Turbo_Manx_Maniac Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Went to Borrego last weekend, car was running fine. On Sat I let my brother drive the car, we ended up at Rams Hill for a beer. When we went to leave, the car wouldn't start. It would turn over about a revolution and a half and sort of lock up, like it had hydraulically locked. It just kept doing this with no signs of firing up. I tried to bump start it and it started popping like from what seemed like 1 cylinder. I suspected the timing was way off. Skip to tonight, I removed the belt covers and discovered the crank timing mark was about 3 teeth counter clockwise from the mark with all 4 cams perfectly aligned. The cams did not slip, just the crank. I pulled the belt and inspected the crank gear and it looks new, no bent or worn teeth. I clean the outer covers yearly and blow out whatever I can reach. Tensioner seems good as well as the belt and idlers. Only thing I can think of is that some oil or grease got on the belt and made it slippery? So now I am wondering what I should do. Clean it all and put on a new timing belt? Gates blue belt, Subaru belt? Hate to call Outfront for this, they gotta be busy on more important stuff. Sucks we lost all the Subaru info. The motor is a quad cam 2.5, gt28 turbo at 10 psi with meth injection. It's a JDM from OutFront I got about 10 years ago. It's gonna need some attention in the off season, it's burning a quart of oil every 2 to 3 trips and has about 10-15% leak down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkjuju Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 I had a timing belt slip once on a little neon, didn't realize that is what had happened and it basically tore up the head, smashed valve train. I hope you stopped running the motor before something catastrophic happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Never leave a Subaru in gear on any hill. We have had them skip a tooth (or belt slip) while parked in the past. Buy a new belt and install. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo_Manx_Maniac Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 It was parked on an incline, I suspect my brother let it roll back and let out the clutch to stop it, without the engine running. Gonna try the gates blue belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 4 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 4 show a close up pic of the timing belt area with covers off so we can see some detail and maybe some things that are not right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo_Manx_Maniac Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 (edited) Here's what I have on my phone, I'll take a better shot of the idlers etc tonight. These pics show the timing marks as they were when I removed the covers. Looks like one of the cams is off 1 tooth as well. @John@OutfrontI was looking at your website, I want to replace this shortblock after the season as it's worn out. I want to make about 350 hp at the crank, should I just get an STI shortblock, rebuild this one, another JDM, or get one of your grocery getter short blocks? What's the advantage of the long rod option? Do all forged Subaru piston engines make that loud knocking sound when cold, or just the S&S motors 🤣? Edited January 4 by Turbo_Manx_Maniac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rampage42 Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 We had several issues with belts skipping teeth when we all had Subarus. Never could really find a real reason. We ultimately changed the tensioner and stock belt, worked every time. We would change every season and never had issues again. As others said, don’t leave in gear, I always removed the covers every few trips blew them out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BW Willy Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 12 hours ago, Turbo_Manx_Maniac said: It just kept doing this with no signs of firing up. I tried to bump start it and it started popping like from what seemed like 1 cylinder. I suspected the timing was way off. Can you cause more damage bump starting a subi? I know you shouldn't tow in gear and try not to stop on hill in gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylanshaffer Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Unless you removed it It looks like you’re missing the gold plate that mounts just above the Crank pulley. I believe it’s there to help prevent the belt from lifting and skipping. I attached a pic of what mine looks like for reference. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo_Manx_Maniac Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 (edited) I am definitely missing the gold plate. Now I have to figure out where to get one of those. Edited January 4 by Turbo_Manx_Maniac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 4 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 4 53 minutes ago, Turbo_Manx_Maniac said: Here's what I have on my phone, I'll take a better shot of the idlers etc tonight. These pics show the timing marks as they were when I removed the covers. Looks like one of the cams is off 1 tooth as well. @John@OutfrontI was looking at your website, I want to replace this shortblock after the season as it's worn out. I want to make about 350 hp at the crank, should I just get an STI shortblock, rebuild this one, another JDM, or get one of your grocery getter short blocks? What's the advantage of the long rod option? Do all forged Subaru piston engines make that loud knocking sound when cold, or just the S&S motors 🤣? do you not have the derailer that bolts right above the crank gear or did you remove it already--that part is a must all forged pistons can make noise but the trick is in the boring tolerance. we typically dont have that issue 350 is not a tall order, what fuel and how much boost do you run? i ask this to determine options on the rebuild Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 4 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 4 4 minutes ago, Turbo_Manx_Maniac said: I am definitely missing the gold plate. Now I have to figure out where to get one of those. Outfront of course $15 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo_Manx_Maniac Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 15 minutes ago, John@Outfront said: do you not have the derailer that bolts right above the crank gear or did you remove it already--that part is a must all forged pistons can make noise but the trick is in the boring tolerance. we typically dont have that issue 350 is not a tall order, what fuel and how much boost do you run? i ask this to determine options on the rebuild I run pump 91 octane, methanol injection. I run 10-11 psi now, but want to run 15 psi. I am willing to run higher octane gas if I need to, and ditch the meth injection. I don't have a good spot for an intercooler or there would be one. The way my radiator is situated, there is little air flow in the back of the car. