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Outback XT hard start & rough. Timing marks off a tooth


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So I picked up a 2008 Outback XT that won't run. It has 172,000 miles. I got it to start for a couple seconds. It ran horribly rough, smoked and wouldn't rev at all then stalled. And made a rattling sound. So I took the cam belt covers off and find the timing marks are off by a tooth on 2 cams. So given the out of time situation can I assume there has been valve to piston contact? Or is worth putting a timing belt kit in it and see what happens? Looks like plugs are impossible to get at without lifting engine. I know a compression test will tell the story on valve condition but hard to get in there, Thanks 

Edited by Marathonman
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Nah, cams need to get at least 4 or 5 teeth (about 45 degrees of crank rotation) before you risk pistons hitting valves.

 

Doesn't mean it didn't happen before and someone put a belt on to try and fix.

 

Plugs are not impossible.  Just tricky.  Slip the spark plug socket in first, then slip a 3/4" socket to grab the hex on the top of the spark plug socket.

 

You will need a compression tester with a fairly long hose though.  No using the rubber tipped push in type (they suck anyhow)

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Thanks! That sounds encouraging. And I'm definitely the first one to get in there so no fear of previous mistakes. So do you feel being off a tooth will make it run bad and start hard? So install new belt kit and cross fingers right?

Edited by Marathonman
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