am i going to need a new head?

well, something bad happened, and i couldnt figure out why the car wouldnt start..
it sounded like it didnt have any compression, so i pulled the timing belt cover...



all the other 3 cam pulleys line up with tdc(which is where this bugger is currently set in this pic, obviously its not lined up, more disturbing is that the intake cam is almost 180 off!!! note the color of the little idler, it should not look that burned

now sufficed to say, i replaced the timing belt, and all of the idlers and the tensioner, and spun it around 4 times after i triple checked the timing marks lined up with all of the tick marks, but after 4 revolutions with the crank, all the timing marks lined up, no strange noises or weird feeling as i was spinning it

then i started it up, it took a little going probably because it was most likely flooded or something, anyways, it starts up now, but its making a louder than usual? ticking noise, i could attribute this to very cold oil/sitting for 2 days without really starting, but it seems to run ok sitting still and a quick gas pedal modulation, noise in the cabin is almost non existant, but heres a video anyways

 

Take it for a drive and be cautious. See if the car runs as it should and see if the noise goes away after it warms up. Subaru's like to make weird noises when it's cold out.

 

If it didn't sound like that before the belt got replaced, I would be a bit scared. I myself, would personally take the head off and do some inspecting if this is a new noise. In case it is a head problem, like a bent valve or something, I'd hate to run it, and find out a metal shaving came off and scored a cylinder. But yes, our cars do tend to make a bit more noise then the average motor.

 

also, i did take the cover off the intake camshaft so i could turn the camshaft, so it possibly could be low oil in that camshaft? but i think i want to let it idle for a little longer and let it warm up

 

Probably a good start. Seems to me on all 3 subies I've had timing belts done on, all of them seemed like they made a little more noise immediately after, but didn't take long to get back to the way they were. None of them seemed quite that loud, but it could just be the video making it seem louder.

 

i mean it almost sounds like extra loud injectors too, but im hoping for the best at this point

 

Also, I don't think it would be low oil in the camshaft it self, but the lifters could have drained a bit. And sometimes they can take a little time to pump back up. Again, I am just making an assumption, I personally have not been into a Subaru motor quite that deep yet.

 

No lifters in that one. It will have valve buckets directly on top of the valve springs being DOHC.

 

Thanks terry. Thats why I said I was making an assumption. I've rebuilt a few motors, just haven't had a chance to get into a suby motor yet. Mine have just been to dang reliable to have to rebuild yet. Hehe

 

well buttoned her up today, took it around the block, it felt fine, til i got backhome and it started smelling of coolant(uh oh), then it started missing, and threw a misfire for cyl 3-4?

anyhoo, anyone know where i can get this head rebuilt cheap?

 

My first 2 choices would be NF Performance or RS Motors.

 

any contact info? price?

 

Both can be found in the vendor section here and price will vary greatly on what is needed.

 

sent nuke a pm.. hopefully i can get a reply soon.. i hate waiting

 

Rs motors is just finishing up on my motor rebuild. Very nice guy to deal with. He knows his ****

 

well, turns out the cams and journals got scored hardcore, my guess is when the turbo went, it sent shrapnel though the head... well new motor time..

 

Damn that's sucks and what you lookin at spending cause it can get spendy easily