is how much? Our experience says it'll be both head and piston damage. Happy Black Friday :-\ Emily http://www.ccrengines.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reveeen Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 How "lucky" are you/do you feel today? If it was mine I would throw a belt at it and hope. But, not being lucky when it comes to cars, you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidwon Posted November 23, 2007 Author Share Posted November 23, 2007 After browsing the forums here it looks like the odds of getting out of this cheap or easy are pretty slim. If someone does have a used timing belt for me I'd be really interested. I'd be happy to paypal some funds to cover shipping or whatever seems fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 if you want a used belt - post a thread in the parts wanted section. if you have no luck, PM or email me next week and i should have access to mine...if i can find them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrturbo Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 The chances that it didn't bend valves isn't in your favor. I have only ever seen two DOHC's ever that didn't bend valves when the belts went. Has the car ever had headgaskets? If not look on the bright side you can kill two birds with one stone. As long as you will be doing the work the bill won't be too bad, just yank the heads and send them to the machine shop. I wouldn't expect piston damage. I deal with reassembling these all the time after they get front hit and break the cam gears and less than 5% ever showed any piston issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 With a 180K miles on your engine, and a good possibility that valves are bent, maybe worse, it might make more sense to drop in a replacement motor. By the time you figure the cost of having a mechanic rebuild your motor, compared to dropping in a rebuilt motor, I wouldn't think there will be much difference in cost. Just my 2 cents worth of advise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrturbo Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Have you considered swappping in a 2.2? This could be your cheapest, easiest, most reliable to go. You wouldn't beleive how straight forward and easy this is to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidwon Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share Posted December 3, 2007 Have you considered swappping in a 2.2? This could be your cheapest, easiest, most reliable to go. You wouldn't beleive how straight forward and easy this is to do. Looks like this might be my best option, I just got a call from a guy wanting to sell me a wrecked 97 outback with the 2.2 for $500. Could you point me to more info on what I might expect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAWalker Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 '97 OB's did not come with 2.2L engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 '97 OB's did not come with 2.2L engines. no but 1997 legacys did, and its a direct swap in that is done quite a lot. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 '97 OB's did not come with 2.2L engines. The 1997 Outback Sport (Impreza) did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towel Rail Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 1997+ EJ22s are interference, for what it's worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Looks like this might be my best option, I just got a call from a guy wanting to sell me a wrecked 97 outback with the 2.2 for $500. Could you point me to more info on what I might expect? use the search button above and search something like ej22 swap* . you should have plenty to read. if going from manual to auto or vice versa, you will need to swap the fly wheel. unmount the AC compressor, but leave the hoses connected. this will save you recharging. you may have to swap the AC mounting bracket. there may be a bracket for the powersteering line that doesn't match up, make one or let it go. it's all very minor stuff. the wiring harness, computer, trans, cooling hoses...all the big stuff is the same. search, read and enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAWalker Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Quote: Originally Posted by WAWalker '97 OB's did not come with 2.2L engines no but 1997 legacys did, and its a direct swap in that is done quite a lot. nipper Quote: Originally Posted by WAWalker '97 OB's did not come with 2.2L engines. The 1997 Outback Sport (Impreza) did. Wow, you guys are tuff:rolleyes: He said he had a line on a $500 '97 outback, with a 2.2L. Unless someone has already done the swap, the Outback did not come with a 2.2. Sorry I didn't ask if the Outback was in fact an Outback before posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAWalker Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Looks like this might be my best option, I just got a call from a guy wanting to sell me a wrecked 97 outback with the 2.2 for $500. Could you point me to more info on what I might expect? Is this '97 outback with a 2.2 in fact a '97 Outback, or could it be an Impreza Outback Wagon, or maybe a Legacy? '97 Outbacks did not come with 2.2L engines. If it has a 2.2 then it would have had to been swaped in. If it had a 2.2L engine swaped in then that would be a great buy, and plug and play for your car. If it is an original '97 Outback with original engine then it has the same engine as your car. That would also be plug and play assuming the engine is good. I'm going to quite being a smart a** now. As far as I know the only plug and play option you have for a 2.2L is a 1995 2.2 from an automatice transmission car. There is a ton of info on this site about 2.5 to 2.2 swaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Most likely valves are bent. Every 2.5 I've seen break the belt bent valves. On the 2.2 swap. It's the cheapest way out. 95-98 2.2 will fit. If you have an auto, get one from an auto. If you have a 5 spd get one from a 5 spd. Auto has EGR ,5 spd doesn't ALMOST always, there are some oddballs out there like california cars. 95 2.2 will be dual port exhaust and use the same y pipe. 96-98 will need a single port y pipe from the donor car. All the wiring and hoses plug in. The P/S lines are different where they bolt to the intake, not a major deal, just let them hang or if it bothers you make a simple bracket. If you have a donor car swap lines. Swap the flexplates if it's an auto. The one on the 2.2 will be slightly smaller. $500 is a good price if the donor car offered is what you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 [...]Wow, you guys are tuff:rolleyes: He said he had a line on a $500 '97 outback, with a 2.2L. Unless someone has already done the swap, the Outback did not come with a 2.2.Sorry I didn't ask if the Outback was in fact an Outback before posting. I wasn't being "tuff" -- just pointing out that a '97 Subaru could have an "Outback" badge on it, not necessarily be a Legacy, and have a 2.2 (from the factory). Blame Subaru for the possible confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidwon Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 Well, I'm in. It's an Outback Sport Impreza. I bought it, after hearing it run, for $350. It was rolled so it's pretty banged up but it looks like the only damage under the hood was the cap for the power steering was cracked. It seemed to run strong and the guy told me they had just put a timing belt and pulleys on it. Now the bad news, It's a standard and the Legacy GT I'm putting it in is Auto. How crazy am I? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Not very, just swap the flywheels. I think thats all you need to do, oh and swap altenators. The Outback altenator is only 61.00 to replace, an imprezza 231.00 or something rediculous like that. Don't ask me why, i have no idea, but i do know outbacks dont like imprezza altenators (ask me how i know). nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Well, I'm in. It's an Outback Sport Impreza. I bought it, after hearing it run, for $350. It was rolled so it's pretty banged up but it looks like the only damage under the hood was the cap for the power steering was cracked. It seemed to run strong and the guy told me they had just put a timing belt and pulleys on it. Now the bad news, It's a standard and the Legacy GT I'm putting it in is Auto. How crazy am I? Do you have emissions inspections where you live? It will fit and run fine, but you will have a check engine light with an EGR code if the 2.2 doesn't have an EGR valve. If you don't have to worry about emissions and can live with a chekc engine light it should be ok. Use the y pipe from the donor car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidwon Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 There are no more emissions tests here in Colorado, but I am a little concerned about the egr thing. Is there any way to add one to the 2.2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Some of 2.2's had a block off plate on the intake where the valve would go. Most didn't. Even then the hole in the back of the head isn't drilled and tapped for the EGR pipe. I've heard that if you try to drill the hole you hit a water jacket. I've never tried myself so this is second hand info. So besides buying lots more parts, there isn't an easy way to add it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidwon Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 Thanks for the info. I'll take a closer look at everything when I can get it in my garage in the next couple of days. I'll start a new thread with my next questions and keep you guys posted with my progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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