2012 Subaru Forester Timing Belt
About this episode
A 2012 Subaru Forester is put under the microscope as Bernie Pollock shares insights from a recent service. The owner, a new client from Ontario, requested a timing belt replacement and a thorough inspection. The discussion highlights the importance of a complete timing belt job, including replacing pulleys and seals to prevent future issues. Bernie also addresses common Subaru concerns, emphasizing the reliability of the dual overhead cam engines compared to their single overhead counterparts. Listeners will gain valuable maintenance tips and learn about potential rust issues from road salt exposure.
Subaru Forester
"So today's guest is at 2012 Subaru Forester. What was the story behind this automobile?"
The Subaru Forester is a type of vehicle called an SUV, which is designed for both city driving and off-road conditions. The 2012 model is known for being reliable and having a lot of space inside.
The Subaru Forester is a compact SUV known for its all-wheel drive capability and practicality. The 2012 model is part of the fourth generation, which offers a spacious interior and good safety ratings.
timing belt
"And he also requested the timing belt to be replaced because it was due by mileage. And just want to make sure the car was good enough to drive around and then head back to Ontario a few months down the road."
The timing belt is a rubber belt that helps keep the engine parts moving in sync. If it breaks, it can cause serious damage to the engine, so it's important to replace it when needed.
A timing belt is a critical component in an engine that synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft. It ensures that the engine's valves open and close at the correct times during each cylinder's intake and exhaust strokes. Replacing it at the recommended intervals is essential to prevent engine damage.
comprehensive inspection
"We did a comprehensive inspection on the vehicle. So a full vehicle lookover. We found some issues, some of which we addressed, some which were left on the list of to-dos."
A comprehensive inspection means checking every part of the car to make sure everything is working well. It's like a health check-up for your vehicle.
A comprehensive inspection is a thorough evaluation of a vehicle's overall condition, including its mechanical, electrical, and safety systems. It helps identify any existing issues and maintenance needs, ensuring the vehicle is safe and reliable.
dual overhead cam
"So we want to show you what a proper, complete timing belt job on a Subaru 2.5 liter dual overhead cam engines."
Dual overhead cam means the engine has two parts that control the opening and closing of the valves. This helps the engine run better and use fuel more efficiently.
Dual overhead cam (DOHC) refers to an engine design where two camshafts are used for each bank of cylinders, allowing for more precise control of the engine's intake and exhaust valves. This design typically improves engine performance and efficiency.
single overhead cam
"the timing belts stopped being used on Subaru's around the 2010, 2011 model years on the 2.5 liter single overhead cams."
Single overhead cam means the engine has one part that controls the valves. It's simpler than dual overhead cam but might not work as well for performance.
Single overhead cam (SOHC) refers to an engine design where one camshaft is used for each bank of cylinders. This design is simpler and can be less expensive to manufacture, but it may not provide the same level of performance as a dual overhead cam setup.
horizontal engine
"because Subaru is a horizontal used engine."
A horizontal engine is a type of engine where the cylinders are flat and move sideways. This helps keep the car stable while driving.
A horizontal engine, often referred to as a boxer engine, has cylinders that lie flat and move in opposite directions. This design lowers the center of gravity and can improve vehicle stability and handling.
Subaru
"Beautiful Subaru. Unfortunately, one of the issues we did find is there was a lot of rust under the vehicle"
Subaru is a car company from Japan that makes vehicles known for being good in tough weather conditions, like snow and rain.
Subaru is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and boxer engines. The brand has a strong following among outdoor enthusiasts and rally fans.
rust
"Unfortunately, one of the issues we did find is there was a lot of rust under the vehicle because they use a lot of road salt back east."
Rust is what happens to metal when it gets wet and starts to break down. It can make car parts weak and cause problems if not fixed.
Rust is a form of corrosion that occurs when iron or its alloys are exposed to moisture and oxygen. It can weaken metal parts of a vehicle, leading to structural issues if not addressed.
road salt
"because they use a lot of road salt back east. And you can even see it on the wheels of the car."
Road salt is salt spread on roads in winter to help melt ice. It can cause cars to rust faster, especially if they are exposed to it a lot.
Road salt is commonly used in colder regions to melt ice and snow on roads. While it helps with safety, it can lead to increased rust on vehicles due to its corrosive nature.
camshaft
"And it's got four camshafts to go around. So it's pretty long as far as timing belts go."
The camshaft is a part of the engine that helps open and close the valves. More camshafts can mean better performance for the engine.
A camshaft is a rotating shaft in an engine that controls the opening and closing of the engine's valves. The number of camshafts can vary depending on the engine design, affecting performance and efficiency.
pulleys
"There are some pulleys above the timing belt. Those are all replaced."
Pulleys are round parts that help the timing belt move smoothly. They make sure everything in the engine works together properly.
Pulleys are wheel-like components that help guide and transfer the motion of the timing belt and other belts in the engine. They are essential for the proper functioning of the timing system and other accessories driven by belts.
water pump
"The other big silvery item on the right, that's the water pump. And very important on this engine to use a good quality water pump."
