Timing belt idler - how smooth?

[Remco]

Hi all
My manual states to "check the idler bearing for smooth operation".
Exactly how smooth do they mean? As smooth as a roller skate wheel and
roll forever? Or, when you give it a whirl, it is supposed to rotate a
couple of rotations and stop.
Just making sure that I don't need a new one.

Remco

 

[Jim Stewart]

Hi all
My manual states to "check the idler bearing for smooth operation".
Exactly how smooth do they mean? As smooth as a roller skate wheel and
roll forever? Or, when you give it a whirl, it is supposed to rotate a
couple of rotations and stop.
Just making sure that I don't need a new one.

I'm not a real mechanic, just an engineer
and home shop machinist, so take my advice
with a grain of salt

Smooth means "not gritty". If it has grease
in it (and it should), it will not spin more
than a couple revolutions. Turn it by hand
while pressing it to one side then the other.
Make sure there isn't excessive play and that
it turns smoothly no matter how you put pressure
on it.

 

[Remco]

I'm not a real mechanic, just an engineer
and home shop machinist, so take my advice
with a grain of salt

Smooth means "not gritty". If it has grease
in it (and it should), it will not spin more
than a couple revolutions. Turn it by hand
while pressing it to one side then the other.
Make sure there isn't excessive play and that
it turns smoothly no matter how you put pressure
on it.

Thanks - that was very clear. You should have written that manual

 

[johninKY]

Did you ever get that flexplate problem fixed? just curious.

 

[Remco]

Did you ever get that flexplate problem fixed? just curious.

Hey John
Thanks for the follow up - you have a good memory.

I had ordered the parts online weeks ago and finally received them the
other day so just started replacing stuff. The pricing was much better
than the local Subaru dealer but they were painfully sloooowww!

Also got a waterpump, seals, etc. (see my other question on using
sealant on the pump).
I will let this group know how it works out -- will probably put the
engine back in over the weekend, if it all goes well.

Remco

 

[Remco]

Hey John
Thanks for the follow up - you have a good memory.

I had ordered the parts online weeks ago and finally received them the
other day so just started replacing stuff. The pricing was much better
than the local Subaru dealer but they were painfully sloooowww!

Also got a waterpump, seals, etc. (see my other question on using
sealant on the pump).
I will let this group know how it works out -- will probably put the
engine back in over the weekend, if it all goes well.

Remco

Just an update:
I got the engine in, everything is hooked up and have no parts left
over. <G>
Everything went without a hitch. The engine slipped right back in -
that was actually surprisingly easy. The exhaust headers were a little
troublesome (should have bought new studs and nuts) so that took a
little monkeying around.

Did find that the bolts Subaru sold me to attach the drive plate to the
torque converter were the wrong size!! I should have checked them when
I got them the other day and not wait until today..
Of course, found out after the parts department closes (after 12 on
Saturday). I didn't want to get different bolts as the Subaru ones are
probably some sort of specially hardened bolts. (don't want to do this
twice in a row).
So will have to get the bolts from the dealer during the week and then
fire it up.

Again, I will post results here.
Remco