How do I set the timing on a 97 2.2l from what I've read it is an interference engine.

Need more info. Are you replacing the belt?

Got a whole timing kit. Belt idlers and tensioner. stuff got spun accidentally while belt was off I don't know how far so I need to know how to set the timing on the car

Follow this http://lovehorsepower.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48:1995-subaru-legacy-outback-timing-belt-and-water-pump-replacement&catid=10:subaru-legacy&Itemid=64 or look on you tube. You may have bent valves though.

Spun with belt off was probably just a slip on one of the cams since they are under pressure. Valves wont bend from that unless someone tried starting the car or something

It was not cranked after the timing was off

You should be ok then. Reset timing and drive on. To be sure though after you get the belt back on turn the engine by putting a socket on the crank bolt and turn it over a few times.

Edited June 22, 201510 yr by desertsubaru

I set everything like the guide said. Car cranks freely but doesn't start now...

Make sure you are using the tick mark in the back of the crank gear and not the arrow on the front.  

Do you have compression when turning it over by hand?

Do you have Spark?

Have you tried adding a cap full of gas to the intake?

I have all tick marks lined up. Is it possible for the cams to be 180 degrees out? I tried just a spritz of starting fluid and it didn't help.

You can confirm that the timing marks all still line up? If the tensioner is weak it can jump a tooth or two and not start.

Tensioner belt and all 3 idlers are new. And yes after cranking all the timing marks still line up

Ok. And everything was running ok before this work was done?

 

If timing is good, check for spark next. Pull a spark plug, reattach to the plug wire and have someone crank it while you look for spark.

 

97 impreza would still have a black fusible link under the fuse box. Check that as well.

If you still have the covers off the TBelt take a picture of the timing marks.

Check that the large hose(@1" dia) from the IACV to air intake is attached.

 

O.

How do I set the timing?? All the guide says is line up the marks.. I did that.. Is it possible for the timing to be 180 degrees out?? I need to get this thing fixed asap

If you set the marks right it cant be 180 out because it don't have a distributor, Timing is set by the crank and cam sensors and controlled by the ECU.. Do the basics, check for spark first and compression.

If you still have the covers off the TBelt take a picture of the timing marks.

 

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n291/xjlisa/temporary_zpswmz1tuwm.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n291/xjlisa/temporary_zpsmxphpewf.jpg http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n291/xjlisa/temporary_zps7xuqunvm.jpg

Edited June 22, 201510 yr by xjeeper

So I was cranking to check for spark and it backfired through the intake and popped apart all the intake tubes..

I cant tell by your pics because i cant make out the timing marks. Do you have some white out or paint you can put on the cam marks? Also need pic of crank marks.

The guide said the center gear was the crank mark? If not there where is it.

Yes center is crank, two sides are cams. Like I said put some paint on the marks then take pics of all three gears.

The white spots on the can sprockets are the timing marks right? I'm guessing the little arrow on the center sprocket is the timing mark? http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n291/xjlisa/temporary_zpsx1kuixpt.jpg

Crank looks correct. Cant tell on the cams though. Your not talking about the white marks on the cam bolts are you? The cam marks are on the lip of the cam pulley, should be little hash marks on them..

Yes I thought the white marks by the can bolts were the timing marks.. Do you have a picture of what the marks are supposed to be?