Timing belt idler carnage

happs subi · 03-09-2013, 05:38 PM

I thought I would share with you guys my near death experience. I started hearing some wicked munching sounds from my lower drivers side timing belt cover, and assumed my water pump was going out. I figured it would at least last me a little while longer until I had time to change it. I was wrong

The next morning it was significantly louder, and I could hear the timing belt slapping around. So, I parked it and borrowed another car.

When I opened up the timing cover, there were shavings and bits everywhere. I am glad I parked it, I dont think it would have lasted me another day like it was.

Here is a picture of said idler. All of the bearings started pouring out when I was setting the timing:

From what I understand the drivers side timing marks do not stay perfectly aligned after it is set, but this was pretty off:

There were shavings everywhere, even pieces stuck in the belt. It took me a good 3 hours carefully cleanings it all out:

After a hard days work, I put everything back the way its supposed to and so far the wrx is running great

I learned a very important lesson here. I had been hearing it go out for awhile, but assumed it was just noisy belt pulley's. I make too many assumptions.

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corvallisbattery · 03-09-2013, 09:12 PM

Be sure to check and clean your crank position sensor! glad to hear all is well!!!

mod maniac · 03-10-2013, 12:29 AM

I just did a dodge d50 that lost its balance shaft idler and the bearings were loose in the front cover. one of the bearings got under the crank gear and pushed through to the oil pan. What an oil leak!! Yea if you hear something stop and fix it before it becomes a big problem

rrg123 · 03-10-2013, 12:32 PM

Why do you think the bearings came out?
Any ideas?

happs subi · 03-10-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvallisbattery

Be sure to check and clean your crank position sensor! glad to hear all is well!!!

Thanks, i did not think of that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrg123

Why do you think the bearings came out?
Any ideas?

The previous owner told me that he had changed the timing belt and water pump, so i assumed he also changed the idlers. After i took everything apart, I dont think he changed anything but the timing belt and thermostat, everything else looked original and very worn out after 153k miles.

On the idler that failed, most of the bearings were still in tact. As soon as i started turning the crank by hand was when that idler bit the dust

scby rex · 03-11-2013, 06:50 PM

those bearings are stainless and not magnetic.

dictoresno · 03-11-2013, 10:34 PM

thats what happened to mine as well. it seized and was dragging the belt over it. ended up killing my valves. glad you caught it in time.

happs subi · 03-11-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scby rex

those bearings are stainless and not magnetic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dictoresno

thats what happened to mine as well. it seized and was dragging the belt over it. ended up killing my valves. glad you caught it in time.

Thanks, I really feel lucky. I think if I would have driven it another day it would have seized, Im glad I made it up my driveway. The belt route is just too long. You've got 4 cam pulleys, the crank, 2 normal idlers, a tooth'd idler, an odd ball idler thats kinda up out of the way, a tensioner, and a water pump. Way too many things that can go wrong and destroy the engine.

WRXsubbie · 04-08-2013, 05:00 PM

Same thing happen to me last week. The PO stated that he had done the timing belt and idlers 12K ago and that he changed the clutch at the same time. It turns out the timing belt and tensioners had never been changed and the clutch is also original. Hopefully the PO is reading this! Karma is a MoFo my friend!

ogboot · 04-08-2013, 05:23 PM

Wow bearings everywhere. You got lucky, it looks like it only jumped 2 teeth or so at the most.

2gnt2wrx · 04-08-2013, 06:06 PM

My friend texted me pics of the exact same idler blown in the exact same way as yours just last night. What did it sound like before it got really bad?

wrx1392 · 04-08-2013, 07:21 PM

im thinking every other timing belt change im going to replace the idlers and WP weather they need it or not .

Tavery92 · 04-08-2013, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2gnt2wrx

My friend texted me pics of the exact same idler blown in the exact same way as yours just last night. What did it sound like before it got really bad?

Mine sounded like a train on old wooden tracks. Had the same issue in mine, caught it while it was very loose and not blown up. Made it to 96k miles. Dealer I got it from did belt tensioner and water pump, why they or anyone decides to skip the idlers is beyond me.

chris@grimmspeed · 04-09-2013, 10:55 AM

Glad it did not do any engine damage. That idler that you had go out seems to be the most common one to fail.

ogboot · 04-11-2013, 12:44 AM

My idlers sounded like old fashioned roller skates when I replaced them at 150k!

