03 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder. Sitting at light I hear a sudden noise like a tie strap attached to a fan smacking an aluminum can over and over. I pull over and the car is struggling, half a block later it dies.

Had the vehicle towed home. Started it at home and the engine was shaking dramatically. Tested coil pack and was not reading anything on primary pins. The secondary read fine. Replaced coil pack. And replaced plugs. Now it will not start. Turns over but will not start. Can I post video?

Might be that the timing-belt Tensioner has failed, and allowed the timing-belt to slacken. The noise you heard could be the Tensioner flapping around.

Then the timing-belt might have skipped a tooth, and screwed up the valve and spark timing.

 

Take the left-side (looking forward) TB Cover off (3 screws), You'll soon see if the timing-belt is loose.

How much should it be alowed to move? Is it ok if paint mark in pulley and paint mark on engine aren't matched? I'm assuming after a revolution or two it should line up?

Something is definitely wrong and I wouldn't run the engine whatsoever until it's corrected.

 

Your video, the engine is running like it's had plug wires reversed. The noise however sounds more severe.

 

Timing belt should be tight. The tensioner should keep it tight enough it can't jump teeth. Remove the front cover and inspect the belt. 

 

I'd do a compression test to see if chomped a valve. It's possible the belt was old and the tensioner allowed too much slack, it jumped the sprocket, and now you have a bent valve, but that's only a guess, but still needs ruled out to be safe.

 

Not sure why replacing a coil would cause engine to not run, unless it locked something up after cooling down and won't start regardless.

Edited February 25, 201610 yr by Bushwick

It still turns over but will not catch. A lot of gas smell from somewhere when attempting. I've broke a breaker already trying to get the pulley off in order to get the timing belt case off. Going to try an impact gun today. I am able to see some of the belt on right side and belt moves about a half an inch up and down maybe more. I'll get a better look today. Stay tuned my saviors

Rest your breaker bar against the frame and blip the starter. Will break it loose every time.

To tighten you can insert a flat blade screwdriver into a hole on pass. side of block. It will hit the flexplate. Rotate crank and it will slide into a slot and keep the crank from turning.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/boostedbug/Subaru%20conversion/valance019.jpg

pic courtesy of JohnE

 

O.

Tried the starter method twice. No go. Will attempt flywheel tonight

You are doing something wrong.

Put breaker bar on so it will hit the frame near the battery. If its too long, angle it so that it will hit the floor.

No way in God's creation that this will not loosen that bolt.

 

O

Tried the starter method twice. No go. Will attempt flywheel tonight

whoa!

 

um, I assume it wasn't spinning? if it was - maybe your socket is cracked or too large????

 

 

weird.

Used a hinged reader bar with giant hammer. Finally broke it free.

 

A tension pulley had exploded inside. Bearings everywhere.

 

Replaced all pulley and tensioners and water pump.

 

Turn her over and runs smooth.

 

Suddenly.....smoke coming from down pipe where is connects to engine. Smells a bit like plastic.

 

Ideas?

grease from a split axle boot?

I'll check

Ok it seems it was just burning off some crap that had either been spilled or dripped from sitting for a couple weeks.

 

Took case back off timing belt had moved an inch or two away from lines. Is tensioner too loose? How much play up and Down should my belt have?

??? um - was it a new tensioner?

 

if you reused the old one, maybe you compressed it too fast and blew-out the seal?

 

 

maybe post up some pics and one of the more experienced guys here will spot something. include 2-3 good pics of the tensioner from different angles too.

 

no question you got the right belt/parts?

Edited March 13, 201610 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

New. Cams and crank still in line. Just the belt moved. Lol weirdest think. Took her for a drive, runs smooth as ever lol

Idle still rough. Tried the cup reset thing I read about and still rough idle. Now check engine light is flashing. Oi