[Advice on Noisy Timing Belt Pulleys]

I'd like to get some of those used pulleys, to see if I can replace the bearings. I moonlight as a project engineer at a machine shop, design and build industrial machinery. I could make a set of smooth pulleys, hardened with good bearings, but that would still be $$. I'd like to start with some old ones, anyone? Any difference for 2.2 vs 2.5?

 

I just asked my mechanic to save me the old pulleys. I can definitely ship'em to you. Drop me a note at dirkfabian @ hotmail.com. They are heavy buggers.

 

So I spun the pulleys as was suggested. Okay, not completely silent like the new ones, but also no grinding nor were they rough to spin. Just some noise. So I still have no idea about if I just ate $500 for parts and labor for nothing or not. How loud is too loud? I'm trying to imagine those things doing 3000 rpms, for hours on end, and i just can't extrapolate that into estimating whether they will work or not. Guess it's too late anyway.

 

Owwie owwie owwie.

[Advice on Noisy Timing Belt Pulleys]

What's the mileage? The smooth pulleys usually last 120k miles before getting noisy.

 

Yup, we're at 120,000.

 

So I was looking on a diagram and there seems to be 4 toothed pulleys that grab the bottom of the belt and 2-3 smooth ones that ride along the top of it. I would guess that the noisy ones are the toothed ones. Which one do you mean, as it looks likes there are a couple of those.

 

Also, what's up with this belt tensioner? I've been reading that there is some recall/replacement in effect for the Outbacks. Is that something that ought to be replaced (hopefully on their dime).

 

Thanks for the response! - Dirk

[Advice on Noisy Timing Belt Pulleys]

Hey all -- First post for me -- hope to get some advice.

 

I am currently going through Head Gasket Hell with a '97 Outback that I just picked up used - luckily the HGs were warranteed from the dealer where I bought the car. *sigh* But now my car is at the mechanics and the engine is out. I just got the list on all the _other_ things he thinks should be done to bring the car up to snuff.

 

I'm definitely doing a new clutch - the old one was doing the flakey jumping after cold starts (no, i'm not just a crappy 5sp driver). How do I know that I'm getting one of the new improved clutches that don't have this issue so much?

 

Also, new rear seals; check the radiator, thermostat, timing belt all understandable fixes.

 

BUT! The kicker is that he says that the timing belt pulleys are somewhat noisy and I should replace all 4 pulleys at about $110 per pulley. OUCH.

 

Questions:

Could someone give me the lowdown on whether this is VERY BAD THING, something that should be done while the engine is out (like the clutch) or is this a "would be a good idea to" item, but can be done either with the engine out or in. I realize that this is an interference engine and that a timing belt failiure due to a seized pulley can be super bad. I've also noticed that the car would shake a little on idle - I initially wrote this off to the warped heads - but now I think it might be these pulleys? Any opinions? Advice? Help!

 

I read on another thread about folks using a syringe to inject some more lube into the sealed bearing housing for these pulleys. Is this something a mechanical moron like me can do (most i've ever done is alternators, headlights, and oil changes.) Does it work? Pitfalls?

 

Thanks much for any insight to my predicament -- i'm looking for a reliable car and wondering why the outbacks aren't as bomber as my '87 wagon, my '92 wagon or my deer-mauled '95 wagon. A little frustrated.

 

cheers, Dirk