# after replacing the timing belt **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 15, 2003, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213 "2003-02-15T04:11:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/1 "2003-02-15T04:11:21Z")
Ok, I have a 2000 Subaru Outback wagon. It has given me nothing but problems. I replaced the timing belt at 80K. Now, at 96K the new timing belt snaps. I replace it and now the engine will turn over but will not start. I am sure this is a non-interference engine so I have no clue as to what is going on. Anyone have any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/2 "2003-02-15T04:15:21Z")
Just off the top of my head, are you sure the timing itself didn’t get screwed up? If your valves arn’t opening at the right times for the pistons , it isn’t going to fire. ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/3 "2003-02-15T04:21:28Z")
I don’t know. I haven’t checked the timing. To tell you the truth, when I replaced the belt and it wouldn’t start I was in shock. I don’t know why a timing belt would go after only 16K miles anyway. I wonder if they screwed up something when they replaced my engine at 86K. I told you this thing was nothing but trouble. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/4 "2003-02-15T04:38:45Z")
Have you been to Subaru about these problems? The people I know who have them have no troubles. In fact they brag about reliability. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/5 "2003-02-15T04:44:03Z")
?? You replaced the belt at 80k and then replaced the motor at 86k? They moved the new belt to the new motor? ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/6 "2003-02-15T04:47:18Z")
No, I haven’t gone to Subaru with them. I know they are supposed to be reliable vehicles but everything happened after warrenty was over. First it started popping out of fifth gear and when I took it in they fixed the transmission but charged me for replaceing the clutch, which they claim wore out after about 30K. Then the front stabilizer bar broke. The mechanic had never seen that happen before, this at about 40K. Next the ignition coil started shorting but it was driveable so I continued using it until the coil came in. By then it was driving really rough and now the OBDC says I have ruined my catalytic converter. 80K I replaced the timing belt as PM. At 86K it develops a rod knock and I take it to about 4 places all of which say a)they have never heard of that happening since the Justy was phased out and b) I had to replace the engine, which I did. Now the timing belt snaps and after replacement the engine won’t start. On the other hand, I still have the original brakes. ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/7 "2003-02-15T04:48:32Z")
To Reeder: Yes, they moved the new belt to the new motor. Is that something they shouldn’t have done? ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/8 "2003-02-15T04:54:58Z")
I’m not sure using a used timing belt is a good idea. The dynamics of each motor being differant. But someone with more experience will be along to enlighten us both soon. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/9 "2003-02-15T05:14:00Z")
I just looked at CR’s ratings for Subaru. Looks good. The redder the dots, the higher rating. And Subarus are pretty much all in the solid red. My next move would be to go to Subaru Co. Warranty or no. Sorry about your troubles. ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/10 "2003-02-15T05:24:26Z")
Check for a recall notice even if out of warranty. See [www.clarkhoward.com](http://www.clarkhoward.com) , its an excellent consumer info site. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/11 "2003-02-15T05:35:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dauerbach \* > \*\*Ok, I have a 2000 Subaru Outback wagon. It has given me nothing but problems. I replaced the timing belt at 80K. Now, at 96K the new timing belt snaps. I replace it and now the engine will turn over but will not start. I am sure this is a non-interference engine so I have no clue as to what is going on. > > Anyone have any ideas? \*\* According to this [site](http://autorepair.about.com/library/diy/bl_timing_belts-5.htm) some scooby-doo engines are interference and some aren’t. If you engine is not an interference engine and it does not start after a t-belt replacement, then one of several things could be wrong 1. Belt installed wrong. 2. Engine failure (mechanical) caused first belt failure and now won’t allow engine to start. 3. During installation, something was disconnected that is now causing a no-start condition. I suggest that you first check the list to find out if something got bent when the belt broke. Then double check your work on the belt and verify that nothing got disconnected. Oh one more clue, when you crank the car does the engine sound normal? Or does it sound different? Different would indicate a incorrectly installed belt. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/12 "2003-02-15T05:37:10Z")
Oh yeah, with any no start, repeat to yourself Fuel Air Spark Right place, right time, right amount. One of those is wrong ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/13 "2003-02-15T05:40:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rick \* > \*\*Oh yeah, with any no start, repeat to yourself > Fuel > Air > Spark > Right place, right time, right amount. > > One of those is wrong \*\* And Compression; gotta have Compression. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/14 "2003-02-15T05:58:49Z")
I ususally group compression under air/ correct amount. but yes gots to have compression. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/15 "2003-02-15T08:08:35Z")
If the Cat. converter is pluged, it may cause a no-start condition. No air out means no air in. Disconnect the exhaust just to test. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/16 "2003-02-15T08:22:53Z")
I think **Wolfman** was onto something with the valves. When a timing belt goes - the valves may get hit by the still-moving pistons. Also **dauerbach** has a point that they shouldn’t (reasonably) fail short of 80K miles. ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/17 "2003-02-15T08:24:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > \*\*I just looked at CR’s ratings for Subaru. Looks good. The redder the dots, the higher rating. And Subarus are pretty much all in the solid red. > My next move would be to go to Subaru Co. Warranty or no. > Sorry about your troubles. \*\* [CR rant] CR - the toaster testers. The same people that give the Masda Navajo a better reliability rating then the Ford Explorer :rolleyes: Note that they are the **same** truck [/CR rant over] Even if the timing belt was not correct, you would probably still get some pop like it wanted to start -what Rick said. With an engine swap in a modern car, computer/ingnition problems come to mind. I would look for spark. Can you hear the fuel pump when the key is turned on? Keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/18 "2003-02-15T08:49:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blown & Injected \* > \*\*[CR rant] CR - the toaster testers. The same people that give the Masda Navajo a better reliability rating then the Ford Explorer :rolleyes: > Note that they are the **same** truck [/CR rant over] > \*\* I was gonna say! 🙂 Though the Navajo only offered the 2-door “sport” version of the explod…er… explorer. And it had a different grill! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/19 "2003-02-15T14:19:54Z")
holy cow- Never had a Subaru but I they are supposed to be pretty dam good cars. Check your timing for sure. Is it an external belt? You do know that the crank and cam must be aligned **perfectly** when the new belt goes on. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213/20 "2003-02-15T21:37:40Z")
Rants aside, I couldn’t find a CR rating for the Navajo. A recall notice for the older Ford and Mazda, yes. Nothing even close to the OP’s car. When I bought my Audi ('02) A4, Several people couldn’t wait to tell me “Volkswagen”. Well, not really. But that’s ok. 😛 I’ll stick to my advice to contact Subaru customer service _before_ spending a lot more money, time, and/or frustration on the car. Can’t lose. Maybe they’ll give you a good trade on a WRX. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-replacing-the-timing-belt/155213.md?page=2)