EJ20 timing marks?!?

[Lumpyguy]

Ok here is my problem, I have an 04 EJ20 motor that ran great and just wanted to replace the timing belt for maintinence reasons.

lined marks as per manual, marked old belt, covers,pullies and crank.

removed belt and checked paint marks with paint marks on new belt, good

checked teeth count, good same on both belts

installed like the manual says and everything lines up great! all marks and lines on new belt.

I pull the pin!

rotate clockwise a few turns and re align!

here is the problem, crank at 12 oclock and marks lined up on sprocket to cover(arrow at 3 oclock), RH cams line up perfect! now the LH cams seem off by 1/2 a tooth on each sprocket to rear cover marks and the double marks at the 6 and 12 oclock position look to be out a 1/2 each or a 1 tooth total!!!

I have repeated this 5 times with the same result! is this common to see this, I have never seen this on any other timing belt?!?

please any help would be great it driving me nuts!

Thanks

[RM1SepEx]

I used this guide, also avail as a video on youtube

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1794043

[Lumpyguy]

Thnaks, I followed that one and his video on youtube. with the same results. I am finding mixed reviews on other post on sites that having it off a bit like mine is ok?!? I dont see how this is right. I have never done a belt on one of these cars before. I could move the Left and right pully off the belt marks 1 tooth so that when it is rotated the marks line up. I am guessing the pulley and cover marks are more important than the paint marks on the belt

[gwarden]

If you turn it in one direction I think it takes many revolutions for it all to line up again

[Lumpyguy]

yes it does I am not worried about the marks on the belt but the pully and rear cover, If all the marks line up when assembled how is it just the Left cams seem off?!?

[philly15]

It will be fine, if you really want to know subaru allows 2.5 teeth difference until you hit valves. That left side never lines up perfect. I've done quite a few wrx timing belts. I would rotate the belt through 3 or 4 times and double check tension and you should be good.

[JeromeS13]

There's a chance that the block/heads have been decked. That's what these are for:

http://www.licmotorsports.com/blog/2010/12/31/lic-adjustable-timing-idlers

[longislandwrx]

so you rotated a few times, crank a few times right? If it was right when you released the tensioner it is good. Use a ratchet to turn it over my hand a few more times if you want, it's not going to hit, you are fine.

[Lumpyguy]

so I re did it again and turned the crank till the marks on the cams all line up on both sides and the crank is off to the right by 1/2-3/4 of a tooth. it is mixed messages on other subaru sites. alot of guys say its fine. I will go with this and see what it does. it will be sometime before it get to try it as I am preping car parts for the 818's arrival the end of Nov.

[longislandwrx]

post some pics if you are still concerned.

[Turn In Concepts]

Normal. That's what they all do. Don't worry about it.

Tony