Hello -- I am in the process of replacing my timing belt on a 2003 Subaru Forester, which has a SOHC engine. When I removed the belt, the tension caused the cams to spin -- the passenger side cam spun about 15 degrees to the right and the driver side cam spun about 40 degrees to the left. How do I ensure all of the marks are properly aligned when I install the new timing belt?
Thank you,
Vincent
Like @doc I recommend looking for the manual or diagram for your engine which shows you exactly how the gears should be oriented. Sometimes it is self explanatory, with lines and markings on the gears and the engine, but it is best confirm with a reliable source.
Fwiw, when doing my timing belt, I double and triple checked my gears lining up using videos from different people doing the timing belt for my engine. I also lucked out, in that I found my repair manual on line through googling.
Well fist, it cannot be SOHC engine when it has 2 cams. You need to see a shop manual which will tell you how to get the engine to TDC and indicate the alignments marks on the belt, cams and torsional damper. This is critical if you don't want to destroy the engine.
If you Google 2003 Subaru Foresters timing belt diagram, you'll see plenty of picture to help you get everything lined up correctly. Good luck!
Correction - your motor actually is a SOHC engine. Sorry.
The crankshaft is aligned where it should be -- the mark is pointing straight up. There is a lot of tension in the, currently misaligned, right camshaft. Can I, safely, put a breaker bar on it and rotate it?
NO. Do not force the cam into position. With the crankshaft mark straight up you could be on number 1 or number 4. You're probably on number 4. Rotate the crank another 360 degrees clockwise and see if the cam can be put in the proper position. If you feel any resistance, stop and redo the set up. Be gentle.