Helped a neighbor tonight.  97 EJ22 OBS, idled poorly yesterday with no codes, then today No start, fuel good, timing marks good. Cam sensor code, the sensor connector and wiring look good.

I’ll look it up, I think the FSM has a test for the cam sensor  

How far apart are the timing tensioner set holes once the pin is pulled?

Does anyone have a picture of EJ timing tensioner hold down pin hole on a good engine?

The tensioner hydraulic pin shaft had about a 3 mm clean metal ring like the tensioner may be moving or are they all like that?

The belt seems a little tiny bit loose but maybe I’m grasping for straws…

1997 EJ22 - I could stick a drill bit into the tensioner hold down and pin holes. They’re only off by a little bit.  Seems like they should be further apart but I don’t have any in the garage to compare too.

Edited June 30, 20232 yr by idosubaru

I have spare sensors if you want some.

I like the old style tensioner and have swapped the bracket to put them in.  

I've recently noticed this with a bad tensioner; the side with the two smooth idlers, you could grab the top belt with your fingers and bottom belt with your thumbs and squeeze by hand.  I had a failing tensioner and was able to see it move way too freely when squeezing.   I've not tried this on an engine with a good tensioner, but pretty sure you wouldn't be able to move it with just hand strength.

16 hours ago, lmdew said:

I have spare sensors if you want some.

I like the old style tensioner and have swapped the bracket to put them in.  

Thanks. Got it I’ve swapped to old style, out of brackets and probably best to keep this guys stock for a few reasons.

Cam sensor maybe. I think I scrapped all my 90s sensors. Im working on it in a week so I’ll let you know once I test the timing tensioner. 

I have New tensioner's as well.  New style.

On 7/1/2023 at 7:37 AM, lmdew said:

I have New tensioner's as well.  New style.

 

Excellent I’ll take a new style tensioner and cam sensor 97 EJ22 if that works for you. 

OK, I'll get them out ASAP.

Anything else?

23 hours ago, lmdew said:

OK, I'll get them out ASAP.

Anything else?

Thanks. That should be it unless you already have an engine oil cap laying around just about any year should work. rebuilt a totaled Outback for myself and misplaced it and one of my spares. But don’t go looking for one, just if you’ve got it.