Subaru oil pump, water pump and timing belt

Menderfender · 03-27-2008, 04:52 PM

I have a '94 Turbo Legacy Wagon and for the last several months it's been leaking oil from somewhere under the timing belt cover. I talked to a Subie mechanic and he thinks it's the oil pump seal. Then a week ago a squeaking noise started coming from the same area so I think the water pump's going now. From what I've heard I should replace the timing belt while I'm in there doing all this stuff too. Now I'm a decent mechanic probably only limited by my tools and my patience. So, my first question is: how much work is it to do all these things? (it's hard to tell from the Haynes Manual) My second question is: are there any tips or tricks for doing all this?

Thanks
(first time poster-long time reader)

cardoc · 03-27-2008, 05:21 PM

Follow the manual closely this is a half days work in a decent shop.Remove radiator for clearance.The seals mentioned ,also cam seals, waterpump and thermostat are no big deal to replace while you're in there.Tensioner I believe is hydraulic and needs to be compressed in vise or press and pinned in place. Start belt at crank and stretch around pulleys keeping marks aligned,tension belt.Turn engine over by hand several times and make sure marks are still aligned.A paint stick is a big help.This is the tough part they always seem to come up a tooth off so you need to anticiapate this on the second(or third try).Overall it's not that bad to do but requires great attension to detail.Before you take the cam belt off find and highlight the timing marks at TDC.
Goodluck,Cardoc

03-27-2008, 04:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Menderfender Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 1 OS: Windows xp	Subaru oil pump, water pump and timing belt I have a '94 Turbo Legacy Wagon and for the last several months it's been leaking oil from somewhere under the timing belt cover. I talked to a Subie mechanic and he thinks it's the oil pump seal. Then a week ago a squeaking noise started coming from the same area so I think the water pump's going now. From what I've heard I should replace the timing belt while I'm in there doing all this stuff too. Now I'm a decent mechanic probably only limited by my tools and my patience. So, my first question is: how much work is it to do all these things? (it's hard to tell from the Haynes Manual) My second question is: are there any tips or tricks for doing all this? Thanks (first time poster-long time reader)

03-27-2008, 05:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
cardoc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ct. Posts: 198 OS: win xp sp2	Re: Subaru oil pump, water pump and timing belt Follow the manual closely this is a half days work in a decent shop.Remove radiator for clearance.The seals mentioned ,also cam seals, waterpump and thermostat are no big deal to replace while you're in there.Tensioner I believe is hydraulic and needs to be compressed in vise or press and pinned in place. Start belt at crank and stretch around pulleys keeping marks aligned,tension belt.Turn engine over by hand several times and make sure marks are still aligned.A paint stick is a big help.This is the tough part they always seem to come up a tooth off so you need to anticiapate this on the second(or third try).Overall it's not that bad to do but requires great attension to detail.Before you take the cam belt off find and highlight the timing marks at TDC. Goodluck,Cardoc