I just bought a 94 Impreza with a EJ18 in it a couple months ago with the understanding that the timing belt etc. had been recently changed. Coming home from work the other night the engine shut down on me on the interstate. Towed it home and tore into it today to find that the t-belt tensioner pulley bolt broken off inside the block. When it broke I was at highway speed so was running around 3k rpm at about 70 mph.

 

Can anyone tell me if I have an interference engine or is it a free wheeler?

 

Thanks

you're golden - it's a free wheelin' non inteference engine. no damage, replace the belt and keep going.

 

your 2000 forester though is most defintely and interference EJ25 SOHC engine. when they break, bad things happen.

 

when replacing timing belts i almost always buy the ebay kits - reasonably priced and include not just the belt and new tensioner but all new pulleys as well (all of which can seize and fry a belt too). keep that in mind at your first 105,000 mile timing belt replacementin the forester. if you don't...you're essentially asking all those pulleys, tensioner and water pump to last to the next change at 210,000 miles - the odds aren't good. not impossible, but not good either.

Thanks for the comments Gary, got the broken bolt drilled out today and am waiting for the belt..... the forester is next on my list as soon as I get the Impreza back on the road. On a good note it looks like not only did the po have all the idlers replaced the oil pump, water pump and all the seals look to be brand new. Looking forward to getting another 250,000 outta the ole girl.