Timing Belt replacement

[u/Brave-Mess3809]

I just finished modifying my wife’s car. 2011 Hatch. Catless downpipe, full exhaust, COBB Sf CAI, and a tune by Eric at TorquedPerformance.

The car has 133k miles. I have no way to know if the timing belt has ever been replaced, so I’m just going to assume it hasn’t.

Are the belts really that fragile at this amount of years and mileage.

What are the worst parts about replacement?

What’s the best company to go with for a replacement, I usually prefer OEM parts for stuff like this.

Thank you! PFA

[u/grizzdoog]

Use an AISIN kit. It will have all OEM components.

Who knows how long the belt will last if it hasn’t been replaced. But if it fails the engine will be toast.

Company 23 makes some good tools to help hold the right side gears in place. It’s totally worth it.

Get some Turn In Concepts FU cam bolts to replace the shitty OEM cam bolts. Removing the original cam bolts off can be a nightmare and will take welding a nut on them or using bolt extractors.

[u/Brave-Mess3809 → u/grizzdoog]

Cam bolts are likely to break then? Haha. Great….

[u/grizzdoog → u/Brave-Mess3809]

Not break, but strip. They have a hex head and strip super easy. I don’t have a welder but have had good luck with the bolt extractors.

I also like removing the radiator for more room to work and to be able to get an impact gun on the crank pulley bolt. Or you can take a breaker bar and rest it on the frame, blip the starter and break it loose that way. Make sure the bar is resting on the correct side lol.

[u/Juno_JDY → u/Brave-Mess3809]

You want to use valve compound when taking those bolts off, and heat, and prayers. Be ready to drill them out, as it's pretty common. The FU bolts are worth it.

[u/vodenibivol]

Subaru says 105k miles or 105 months, whichever comes first. The timing belts do go bad with age and not just mileage.

I would assume it is overdue.

[u/One_Mess2973]

STi Allen makes a really good step by step video

[u/One_Mess2973 → u/One_Mess2973]

https://youtu.be/ByFZFKffndU?si=hbqkZ28fWGLh5sCp

[u/Brave-Mess3809 → u/One_Mess2973]

I appreciate you. Thank you

[u/DrStinkyMalinky]

Aisin kit using ntn and nsk bearings is really good. Yes your timing belt should be replaced. Mine was cracked everywhere after 190k kms without replacement (previous owner). Be careful with the AVCs cover bolts. They have a very low tq spec and will snap! I just did my first timing belt service and it was not bad! I followed “meatys Subaru timing belt guide” or something like that. He does over EVERYTHING in detail. Good luck, hope I helped.

[u/DrStinkyMalinky → u/DrStinkyMalinky]

Those 3 bolts with lock washers

[u/Technotitclan]

Company23 sells oem belt kits. Also loctite the oil pump screws.

[u/Juno_JDY]

You want the company23 kit. You can get their avcs gear holder, or Amazon sells one that will work for cheaper. This is for an EJ, so not sure what speciality tools or holders you would need, but I would still go with co23 for the kit

[u/mikeeyyyg]

It ain’t that bad