BELT CONFUSION

[puggle]

Updated 23/02/2018.
For many years I have used trip handouts for MUST things to do before trips. E.g. take spare belts (A/C, alternator, power steering etc.). These days one ‘serpentine’ ribbed belt drives all the accessories on the front of the engine. Those handouts advise fitting the ‘spare’ belt/s to prove it is the right one/s, and keep the previous as spare/s. That way you know they are legitimate. All logical, but recently (Jan/Feb 2018), particularly where a single ‘serpentine’ belt is used, I have seen four (4) vehicles carrying the incorrect spare belt. So far we have found 7 different belts - just for Foresters!
The belt adjuster has been replaced by a spring-loaded idler pulley to maintain tension at about 120 psi. There is little movement in that pulley which means the belt needs to be VERY close to the one for your car, not necessarily by model, series, month or year.
Scheduled replacement is 160,000k but check your owners handbook.

PHOTOS - Please scroll or click to get full view. Copy and print if need be.

Find Numbers Procedure:
A second person can be helpful
Do not drop anything as it will ‘disappear’ on the engine splash tray or sump guard below
Illuminate the front of engine
Remove the belt cover. There is a 10mm headed bolt on the LHS (passenger side), and then -
Carefully pull the cover up (fragile spigot in grommet) near the RHS (Driver side) end of the cover, keeping it at the same fitted flat angle
Slowly turn the engine over clockwise with a 22mm socket and ratchet bar on the crankshaft pulley bolt when in neutral/park. Not much room so watch your knuckles!
Keep turning slowly, and watch with a torch as the numbers may be worn/faint
Hopefully it will be ‘xPKxxxx’. The leading single number is the number of grooves, and the trailing four numbers are the length of the belt in mm (all critical). A Subaru belt will be 9 numerals. See my original belt photo with both
Remember to remove the 22mm socket & bar
Record the part number. NOTE: My original Subaru # is 6PK1960 [now the spare]; but today I fitted a 6PK1955 (Dayco brand) which is 5mm shorter).

Buy Belt:
For a Subaru dealer use your VIN number (a Subaru belt will be 9 numerals). From auto retailers use the .PK…. number from your own actual used belt, caution with their catalogue. If possible take your previously fitted belt with you to compare the exact length. NOTE: My original Subaru # is 6PK1960 [now the spare]; but today 23/02/18, I fitted a 6PK1955 (Dayco brand) which is 5mm shorter).

Remove belt Procedure:
Here is a web video which should help. (Ignore the LHD USA stuff): https://youtu.be/1EG8FR9riRk
A second person can be helpful
Do not drop anything as it will ‘disappear’ on the engine splash tray or sump guard below
Illuminate the front of engine
Remember, or photo the course of the belt - it is indeed a serpentine close to 2 metres long. Photo & diagram attached
Use a 14mm socket and bar on the idler pulley belt nut, going clockwise. It will not turn, but ‘pivot’ to the left. Hold it in the furthest it will go to (not far), and hold it there
Gently remove the belt from the top RHS (driver side) pulley, then ease tension on the socket which will allow the idler to move to the LHS and stop. Slip the belt off all the remaining grooved and flat pulleys
Remove the 14mm & 22mm socket & bar.


Fit Belt Procedure:
Note: this is assuming you are not approaching the service limit of the one already fitted. If it is nearing the use-by kms, fit the new one and carry the old (or another new one as spare)
A second person can be helpful
Do not drop anything as it will ‘disappear’ on the engine splash tray or sump guard below
Compare the original length to the new belt - hold them against each other from a door handle. Make sure the new belt is the same length as the one you took off
Use the old belt, and keep the new as spare (this is assuming you are not approaching the service limit of the one fitted)
Turn the belt so the numbers face you and can be read
Refer to your photo and attached Photo & diagram to follow the serpentine path
Starting from the bottom LHS, install the belt onto all wheels except the top RHS
Again use the 14mm socket and bar on the idler pulley, going clockwise. Hold at the furthest position it will go to (not far to the RHS), and gently eased the last of the belt onto the top RHS grooved pulley. You may have to take up any slack in the belt to do so
Be particular careful that the belt fits in all the pulley grooves, and again ease the socket tension. NOTE: My original Subaru # is 6PK1960 [now the spare]; but today 23/02/18, I fitted a 6PK1955 (Dayco brand) which is 5mm shorter).
Make sure sockets and bars are removed
Start the engine and watch that all rotates smoothly.

Thanks to member Jason Moore for starting a ‘Spares Compatibility’ list for all models which triggered this item.

Feedback welcome through any committee member.

Regards, Ian Johnson.