I live in the U.S.A. I've been checking out the older Subaru Domingos that are in Canada (slim chance of obtaining one!). From what I've read at this forum a broken timing belt usually leads to bent valves? That is usually the case? My question is, can a good local mechanic do scheduled changing of the timing belt without having worked on one before? I imagine the mechanic would need a service manual. I realize the Domingo 1.0L and 1.2L engines might be significantly different from the smaller Subaru Sambar engine
I'm not familiar with the Subie Domingo but for what it's worth I feel that the belt should be changed upon purchase whether an "interference" engine or not as you don't know when it was done and would preclude a breakdown in either case. If you can find an old MECHANIC who understands engines and not one of the newer breed of tech/parts changers then he should be able to understand and do a belt change without the aid of a service manual. A service manual will help to find the marks and such but if he knows he should be able to do without. Just be prepared to pay for some extra time so he can configure it. As an example of what I am saying I once had to set up an engine for an old jeep and had to use a timing gear for the camshaft from a different engine family with different markings as there was none available for that particular engine. Fred
Hi Fred, Thanks for your advice. It sounds like you've worked on a few engines! If I can't find a Subaru Domingo then the Subaru Sambar or Honda Acty would be an alternative, then your advice would hold true to those models also. Thanks!! Noel
The first "sticky" at the top of the sambar index has some info and to give you an idea of what is involved. I had to go down to post #7 before I found a link that worked. Also the translation is something you have to work through, kind of funny in places. Fred
Just read the timing belt R&R. Even with the crazy translation I could get the gist of it. If I were younger I'd attempt it myself but as you said, it looks like something a competent mechanic could do. This puts my mind at ease about purchasing one. Now, to find one of those critters! Thanks!
Old thread I know but for anyone searching this subject i know for fact the en07 in ks4 is non interference. My timing belt broke from the last owner not changing the water pump and the pump seizing, new belt and pump and it was fine. Sambar are one of the very few non interference kei truck
Trick: Cut the old belt in half the long way, still on the engine. Cut and remove the inner half. Slide front half to rear, slide new belt on until it pushes the remaining old half off the rear, cut and remove. Re-tension/done.
Man, I wish you had listed that trick before I changed my timing belt. Would have saved me some time.
I made a guide on how to change the timing belt on a 1990 Sambar (and water pump, crank seal, and cam seal). But it's not stickied https://minitrucktalk.com/threads/how-to-timing-belt-replacement.15459/ Installing the belt was easy compared to getting at it.
The easiest way on en07 is to take off the wheel, unbolt the bottom bolt holding the right rear shock and unbolt the brace bar underneath. After that it's just unbolting the shields and timing cover to get to everything, you can pivot the shock out of the way I have that English orange repair manual for sambar and for the water pump it says you have to remove the engine, no idea why it says that because you can replace it as is