[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

OK

I just drove it on the highway and the rpms have come down just a little?!?! This is after 600miles of it running "too high". It is not back to what it was but better. The sound of the engine as it approaches 3000rpms is not the straining, burdened whine it had been making. Only when I reach about 70 does it begin that sound, which it didn't do until 75+ before. Hiding the tach is a good idea, and yes, it is still idling at around 500 when warm.

If you hid the tach behind a piece of paper and drove the car - would you say it sounds,feels,seems as if it is running at higher rpms? Even if this is an electrical issue with electrical noise being detected as revolutions, why wouldn't it be occuring at idle as well?

 

I dunno

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

Here is some more info. No. I did not change the tires, only the belts, seals, new water pump, idler bearing kit for timing belt, and an O.P.S. unit (??). I've had the car for 5 years and know where it normally runs. As soon as I got the car back and took it on the highway, I noticed my rpms were higher than they used to be... umcomfortably so. I do notice the ration of mph to rpms higher in the higher gears but it is also showing up a little in 1st and 2nd. I live in a little mountain town where our speed limit (in town) is 15MPH! I used to drive it in first and shift to second at about 18-20mph. Now I am too high in 1st or low in 2nd. This '96 has the smaller 2.2 engine. Someone mentioned problems from a pressure wash?? Like what?

My mechanic tested for the clutch on the highway and doesn't think that's the problem. The rpms don't fluctuate. They just stay high. I wouldn't care if that is how it normally ran...but it isn't. I don't feel comfortable "cruising" on a highway at 70-75 with it almost at 4k rpms. Your responses are very appreciated!

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

Thanks

It idles at about 500 rpms -- but I realized I am shifting up sooner in all gears not just 3,4 and 5. No funny smells, (just a little residual oil burning off)

The cam sensor and the crank angle sensor are fixed in their location. So if the computer is seeing the crank at X and the cam at Y then they didn't put the belt on correctly. How does it idle? Normal RPM at idle? If it idles really fast I'd suspect a vacuum line is not installed. I don't buy the slipping clutch idea. If nothing else you'd smell something really bad if that were going on. So to recap, you had the shop change the timing belt and the seals and now this happens when you left the shop. I find "coincidence" hard to believe.

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

OK

Here's another theory on the high rpms--cam/crank sensor is off? Any input?

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

OK, here's an idea from another mechanic. Could it possibly be the cruise control actuator? This guy thinks the engine would rev higher like this if perhaps that CCA got leaned on by accident and may be pulling on the throttle. Possible or highly unlikely???

I haven't pushed the pedal to the floor in high gear, just regular acceleration with typical rpm increase. What would that show? What should I look for in doing it?

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

I haven't pushed the pedal to the floor in high gear, just regular acceleration with typical rpm increase. What would that show? What should I look for in doing it?

come on guys a clutch dont slip and stay at a given rpm,does the rpms vary with throttle? if you are in high gear and you push gas pedal to the floor does the rpms go up drasticly? ed

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

Thanks for all your responses. I had all the seals replaced when they did the timing belt last week. I had a huge leak across the most of the undercarriage when the seal blew. So...could that have leaked oil onto the freewheel that the pressure wash didn't take care off?

I used to drive 70-75 in 5th at about 3200rpm (for 5 years!) and since I picked the car up, I'm hitting 3000 at 60mph in 5th. When I hit the gas at 60, the rpm rise accordingly but not jumpy.???

 

lol! yeah, IIRC you can nose up to a wall, tree, post/w'ever, select say 5th (4th?) gear and dump the clutch(at idle), the engine should stall.

 

Is it possible she has a rear main leaking oil onto the f'wheel?

 

I dunno - but I would get it investigated - soon

[Does the '96 Outback 5spd have a cable clutch?]

Thanks

It has 116K. I got it 5 years ago with 79k. I haven't replaced it and didn't get any maintenance records when I got it!

my 97 is hydraulic, so I'm sure the 96 is too.

the hydraulic clutch cylinder is on top of the engine just under the throttle body. Remove the air intake assembly to see it to make sure it's moving.

 

How old is the clutch? What's the mileage on it? You probably need a clutch; in my experience the Subaru clutch doesn't last too long - <100K.

[Does the '96 Outback 5spd have a cable clutch?]

After replacing a timing belt, my rpms are too high in 3rd-5th gear. Thru a previous post, I find it may actually not be related to the belt, but may be signifying a slipping clutch. Does anyone know if I can make a cable clutch adjustment on a '96? or might I be in need of a replacement?

Thanks

Susan

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

Well thanks again for the info. Unfortunately, I am not "handy" with cars...Any estimate on how long I can drive it?

 

It eventually will leave you stranded. slippage makes heat. Heat hardens the Flywheel, making hard spots that the clutch cannot grab.(for lack of a better, more complicated explaination) Sooner or later the car will become undrivable.

 

Now, that was the bad news. The GOOD news is a Clutch replacement is not too rough of a job, And might not even be needed IF the Outback has a cable clutch..it might just be out of adjustment. Someone on here that knows the newer bodystyle will have to chime in and answer that one.

 

If the clutch needs to be replaced, it's usually a 250-500 dollar job unless you are somewhat handy, and have access to tools.

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

Thanks

Yes, idling and around town driving seem almost the same. I notice the need to shift up in 3rd 4th and 5th ( due to the high rpms.) It's got 115k miles.

So is it typical not to notice this in lower gears if it is the clutch, and am I potentially doing damage now? I am keeping it to 65 on the highway (just over 3000rpms)

Susan

I vote for slipping clutch. Likely coincidental. How many miles on the odometer and what kind of side street/highway mix do you drive?

 

75 in 5th at 3k sounds about right. I believe you. Bet the lower gears seem normal too - classic slipping clutch.

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

If the car is going a different speed at the same engine speed, either the transmission gear ratios changed (which, unless they accidentally replaced your transmission, I don't see happening:D), or the clutch is slipping. I can't see how doing timing belts or seals could have any effect on the gear ratios, so I'd suspect a slipping clutch.

 

Zeke

Hi

Thanks for the reply. I thought the timing would have to be "adjusted" with a new belt? Anyway, any other indications about a slipping clutch and is it possibly just coincidental that this began as soon as I got the car back?

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

Thanks for responding.

No, there is no power loss, although it accelerates higher on hills now. Highway driving isn't good because I don't want to push it over 65mph with such high rpm.

[Very High RPM's after Timing belt replacement]

Hi

I own a '96 Subaru Outback 5 spd. with 115k miles. I just had the belts (timing and fan) changed while repairing some old leaking seals. They also put in a new "idler bearing kit" for the timing belt.

The oil leak is gone BUT my rpm's are uncomfortably high. I am shifting into 4th gear at about 40-45mph at 3000rpm and driving in 5th gear at 60 mph and 3000rpm. My mechanic says they don't have much room for error on timing because they are factory set??? Before the repair, I wouldn't hit 3000rpm in 5th until 70-75mph.

Does anyone know what is the normal range? and what can be done about adjusting timing? or could this be from something else??

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

Susan