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo_Manx_Maniac Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 Outfront to the rescue, all hooked up. Thanks John! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 4 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 4 32 minutes ago, Turbo_Manx_Maniac said: Outfront to the rescue, all hooked up. Thanks John! parts are on their way 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 4 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 4 as you can tell the derailer at the crank is important, on the newer four cam motors like sti and Wrx's they even have options for timing belt guides at three of the cams too note: this option only happens on manual tranny cars as the Atuo's can "decell" an engine like a manual can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer75 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 On 1/4/2022 at 11:34 AM, John@Outfront said: Outfront of course $15 I need one! I returned to camp no issues and then would not start for the next run. Sounded like it was trying to start found rear 2 cylinders plugs super wet and the 2 front dry. I haven’t pulled the covers but hoping that it is just the belt slipped. I know from previous belt changes that I never removed or installed this piece. Previous owner must not have reinstalled at some point. After I hopefully reveal that the belt slipped I’ll order a new belt and guide thingy. unless my symptoms sound like something else?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Sponsor Kraut_n_Rice Posted January 6 Site Sponsor Share Posted January 6 On 1/4/2022 at 4:52 PM, John@Outfront said: as you can tell the derailer at the crank is important, on the newer four cam motors like sti and Wrx's they even have options for timing belt guides at three of the cams too note: this option only happens on manual tranny cars as the Atuo's can "decell" an engine like a manual can How does this work? Doesn't the belt follow the yellow line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 6 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 6 13 minutes ago, Kraut_n_Rice said: How does this work? Doesn't the belt follow the yellow line? The belt rides 1/2” more to the left of your line. The pulley fits down in that groove. Pics coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Sponsor Kraut_n_Rice Posted January 6 Site Sponsor Share Posted January 6 Just now, John@Outfront said: The belt rides 1/2” more to the left of your line. The pulley fits down in that groove. Pics coming Ah, the crescent part is inside the gear profile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 6 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 6 this may help 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer75 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 (edited) So checked my no start issue. Found all the cams line up on the belt but the crank is 90° out. Guess that’s good as it seems the belt is worn pretty good (guess I’ll just change it every season). I think this is and early ej20 (93ish). I don’t see anywhere a guide would bolt in around the crank. Were they not on these earlier motors? Or am I missing something? Thanks for any help. recommend oem Subaru belt or the gates? also are these early he’s non-interference? Edited January 9 by Jammer75 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 9 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 9 (edited) That belt is on correctly. The early automatic motors didn’t have the Derailer. You must change the oil pump to get the two bosses for the Derailer in your case. The oil pump is $150 for a new OEM pump. We only use factory timing belts $70 and the guide is $15. All in stock Edited January 9 by John@Outfront Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammer75 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 1 minute ago, John@Outfront said: That belt is on correctly. The early automatic motors didn’t have the Derailer. You must change the oil pump to get the two bosses for the Derailer in your case. The oil pump is $150 for a new OEM pump. We only use factory timing belts $70 and the guide is $15. All in stock “Belt is on correctly”. Isn’t the arrow suppose to be pointing up on the crank in this position? didn’t my crank pulley slip in the belt? I’m hoping that’s the problem as the engine won’t start. And getting wet plugs on the 2 cylinders furthest from flywheel(not sure the cylinder numbers.) 2 other cylinders plugs are dry after cranking. thanks John for help. I’ll order the belt on Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Moderator John@Outfront Posted January 9 Forum Moderator Share Posted January 9 There are two sets of marks on a subaru. Lines or arrows. If you put the arrow in the crank pulley at 12 o’clock then the 4 arrows in the cam gears will also be at 12 o’clock. We use the arrows when checking a car that comes in not running because they are at 12 o’clock when cylinder 1 & 2 are at tdc and we can test ghat with a long screwdriver in the spark plug hole. We use the lines when putting in a belt as that is safer (in this position all 4 pistons are 1/2 way down their holes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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