Timing Belt Question

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 3:37 am

A friend of mine is pretty definite on picking up a 97L with a EJ22. Question: Timing Belt age is unknown. Car has 115k. Is it absolutely necessary to get that belt out now? Or is it worth waiting until it snaps then just replacing it myself?

And if I want to replace it myself, what tools would I need?

Binford · Post by **Binford** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:19 am

If you just wait till it snaps, somebody's gonna be stranded somewhere. Better do it now, IMO. I'd also do water pump and whatever seals are there. I didn't do any seals when I did mine, but I should've.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:53 pm

I think 97 is when the EJ22 became interference. If that's the case, you definitely don't want to let it snap!

sammydafish · Post by **sammydafish** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 3:05 pm

vrg3 wrote:I think 97 is when the EJ22 became interference. If that's the case, you definitely don't want to let it snap!

yup, 97 was it, so you want to do it, plus make sure you do it right or turn key, smash motor

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:50 am

Are we absolutely sure about this? I wonder how a EJ22 can go interference?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:53 am

I'm not absolutely sure. I'm pretty sure.

The interference is between the piston and the valves. The piston shape changed to increase compression, and so it's possible for the valves to hit the top of the piston when it's at top dead center.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:49 am

Isnt any DOHC engine gonna be interference, since if the belt snaps the camshafts can rotate independantly, allowing the exhaust valves to contact the inktae?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:37 am

This engine is SOHC.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:35 pm

I had thought that pretty much all EJ22E(apostrophe)s were the same. I know what interference is, but I thought that the engine stayed the same the whole way until it was discontinued.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:56 pm

Nope. See my posts in this thread.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:17 pm

's one of the reasons I'm hesitant to change the heads in my Leggy - I don't like having an interference engine of any kind.

Are all DOHC heads going to be valve-valve interference due to the potential independant camshaft rotation?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:18 pm

I do believe that is true of all EJ DOHC heads, yes.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:45 pm

Search of NASIOC came up with this....conflicting data!

NasiocGuy wrote: Has anyone out there had their timing belt fail on the 2.2L engine? If you have was there any valve/piston damage?

Lots of conflicting claims- from message boards, web sites, and dealers- that the 2.2L is or is-not interference type. SOA says this:

Dear Mr. :
I have consulted with our Technical Services Department who confirmed exactly what I relayed to you. I can offer you no more assurances than the fact that you have written Subaru Headquarters, I looked up the specifics of the engine on record, according to the VIN you supplied. According to our records, you have a 2.2 liter engine, 1997, which is a non-interference engine.

Best wishes,
Sandi Parente-Geiges
Internet Representative
Customer/Dealer Services
Subaru of America, Inc.

Responder wrote:According to the 1997 Technical Referance Booklet;

"Compression has been increased to 9.7/1 by reshaping the crown of the piston. This eliminates the clearance that was available between the piston at TDC and a fully open valve "

I have never seen a broken Cam Belt on an EJ motor. I have seen a few that changed timing because of tensionor or idler problems.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:52 pm

Maybe the change happened in different years for different models.

The car's owner's manual should specify the engine's compression ratio.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:27 pm

Yeah, when I had my 1999 Saturn, it was from later in the year and they made some big head changes, it caused lots of confusion when looking up and ordering parts.

I hate when they have two versions in a single year. Just ain't right.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:30 pm

free5ty1e wrote:'s one of the reasons I'm hesitant to change the heads in my Leggy - I don't like having an interference engine of any kind.

If you wanted to be really adventurous, you might be able to build chain/belt sprokets for the cams, have the cams tied together with chains and drive them both with a single belt. I'd imagine that'd pretty much entirely get rid of the risk, since it'd be tough to break a chain like that

It'd be a hell of a thing to engineer though, for something that can be prevented almost entirely through regular maintenance.

Imprezive · Post by **Imprezive** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:27 am

If you let the belt just snap it wont only run you at high risk for killing your engine, but will most likely shatter the belt cover and maybe bend a cam gears.

My dad had a 91 loyale and when the belt broke it bent the right cam gear somehow. I know its 2 totally different cars but I dont see why that couldnt happen to you.

Don't be a slacker, replace the belt and feel secure.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:31 am

But, I'd replace it faster if I knew I could do it myself. And if it's interference, I'm not going to do it myself. So, interference means a lot to me.

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:19 am

Just because an engine is interference shouldn't scare anyone from doing a timing belt. Make sure you have the correct reference material for the car (factory shop manual is best), read it carefully and be sure you can find the timing marks. I prefer to lock the flywheel in place at TDC to prevent any accidental turning.

entirelyturbo · Post by **entirelyturbo** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:42 am

The 97 EJ22 is interference. Without a doubt.

Here is the EndWrench (Subaru's official publication for Subaru techs) that says so (the part that specifically says it is circled in red)

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Timing Belt Question

Timing Belt Question