broken timing belt

[87dualranger]

``Hi Subaroosters,

It took a few misdiagnosis before discovering the true nature of the problem that presented itself on the Hastings offramp. At first It looked like I was just out of gas. When it still would not start, off came the coil wire, turned around and nestled uptop of the srtut tower

, tucked close to a nut that was grounded. I cranked the starter with the key, craning my neck around to see over the hood. No spark!!! Hmmm. BCAA came to the rescue and after a few tests for conductivity I was well on my way down the wrong path. After the tow home I started getting prices for the module. Why do they say "do not remove":-\ ? I really hope I haven't screwed it up. The quotes I got left me praying that there may be some way to fix the module. : I took the prayers and the module to my neighbor who is a pastor but what's more, has a multi tester. There was no need of a resurection after all as he pronounced them alive and well after all. So there I am putting the distributor back in, making sure it is in the exact position. Everything is hooked back up and still no spark.A bit more fooling around, craning my neck around to see while cranking. Hey!!! the distributor aint turning. :-\ Yikes!!!!! What have I done???? The modules??? Did something drop off the distributor I didn't see??? What's goin' on??? Well finally after a few hours of being that stupid I made the timing belt discovery. Now.... After all that!!!!! My question is, how do I make sure that the cam and thecrank are lined up?? I put the crank to top dead center I expect, but is there some marks for the camgear?? the distributor should just point at #1 I guess but rather than guessing, does anyone out there know exactly what to do in this respect???? I would be grateful to know.

[Turbone]

Here you go.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50768

 

We have a online manual for alot of repairs and maintenance, its at the top right under USRM.

[87dualranger]

Oh a thousand thank yous. Going back out there with a confidence instilled by your kindness in offering up the sacred knowledge and workings of the Grande Subaru.

While I was waiting for any kind of help or revelation to come from my experience with other engines, I took the time to degrease the engine while all apart.

I read, while searching similar threads, of the option of running without the covers over the belts. Hmmm . My old Harley ran good without a cover over the primary belt. Never even got my pants caught up in there.

Can anyone foresee any kind of problem that might arise from running open belts?

[GeneralDisorder]

I've ran open belts for about 50,000 miles thus far and have only had one incident - I dropped a shop rag into them while checking fluids one day. Broke both belts instantly. But personally I would gladly trade the possibility of accidental breakage for the 15 minute belt change using only a 12mm deep socket. I had a spare set on hand and was back in business in no time. I don't see it likely that any road debris could easily fly up there as long as you retain the splash guards and the skid plate. And personally I like being able to change them on the side of the road if need be. But it's entirely up to you - weigh the risks and the benfits and decide for yourself if it's right for you or not.

 

GD

[daeron]

last tale of "why NOT to run open covers" that I heard involved plowing into a snowdrift unexpectedly.

 

And it took a minimum amount of time to diagnose and repair; the time lost involved being abandoned by a dead vehicle. Your risk, but its pretty minimal, and the advantages are there.

[Reveeen]

Timing belts are not "snow friendly", especially the kind of snow that blows in while parked over night. Not just Subarus, I get about 6-10 a winter, that the snow has blown into causing the belt to skip.