I have a 2001 Subaru Impreza L with a 2.2 Ltr. 2 yrs ago at 305,000 miles, I put a new timing belt, water pump, radiator, hoses, all new oil seals front/back/top/spark plug holes, and on. It now has 340,000 miles. My son drove it about an 1 1/2 hrs away, the next morning he said the car was hard to start, he let it idle to defrost the windows, then when he started out of the driveway it died, and would not re-start. He said it sounded like crap. Towed it home, got the front case off, and found that the idle pulley destroyed itself. I replaced the idler pulley, the belt tensioner, and the belt. Physically timing is correct, but sounds out of time when started, then dies. This is a interference engine, so I did a compression check, all good (180-185 PSI) per cylinder. Nothing is clanky, or noisy. Does the sooby try to correct itself when it noticed the timing went out, then stayed stuck in memory? I have not unhooked the battery yet, I know I should, but didn't. I'm bumfuzzelled, I didn't have this trouble last time I put a timing belt on. I have a Subaru back up CD manual that I followed to a tee, except for unhooking the battery. Any ideas?

you say nothing sounds clanky or noisy, but you also say it sounds out of time.

 

I'd say, DO clear the ECU with either a scanner or disconnecting the battery for a while - but I think a triple check of the timing, especially the crank timing, could be a good place to start.

 

Was the tensioner you installed already compressed (and you just pulled out a pin?)? Or did you compress it?

check for any vac hoses not connected. that would give similar symptoms.

Bent valves are likely with that year engine. Do a leak down test.

you say nothing sounds clanky or noisy, but you also say it sounds out of time.

 

I'd say, DO clear the ECU with either a scanner or disconnecting the battery for a while - but I think a triple check of the timing, especially the crank timing, could be a good place to start.

 

Was the tensioner you installed already compressed (and you just pulled out a pin?)? Or did you compress it?

 

It was already compressed in the box. I just pulled the grenade pin.

07 of 1997 and up 2.2's are interference. Could have bent the valves.... Hope not. Double check you didn't line up the cam timing using the arrows. its the little tick mark.

 

Even if the motor is done, just source one from a junk yard and slap it in or step it up and slap in a phase 2 2.5