I ordered a timing belt kit from RockAuto (GATES TCKWP254 ) because RA said it was the right fit for my '98. After receiving the kit I've realized that there are different timing belt tensioners and RockAuto and Amazon show both types as being the right "fit" for my car.

 

Can anyone give me a hand? How do I know if this (see image) is the right tensioner for my car? I'm not going to get a chance to take it apart until next week and I'd rather not get it all apart and then find out I have the wrong one...

 

 

I have a 1998 Subaru Legacy L Wagon (2.2). Is there a VIN digit or something I should look at to figure out which one of these i'd need?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

-Mike

Edited November 5, 201510 yr by tonsofmike

That's the old style tennsioner.  I"m not positive when they switched, but it's an easy check, just pull the drivers side T-Belt cover and look into the center section.  You can see if it's the old style or new.

 

You can switch new to old as long as you have the block that bolts to the block and the Pulley.

 

Old styles are the better of the two, IMHO.

That's an old style tensioner for 1997 and earlier EJ22's. 

Your 1998, unless it's been swapped, will be the new style tensioner.

 

1997 is the year I've seen both styles - though even then it's usually the newer style.

 

If you buy an old style tensioner bracket you can use the old style tensioner in your car.   Bracket, tensioner, pulley (assuming the kit came with the pulley - the one that has the "ear" on it).

 

As Imdew said the OEM Subaru old style tensioners are more reliable than the new style tensioners.   That's not an OEM SUbaru tensioner so I'm not sure if that's apples to apples, others can comment or make your own call there.

Also, you can call a dealer, give 'em your VIN and they should be able to tell you which tensioner you have.

Td