The Subaru 2.2 engine comes in the 1997 through 2000 Impreza and Legacy models. For years 1997 through 1998, Subaru recommends checking the timing belt every 30,000 miles and changing it every 60,000 miles. From 1999 through 2000, Subaru recommends checking the belt every 30,000 miles and changing it every 105,000 miles. The 2.2L engine is a freewheeling engine, which means that if the belt stretches past the scope of the tensioner, it probably won't cause extensive damage. Several special tools are needed to complete the job, all of which are available at any Subaru dealership.
Disconnect the negative battery cable and lay it aside, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Remove the cooling expansion tank, radiator cooling fan, air compressor condenser fan and accessory drive belts cover using the appropriate sockets.
Loosen the accessory drive belt tensioners using the appropriate sockets or wrenches. Lift the belts off the pulleys. Remove the air conditioning drive belt tensioner assembly. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt and the holding pulley using the pulley holder. Remove the crankshaft pulley.
Remove the timing belt covers, belt guide bolts and the timing belt guide using the appropriate sockets. Turn the crankshaft clockwise using the crankshaft socket, until the crankshaft timing marks line up at the 12 o’clock position. Check the timing marks on the two camshafts. Both also line up at the 12 o’clock position. If the camshaft timing marks are not lined up, turn the crankshaft one more turn, then all three will line up.
Number the guide pulleys, starting from left to right, as you are looking down at the engine, and working from the bottom up. The bottom left is G1, bottom right is G2. The tensioner is located above G2 in the top right position. The top left pulley is G3. Remove G1. The belt will slacken. Lift the timing belt off the sprockets and pulleys. Remove the auto tensioner retaining bolt and the auto tensioner.
Check the tensioner and three guide pulleys by spinning them. If they make noise or have resistance, replace them. Check the auto tensioner for oil leakage. If it is leaking oil, replace it. Measure the auto tensioner pushrod. If the measurement is not between 0.20 and 0.25, replace the auto tensioner.
Push the pushrod with a force of less than 66 pounds, keeping the tensioner upright. If it moves easily, press the pushrod until it is flush with the upper surface of the tensioner body, then release it. Repeat three times. Press it a fourth time with a force of 66 pounds. If it moves easily, replace it.
Insert the auto tensioner into a hydraulic press. Press the pushrod into the auto tensioner, making sure that you don’t use more than 2,205 pounds of force. Push it in until the hole in the pushrod lines up with the hole in the auto tensioner. Slide the 0.08-diameter pin into the holes.
Install the auto tensioner and the retaining bolt. Tighten the retaining bolt to 30 foot-pounds of torque. Check that the timing marks are still lined up.
Install the timing belt working in a counterclockwise direction, starting at the crankshaft sprocket. Route the belt under G3, over the camshaft, under G2, over the water pump, around the right camshaft, then under the tensioner pulley. Keep the timing belt taut on the non-tensioned side. Install G1. Tighten the retaining bolt to 30 foot-pounds of torque.
Remove the 0.08 pin and allow the tensioner to put tension on the belt. Turn the crankshaft clockwise two turns, using the crankshaft socket, until the timing marks are lined up again. Install the timing belt guide. Finger-tighten the bolts. Adjust the clearance between the back of the timing belt and the belt guide to 0.02 to 0.06 inches. Tighten the bolts to 80 foot-pounds of torque.
Install the rest of the parts in reverse order of removal. Hold the crankshaft pulley with the holder. Tighten the crankshaft bolt to 90 foot-pounds of torque for the 1997 and 1998 models.
If you have a 1999 or 2000 model, oil the threads and the face of the bolt. Torque it to 33 foot-pounds of torque. Torque the bolt again, to 95 foot-pounds of torque. Check that the bolt turns 45 to 60 degrees. If not, remove the bolt and fit a new bolt, repeating the tightening procedure.
