1991 Subaru L engine just stopped and wonÂ´t start again

benster · Post by **benster** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:36 am

Hi all,

New to the forums, found you all from google.

Was driving home today and my suby engine just stopped... no signs of trouble... and now won´t start again. It was making a loud rattle but my mechanic said it was just a tappet/lifter not getting enough oil and not to worry about it too much. He only suggested putting a lighter oil in it.

Other than that, no issues. Only done 177,000k´s and had all itś services done at regular intervals. Timing belt was done at just under 100,000k.

My gut is telling me it´s the timing belt though. I´m new to subies and not exactly sure how to test it. It does sound like itś only got compression on one side of the engine though.. if that makes sense?

If it is the Timing Belt whats the easiest way to make sure and how hard is it to change? If not.. any ideas?

It´s a 91´ carby EA81?

Thanks in advance

Ben

Fang · Post by **Fang** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:46 am

You can check if the distributor rotor is turning when you crank the motor - that will tell you if one of the belts is stuffed (there are 2). (Of course it could be the other belt if it is turning).

It does sound like a belt to me

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:26 am

if you have an EA81 in a 91 L series some would consider you have been gipped, and if that was the case there is no timing belt. EA82 has timing belt and black cases platic at front of motor. It is what was in your L from factory

Fang · Post by **Fang** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:46 am

Eh.. didnt see the "EA81" bit...?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:59 am

It does sound like itś only got compression on one side of the engine though.. if that makes sense?

bit like one hand clapping stuff ?

Fatz · Post by **Fatz** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:32 am

91 is a ea82 motor.
sounds like a timing belt to me
Easiest way to find out.
Take a side timing cover off and see if the belt is broken or loose.
May have to check both side.
For replacement, easiest to do with radiator out. Approx 2-3 hr job to get everything spot on

chubby37 · Post by **chubby37** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:40 am

ben....were are you...someone mite be close and could be able to lend a hand...its not a hard job as the boys say but if its your first one it could be tricky linning things up again

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:50 am

The loud noise could have been one of the pulleys which the timing belt runs on. If one has finally seized then this would have a similar effect to a broken timing belt because it's probably buggered the belt and stripped all the rubber ribs off it. That happened to my old motor.
Yeah....if it's an L series, 1991, then it came factory with an EA82 engine - EA81's don't have timing belts. I've only heard of one L series with an EA81 motor and that was because somebody had done a swap.

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:24 pm

i reckon the ea81's have more guts than an ea82. matataks wagon used to piss along in the sand against jussys killer bee.

do you have spark fuel etc? else it does sound like a timing belt

benster · Post by **benster** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:13 pm

LOL... yeah, is an ea82.

Thanks all.... very helpfull bunch!

Just about to go and check it... as long as it doesn't rain. Will update soon.

I've replaced a couple of timimg belts, but never on a suby... an engines an engine... but....

need to head out and grab myself a service manual.

I'm in Canberra.

CPOCSM · Post by **CPOCSM** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:05 pm

If you need a hand - PM me as I am in Canberra too:) - could give you a helping hand if you need it)very basic knowledge of the Soobs as I have only really gotten into the scene in the last 2 years)

I reckon the belt has shat the biscuit...with the EA 82 you will hear it cranking like a rotary due to the one side of the engine only working.

Hooroo

benster · Post by **benster** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:11 pm

Yep... Timing belt.

What worries me, is that theres a sticker that from Repco that "says" that they were done at 138,000km. The cars only gone to 177,000km.

Either Repco stuffed up somewhere (poor tension etc) or something else has caused the failure. Other than the tear away on the belt... it looks like new... no signs of any real wear at all... no cracks... Oil... crows-feet.. nothing.

benster · Post by **benster** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:14 pm

CPOCSM wrote:If you need a hand - PM me as I am in Canberra too:) - could give you a helping hand if you need it)very basic knowledge of the Soobs as I have only really gotten into the scene in the last 2 years)

I reckon the belt has shat the biscuit...with the EA 82 you will hear it cranking like a rotary due to the one side of the engine only working.

Hooroo

Thanks mate... might end up doing that... always nice to know a fellow owner. I'll PM my details to you if and when the time comes.

For now... I'm studying the Haynes manual I just picked up.

benster · Post by **benster** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:20 pm

Heres a question... If I line up the Valve Timing marks... will everthing be set to replace the belt?

With the fan belt off and the timing belt broken... won't it be out? Haynes Manual doesn't cover a snapped belt.... just a striaght up replacement.

CPOCSM · Post by **CPOCSM** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:21 pm

No problem - my belt went due to the idler pulley seizing thus snapping my belt.

I have the Yank manual "Keeping your Subaru Alive - For Compleat Idiots" - yes it is spelt that way...it has proved invaluable for me. It is getting a bit tattered due to its age but is well used.

Let us know mate

Hooroo

benster · Post by **benster** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:53 pm

On further reading and scratching my head... am I right in thinking that I line up the crank shaft and camshaft sprockets while the valve timing mark is lined up... wack on the left hand side (right as looking at it) belt and then tighten it up... rotate the engine one full rotation and then do the otherside?

chubby37 · Post by **chubby37** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:59 pm

sometimes things just fail without an answer....even new things

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:19 pm

it all starts to fall into place don't it ? You have understood the manual well, even if you are scratchng your head. It is a bit like a secret , not like most other motors, dunno if the alfa boxer was same

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:22 pm

have you started the job or only at the planning stage? As you do it slowly and by your lonesome, reading ten times as you go through the steps it all falls into place and you really start to respect Fuji-master

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:30 pm

benster wrote:On further reading and scratching my head... am I right in thinking that I line up the crank shaft and camshaft sprockets while the valve timing mark is lined up... wack on the left hand side (right as looking at it) belt and then tighten it up... rotate the engine one full rotation and then do the otherside?

Yep that's it... My L took me 4 months to chase that problem, only found it after doing my sister's L that was on the road at that point in time - it came up with the same "symptoms" as my L.

I reckon the Haynes manual has dodgy wording... We were being typical blokes and following the pictures and the captions rather than reading the slab of text.

I'd suggest replacing the idler pulleys too - one of them may have seized or for some reason not kept up with engine speed causing the belt to snap...

Apart from that you seem to be on the ball

Cheers

Bennie

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1991 Subaru L engine just stopped and wonÂ´t start again

1991 Subaru L engine just stopped and won´t start again