03-09-2013, 05:38 PM	#1
happs subi Scooby Specialist Member#: 200288 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: East Bay Area, CA Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX World Rally Blue	Timing belt idler carnage I thought I would share with you guys my near death experience. I started hearing some wicked munching sounds from my lower drivers side timing belt cover, and assumed my water pump was going out. I figured it would at least last me a little while longer until I had time to change it. I was wrong The next morning it was significantly louder, and I could hear the timing belt slapping around. So, I parked it and borrowed another car. When I opened up the timing cover, there were shavings and bits everywhere. I am glad I parked it, I dont think it would have lasted me another day like it was. Here is a picture of said idler. All of the bearings started pouring out when I was setting the timing: From what I understand the drivers side timing marks do not stay perfectly aligned after it is set, but this was pretty off: There were shavings everywhere, even pieces stuck in the belt. It took me a good 3 hours carefully cleanings it all out: After a hard days work, I put everything back the way its supposed to and so far the wrx is running great I learned a very important lesson here. I had been hearing it go out for awhile, but assumed it was just noisy belt pulley's. I make too many assumptions. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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03-09-2013, 09:12 PM	#2
corvallisbattery Scooby Newbie Member#: 333030 Join Date: Sep 2012 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Corvallis, OR Vehicle: '05 WRX PSM	Be sure to check and clean your crank position sensor! glad to hear all is well!!!

03-10-2013, 12:29 AM	#3
mod maniac NASIOC Supporter Member#: 300551 Join Date: Nov 2011 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: mariposa ca. Vehicle: 2002 DD wgn 6 spd 2.1 kel 272's meth 2.5xtr	I just did a dodge d50 that lost its balance shaft idler and the bearings were loose in the front cover. one of the bearings got under the crank gear and pushed through to the oil pan. What an oil leak!! Yea if you hear something stop and fix it before it becomes a big problem

03-10-2013, 12:32 PM	#4
rrg123 Scooby Newbie Member#: 344639 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: East Coast Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX Midnight Black Pearl	Why do you think the bearings came out? Any ideas?

03-11-2013, 06:50 PM	#6
scby rex Scooby Guru Member#: 104878 Join Date: Jan 2006 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: copperas cove Vehicle: 02 wrxbastardchild aw, 1,000,000 whp 2 aw tq	those bearings are stainless and not magnetic.

03-11-2013, 10:34 PM	#7
dictoresno Scooby Specialist Member#: 139816 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 2002 WRX, VF34 swap WRB	thats what happened to mine as well. it seized and was dragging the belt over it. ended up killing my valves. glad you caught it in time.

04-08-2013, 05:00 PM	#9
WRXsubbie Scooby Newbie Member#: 262343 Join Date: Oct 2010 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Carmel NY Vehicle: 2002 WRX WRB	Same thing happen to me last week. The PO stated that he had done the timing belt and idlers 12K ago and that he changed the clutch at the same time. It turns out the timing belt and tensioners had never been changed and the clutch is also original. Hopefully the PO is reading this! Karma is a MoFo my friend!

04-08-2013, 05:23 PM	#10
ogboot Scooby Specialist Member#: 170906 Join Date: Feb 2008 Chapter/Region: South East Vehicle: 2002 WRX psm	Wow bearings everywhere. You got lucky, it looks like it only jumped 2 teeth or so at the most.

04-08-2013, 06:06 PM	#11
2gnt2wrx Scooby Specialist Member#: 123625 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Waukesha, WI Vehicle: 2002 wrx vf34 Tuned at Cobb	My friend texted me pics of the exact same idler blown in the exact same way as yours just last night. What did it sound like before it got really bad?

04-08-2013, 07:21 PM	#12
wrx1392 Scooby Newbie Member#: 342331 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: tehachapi Ca. Vehicle: 2003 wrx blue	im thinking every other timing belt change im going to replace the idlers and WP weather they need it or not .

04-09-2013, 10:55 AM	#14
chris@grimmspeed Scooby Specialist Member#: 301037 Join Date: Nov 2011 Vehicle: 2003 & 2006 WRX WRB & OBP	Glad it did not do any engine damage. That idler that you had go out seems to be the most common one to fail.

04-11-2013, 12:44 AM	#15
ogboot Scooby Specialist Member#: 170906 Join Date: Feb 2008 Chapter/Region: South East Vehicle: 2002 WRX psm	My idlers sounded like old fashioned roller skates when I replaced them at 150k!