New Timing Belt Reduced MPG ? 2.2 L 95 Legacy

[user132384]

My friend had the timing belt replaced recently in his 95 Outback
Legacy with 2.2 Liter 5 speed. He noticed a slight decrease in power
at the low end of the RPM's, but no loss at he upper end of the RPM
band. Is there a way to check / adjust / set the timing? Could the
timing have been retarded when the new belt went in? His MPG is way
down too. He says he thinks he is only getting 10 mpg sometimes. It
runs OK, idles OK, just has power loss and poor mpg since the new belt
went in.

Thanks

 

[Michael Pardee]

My friend had the timing belt replaced recently in his 95 Outback
Legacy with 2.2 Liter 5 speed. He noticed a slight decrease in power
at the low end of the RPM's, but no loss at he upper end of the RPM
band. Is there a way to check / adjust / set the timing? Could the
timing have been retarded when the new belt went in? His MPG is way
down too. He says he thinks he is only getting 10 mpg sometimes. It
runs OK, idles OK, just has power loss and poor mpg since the new belt
went in.

Thanks

(Not a Subie expert by any means, but generally... ) Both valve and ignition
timing are something to be checked. Ignition timing affects the low end
more, while valve timing affects the top end more. But since the distributor
probably wasn't touched and that is normally driven off the cam, I suspect
the belt is off by one tooth. The ignition timing is easy to check, and if
it is retarded (I bet it is, given the symptoms) the valve timing is
probably going to be off also. When the timing belt is set right the
ignition timing should be right back the way it has been.

Mike

 

[user132384]

Thanks. How can I check the timing for him? I have an inductive
timing light? What do I have to disconnect, if anything? Is there the
usual grid of timing marks near the waterpump ?

Thanks

 

[Michael Pardee]

Thanks. How can I check the timing for him? I have an inductive
timing light? What do I have to disconnect, if anything? Is there the
usual grid of timing marks near the waterpump ?

Thanks

There you get beyond my experience, because so many cars are different now.
Maybe an experienced Subaru guy can help you with that, or you will need to
resort to a repair manual.

Mike

 

[M. Butkus]

You need to check the Valve timing marks... not the ignition marks. Who put
on the belt? If it was not Subaru... the timing marks off one tooth will
give you low compression and hence lousy gas mileage. You could check
compression. That's a dead giveaway. You should get some 120 - 140 Lbs
pressure.

 

[mczarnecki]

I had the same problem when I purchased my 91. When I changed the
timing belt, it turned out that the belt was installed improperly and
my cam shafts were retarded by one cogg. Setting the belt right solved
all my low-end power problems. Until then the car felt like it had
turbo-lag, but it had no turbo. It is a pain to move the timing belt
over by one cogg, but it is worth the time.