Question for anyone running a Gates or similar timing belt.

[UberRex]

So I just got done doing the headgaskets on my 03 WRX. While I was in there I replaced the OE timing belt with a Gates "Racing" timing belt. I followed the Subaru directions to a T. Got the motor in an fired up no problem. Heres the issue, cruising at 2.5-3k RPM (any speed, any gear.) if I let off the gas I get a slight belt rubbing like sound. This happens only when I just let of the gas. If I push in the clutch or brake enough the noise stops. I pulled the timing covers off today to double check everything and make sure I left enough room between the belt and belt guides. There are no signs of rubbing on the timing belt at all. I've only put about 80 miles on the car thus far after the new gaskets and belt. Gates states in the parerwork that came with the belt that I may hear an increase in noise from the timing belt, but a rubbing type sound on lift off? Anyone else have this issue? Im hoping the belt just needs to break in a bit. I've triple checked all my work and its solid, any help?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[Agkelos]

Any chance you overtightened/undertightened the belt for the AC or alternator?

[Strider327]

Thats weird to hear. I'm about do the same thing as well.

[dem1k]

About the timing belt guides on the corners of the timing belt assembly did you tighten them within tolerance?

Also they could be angled slightly because the holes are slotted for them.

I would check those as well as the other 2 belts.

[SurferD]

there's a specific tolerance that the guides need to be around the pulleys. I think it's like .002-.005". I used a feeler gage in the middle of the range and put it between the belt and guide then tightened.Your mechanic may have had one end out of tolerance too close.

[UberRex]

Originally Posted by SurferD

there's a specific tolerance that the guides need to be around the pulleys. I think it's like .002-.005". I used a feeler gage in the middle of the range and put it between the belt and guide then tightened.Your mechanic may have had one end out of tolerance too close.

Haha I am a mechanic. I did the work my self. I went ahead and moved the guides a bit further out but to no avail(like I mentioned earlier, there are absolutly no signs of the t belt rubbing the guides.). I did adjust the a/c and alt belt a few times aswell to rule that out.

[SurferD]

Originally Posted by UberRex

Haha I am a mechanic. I did the work my self. I went ahead and moved the guides a bit further out but to no avail(like I mentioned earlier, there are absolutly no signs of the t belt rubbing the guides.). I did adjust the a/c and alt belt a few times aswell to rule that out.

Well I guess you know what you're doing then. Maybe it's the accessory belts.

[soobaviator]

Originally Posted by SurferD

there's a specific tolerance that the guides need to be around the pulleys. I think it's like .002-.005". I used a feeler gage in the middle of the range and put it between the belt and guide then tightened.Your mechanic may have had one end out of tolerance too close.

The clearance to the belt guides is 0.5-1.5 mm (.020-.059 in) which is pretty huge relative to just about every other internal tolerance...

You might want to check if the engine itself is moving around by checking pitch stopper and engine mounts...



-soobaviator

[rkramer]

did you happen to look at the backside of the plastic covers when you took them off? Just to make sure nothing is rubbing on that.

[J. Steinbeck]

I installed a Gates belt on my own 04 WRX, and really didn't notice any increased noise... especially anything along the lines of a "rubbing" sound.

If you've checked the guides, there's just not really much room for side to side alignment of the belt on the pulleys- I'd be highly surprised if it is rubbing the belt covers. If you recheck and don't see any rub mark on the covers or the belt itself, I'd be tempted to throw that theory out.

My money would be on an accessory belt. Possibly overtightened, but probably under tightened. I've installed a few new belt before leaving what seemed like the proper amount of deflection, only to find that once they ran a few revolutions they stretched enough to start slipping, requiring readjustment of the tensioner.

Just my guess, fwiw.

[UberRex]

Originally Posted by J. Steinbeck

I installed a Gates belt on my own 04 WRX, and really didn't notice any increased noise... especially anything along the lines of a "rubbing" sound.

If you've checked the guides, there's just not really much room for side to side alignment of the belt on the pulleys- I'd be highly surprised if it is rubbing the belt covers. If you recheck and don't see any rub mark on the covers or the belt itself, I'd be tempted to throw that theory out.

My money would be on an accessory belt. Possibly overtightened, but probably under tightened. I've installed a few new belt before leaving what seemed like the proper amount of deflection, only to find that once they ran a few revolutions they stretched enough to start slipping, requiring readjustment of the tensioner.

Just my guess, fwiw.

Exactly my thoughts as well. If there were enough slack/walk in the belt to move side to side then there would be enough to skip a tooth. It would have done that by now. (200 miles now on the install.) I guess I will keep adjusting the accessory belt. I thought maybe the tensioner pulley was rubbing on the timing cover but no such luck. Its weird, you would think if it is in fact a belt issue it would be a more constant noise, thats what has me stumped.

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by UberRex

Exactly my thoughts as well. If there were enough slack/walk in the belt to move side to side then there would be enough to skip a tooth. It would have done that by now. (200 miles now on the install.) I guess I will keep adjusting the accessory belt. I thought maybe the tensioner pulley was rubbing on the timing cover but no such luck. Its weird, you would think if it is in fact a belt issue it would be a more constant noise, thats what has me stumped.

Run the car without the A/C belt, for testing. You could run it without the main belt, on battery, for a short distance as well.

There's a known issue with the A/C belt tensioner. If you turn it the wrong way once it's loosened to the max, at reinstallation, there's a plastic piece in the slider on the back, that cracks.
If that happens, the AC tensioner pulley may not sit perpendicular to the belt.
I broke mine, anticipated the dealer may have to order, meanwhile the dealer was selling 1 of these a week..

[UberRex]

Well the ALT/PWR steering belt was a bit slack after I adjusted it and drove it. I tightened it further so hopefully thats the cause. Its starting to seem like an acc. belt issue all along. I will look into the a/c tensioner further, mine is not rubbing on the timing cover or anything. Thanks for the info guys.

[justooln2]

Originally Posted by J. Steinbeck

I installed a Gates belt on my own 04 WRX, and really didn't notice any increased noise... especially anything along the lines of a "rubbing" sound.

Quick question. Did you ever figure this out? I have a NEW HYBRID build here. All new GATES Timing hardware. and after the timing belt install and double checking the alignment. The timing belt is trying to walk off the crank pulley. the idler directly left (when looking from front) has about 1/6" of belt hanging off the front of it. and when rolling the engine over, you can see the belt rubbing quite a bit on the crank pulley, which is a guide, but its not supposed to have enough rubbing to shave my belt. ANY IDEAS as to what the hell is going on here?