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sbkim
06-18-2001, 08:02 AM
Greetings!

Has anyone changed their timing belt at home? How difficult is this task? What special tools would I need?

Thanks!

nvrmore100
06-22-2001, 05:20 PM
I did mine about 2 months ago out on the street. Only special tools were a torque wrench (seems to be had to be able to do 115 ft/lbs) and a large C-clamp or a vice.

Otherwise its more a patience thing that anything else. Kind of a pain in the butt getting the belt to line up just right (which of course you want!).

One thing to keep in mind is, how many miles are on it. If its over 90,000 you prob will want to change your water pump while your in there. Otherwise when it starts to go you will be cursing yourself because you have to go and take it all apart again.

My pump cost me $54 at on of the local Subaru dealers.

If you need some help I can try to lend some wisdom...I'm no expert but at least its fresh in my mind.

Ryan

sbkim
06-23-2001, 09:38 AM
Ryan,

Thank you for your reply. Sounds like it CAN be done at home. How difficult is the water pump replacement? Time permitting, I would love to see your write up on the general procedures on this.

Thank you!

nvrmore100
06-23-2001, 09:49 PM
Like I said the whole procedure really ins't that difficult, just takes some time. I did it over a course of a couple days, after work, and before the sun went down. I would think the entire thing took me about 3 hours or so, maybe 4 (can't really remember). It would be beneficial for you to have 2 people there. It makes some things quite a bit easier (ie taking off your main pulley, and holding the belt in place when you are getting it lined up). The water pump prob took me about 30-35 min (mostly due to a stubborn gasket), really worth the extra time due to how much of a pain it would be later. I had to do mine as the engine was overheating, the timing belt was actually a side effect of doing the pump!

All in all, there isn't much of a how-to that could be written about it. Just take off everything that covers your access to the belt. Seems to me there wasn't anything in particular aside from all the pulleys/belts, radiator, and the 3 piece belt cover.

The one and only SVX repair manual I have been able to find (Chilton I think) however it actually covers like 5 Subaru cars. It was really no help except that is had the required torque of a couple bolts. You may want to pick it up, it's like $15.

If you have any issues, I can drive over to my dead SVX (tranny) and pop the hood. Maybe I can try to step by step descibe it for you.

Ryan

sbkim
06-24-2001, 09:19 AM
Ryan,

Too bad you are not close to KC area :)

Well, I guess I will give it a try some time this summer. I have about 80K on the car and I will need to change the belt soon.

Now, one more question -- what special tools do I need for this?

THanks

nvrmore100
06-24-2001, 12:25 PM
Like I said earlier. you really only need a torque wrench and a large C-clamp or vice. This aside from the basic screwdrivers, and full rachet set.

The torque wrech is to tighten down the main pulley when you are putting back together (along with anything else that is torqued in the book). The clamp/vice is to compress this piston type thing that applies pressure to the timing belt. You need to compress it, then insert a pin (I used a finishing nail) to keep it compressed. Once in place, you pull the pin and it will uncompress, and take up the slack in the belt. This little piston is EXTREMELY stong, I don't have a vice, so I went to the hardware store and picked up a $7 C-clamp (worked just as well).

I'll head over to where my dead SVX is today. I'll take a look under the hood and write down what I did. Hopefully this will help.

As for the mileage. At 80,000 miles I wouldn't be too worried about the water pump. However I would be at 95-100,000. You still might just go ahead and do it anyways, will save you the headache later.

Ryan

nvrmore100
07-14-2001, 02:03 AM
I finally finished the howto, including pics for this on my website. However I haven't got Eddy to proof read it yet. You may want to check it out though. Good luck with yours!

The howto's are here:

http://www.ryanmacdonald.com

under Sunfire/SVX

Hopefully it makes sense...haha its 2AM so who knows what it sounds like. :D
Ryan

sbkim
07-19-2001, 01:46 PM
I checked out the website but didnt see anything. Am I missing something? It's under how'to 's right?

Thanks!

nvrmore100
07-19-2001, 02:00 PM
Go to the site...click Sunfire / SVX....then click "SVX Howto's"

Its under there....

Ryan

sbkim
07-19-2001, 06:50 PM
Ryan,

That is AWESOME! Thank you for taking time to set that up!!!

nvrmore100
07-19-2001, 09:27 PM
No problem, I'm glad everyone is appreciating it. If you need any help, or I didn't explain something well enough, shoot me an email or post it on here. I will try to help you out.

Ryan