The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Just repaired my oldies vacuum cleaner power brush attachment - new timing belt and just realised that the outer casing has a window to observe the belt condition. factory belt has round paint dots in silver, when belt stretches you see oblong shape through window.

Imagine helping somone with no spark, no go on their L series and it is a belt - look through the little window in the timing belt case - see any disaster ?

Are we taking about the timing belt tensioner bolt covers on the EA82 here Jonno?

no, thinking Paul now needs sleep, making up for his absence... missed my point....if the EA82 timing belt covers had little clear windows (like the purple Wurtheim vac) to observe the belt itself on each side to ensure it is still there where it should be in an entire loop or consign China to make clear acrylic timing belt covers to go with those blue Gates timing belts - how sexy

Oh yes.. now I see now that I have rested. Yes very good idea and can you get them made for EJ SOHC and DOHC models as well?

i've seen completely clear belt covers on some japanese engine build before... looked pretty tidy

They usually use clear plastic covers on the cutaway engines that are unveiled at motor shows.

I think that Subaru decided that a clear plastic window was unnecessary because if owners abide by the belt replacement intervals, the belt shouldnt break.

Maybe if the vacuum cleaner was made with an hourmeter and a belt service interval book, the clear window wouldnt be needed either

Or if they used timing gears or a timing chain.
Then you don't need to replace the belt.

good point - but you may be too young to have seen timing gears made of fibrous material that could strip their teeth or timing chains stretch to unbelievable operating conditions or tensioners that poop themselves....

the vac is at least ten years old, twelve even .... belt was almost as dear as a timing belt - $8.00 !