Why are people telling me that you only need to change the belt on the EJ20 engines and not the tensioners, from knowledge it's usually the tensioners what let go first. I've just had a garage tell me that they are a non interfering engine if the timing belt snaps so don't worry about changing it. This is ringing alarm bells to me, can anyone advise me correctly and reccomend a decent garage in and around south yorkshire.

Thanks, john

 

I think all the DOHC EJs are interference. Possibly not with the piston, I think the valves can hit each other though.

 

Your garage should check the tensioner to see what condition its in, they would then change it depending on its state.

Tony

 

I've always changed them as a job lot tho on other cars, this car is a nightmare on everything, so many dif opinions

 

Change the lot, and rest assured that none of the timing belt components will then sting you in the bottom

 

Where's this knowledge from? IME the tensioner/idlers on a Subaru engine will usually outlast at least one belt. The one that tends to go first is the little one on 99MY+ cars. However this was modified in 2003-odd and the newer design is better.

There's nothing at all stopping you replacing the pulleys electively if you want to - but equally throwing away a perfectly good set of idlers and tensioner is a waste of good money. As Tony says the best option is to check them when the belt is being replaced. If they feel smooth and have no noticeable play/wear, should be no harm in re-using them. The biggest risk to the post-'98 tensioner design is incorrect reset procedure rather than bearing wear.

Oh really?

If it helps, the garage who told you that the EJ engine design is non-interference would not be "recommended".

As above, if you want to change them as a job lot, you can. It'll something like double the cost of your belt change though, and, depending on how old your current set of idlers is, may not be absolutely necessary.

As for "so many different opinions", I daresay there are just as many on any other car you've owned. The difference now is that you're on a website in which they're all served up neatly on a plate for you to compare and contrast.

 

When should I change my belt?? 3 years old 14k

 

So a 2007 car? normally 5 years or 50?k miles.
Will stipulate in your service manual when its due.

Tony

 

Cheers Tony. Dont have a service manual as it was a Cyprus special edition!! Yeh its a 2007 hawk WRX

 

Cheers splitpin, I'm going to change them all then I know that there all done and sorted

 

I have owned my MY99 since new and have only 60,000 kms on the clock - I work overseas a lot and the vehicle is often in storage.
The cambelt has yet to be replaced , although I am having a comprehensive service including belt replacement next week .
I have read a lot on the schedule for replacement and I am getting nervous - Mine is 11 years old !

 

RobJenks

Your tensioners and rollers should be absolutely fine.

Your belt is 11 years old and should be replaced, due to age.

I wouldn't worry unduly ... in the USA a belt has to last 100,000 miles by law - the belts on Subaru's there are thesame as the belts here (we change our belts more often, this is to line the dealers pockets, nowt to do with wear and tear!)