The water pump helps keep the engine cool by moving coolant around. If it fails, the engine can overheat, which can cause serious damage.
The water pump is a crucial component of an engine's cooling system, responsible for circulating coolant to maintain optimal operating temperatures. A high-quality water pump is essential to prevent overheating and ensure engine longevity.
Asin
"This is an Asin pump. It's not Subaru, but it's exactly same as OEM."
Asin makes car parts like water pumps. Their products are considered good quality and can be used instead of the original parts from the car's maker.
Asin is a manufacturer known for producing high-quality automotive parts, including water pumps. Using an Asin pump can be a reliable alternative to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.
hydraulic tensioner unit
"Down below that, below the timing belt is the hydraulic tensioner unit. This keeps the timing belt tight."
The hydraulic tensioner keeps the timing belt tight so it can work properly. If it fails, the belt might become loose and cause problems.
The hydraulic tensioner unit maintains the proper tension on the timing belt, ensuring it operates efficiently and prevents slippage.
oil seals
"And then those little brown rings are seals, oil seals for the cams, two for the camshaft intake cam, two for the exhaust cams and one for the front crankshaft seal."
Oil seals are like little rubber rings that keep oil from leaking out of the engine around the moving parts.
Oil seals prevent engine oil from leaking out of the engine, particularly around moving parts like the camshafts.
crankshaft pulley
"That's the crankshaft pulley right there, which basically drives the belt and the whole mechanism. And you can see some of those pulleys that we looked at."
The crankshaft pulley is a part of the engine that helps turn belts to power other parts of the car, like the battery charger and the cooling system. It's important for the engine to work properly.
The crankshaft pulley is a component that connects to the crankshaft and drives various belts in the engine, such as the serpentine belt. It plays a crucial role in powering accessories like the alternator and water pump.
crankshaft seal
"So the front crankshaft seal was actually starting to slip out of its bore, its position. That arrow points, you can see a silver edge to that seal."
The crankshaft seal is a part that keeps oil inside the engine. If it wears out, oil can leak out, which can cause serious problems for the engine.
The crankshaft seal is a critical component that prevents oil from leaking out of the engine where the crankshaft exits the engine block. If it fails, it can lead to significant oil loss and engine damage.
variable valve timing
"The sprocket is very large because that's variable valve timing on the intake side. So it makes for a complicated mechanism."
Variable valve timing is a system that changes when the engine's valves open and close. This helps the engine run better and use fuel more efficiently.
Variable valve timing (VVT) is a technology used in internal combustion engines to optimize performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions by adjusting the timing of the valve openings and closings based on engine speed and load.
impact gun
"They don't just blast off with an impact gun like you used to be able to do. You have to have holders that hold the pulleys in place."
An impact gun is a tool that helps you quickly loosen or tighten bolts. It's very powerful and makes it easier to work on cars.
An impact gun, also known as an impact wrench, is a power tool used to deliver high torque output with minimal effort. It is commonly used in automotive repair to quickly loosen or tighten bolts and nuts.
oil seal leak
"or something goes wrong like an oil seal leak, which would have been the thing that would happen first on this thing."
An oil seal leak is when oil leaks out of your engine because the seals that are supposed to keep it in place are damaged. This can cause problems if not fixed.
An oil seal leak refers to a failure in the seals that prevent engine oil from leaking out of the engine. This can lead to low oil levels and potential engine damage if not addressed promptly.
interference engine
"Fortunately, they were not interference engines. So if they broke, your car just died and you had to have a towed."
An interference engine is one where if the timing belt breaks, it can cause the parts inside the engine to hit each other and break. This is worse than just the engine stopping.
An interference engine is a type of engine where the pistons and valves occupy the same space in the cylinder at different times. If the timing belt fails in such an engine, the pistons can collide with the valves, causing significant damage.
head gaskets
"...Headgaskets have been an issue in a lot of these cars. They're not such a big deal on these dual overhead cam engines..."
Head gaskets are parts in an engine that keep oil and coolant separate. If they fail, it can cause serious problems for the engine.
Head gaskets are critical components that seal the engine block and cylinder head, preventing coolant and oil from mixing. Failure of the head gasket can lead to significant engine damage if not addressed promptly.
drive train
"Drive train is pretty near bulletproof. Wheel bearings wear out."
The drive train is the part of a car that helps it move by transferring power from the engine to the wheels. When someone says it's 'bulletproof', they mean it's very strong and unlikely to break.
The drive train refers to the components that deliver power from the engine to the wheels, including the transmission, driveshafts, and differentials. A bulletproof drive train indicates a highly reliable system that rarely fails.
wheel bearings
"Wheel bearings wear out. We do a lot of those brakes wear out, but that's normal on cars."
Wheel bearings are parts that help the wheels turn easily. They can wear out after a lot of driving, which is normal and means they might need to be changed.
Wheel bearings are components that allow the wheels to rotate smoothly with minimal friction. They can wear out over time, especially with regular use, and may need to be replaced periodically.
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