Alabass Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 About to get a 88 GL and was wondering if the 1.8l engine is an interference type engine where if the timing belt breaks it trashes the engine? How difficult a job is it to change the belts? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86BRATMAN Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 If its what we call a hatchback, ea81 engine you won't have timing belts at all. If its the 3 door, ea82 engine it has timing belts but non-interferance design Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabass Posted July 13, 2007 Author Share Posted July 13, 2007 Could you tell from the VIN number? What's the difference between hatchback and 3 door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeshoup Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 EA81 Hatchback looks like: EA82 Coupe looks like: Its confusing cuz they were both made concurrently until 1989. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabass Posted July 13, 2007 Author Share Posted July 13, 2007 OK, thanks. It's the EA82 coupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Heres a link to the belt changing procedure. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50768 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabass Posted July 13, 2007 Author Share Posted July 13, 2007 Thanks, great info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 replacing your timing belts is a great first job on the subaru. big big talking point, everyone has an opinion one way on whether to leave the covers off of the timing belts or to re install them. I won't get into the issues and arguments for either side, but if you know what you are doing, you wouldn't be the first to run with no covers. Sometimes they can be difficult to get off in one piece, and not having them on makes inspection or any future work in that area a much less labor-intense job. It is your choice, though; a simple search should yield plenty of debate to read that would bring up all points, and maybe even a horror story or two. Some cars run in environments where it is less of a risk, some cares might wind up in areas where you want them protected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 EA82s are not interference....but, if the driver's side belt breaks, the car will not run (disty is run off that side) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabass Posted July 16, 2007 Author Share Posted July 16, 2007 Thanks for the help and advice. I did buy the car, believe it or not it only has 69k miles on it and is in very good shape. Couple of rust spots that should be easy to fix, one power window switch needs replacing and some stains on passenger seat need cleaning, everything else seems to work fine, including the a/c. About 3k miles ago previous owner had CV joints replaced , new tires and alternator, a/c and alternator belts. 1.8l engine is not very fast but should get good gas mileage which is what I need in a commuter. Would like to find an owner's manual if possible. Here's a couple of pics of the new ride. Picked it up over the weekend and have driven about 200 mi., so far so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misledxcracker Posted July 16, 2007 Share Posted July 16, 2007 Holy freakin.... wow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.