Timing belt replacement: Subaru Legacy 2.0 (EJ20)

🧭 Before you start

Fits: platform codes 2.0, 16V

• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Special tools named: locking pin

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 56 workshop diagrams for EJ20

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. Disconnect the battery
2. Disconnect the fan electrical connections
3. Align the timing marks
4. Check the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, wear and oil contamination
5. Slowly turn the exhaust camshaft anti-clockwise

6. Slowly turn the inlet camshaft clockwise
7. Vehicles with CVT:
8. Remove the radiator fan bolts
9. Remove the ancillary drive belts
10. Remove the crankshaft pulley
11. Remove the timing belt covers
12. Remove the engine mounting bracket
13. Remove the timing belt cover
14. Remove the timing belt guide plates
15. Special tool:
16. Use the special tool
17. Remove the idler pulleys
18. Remove the automatic tensioner
19. Remove the timing belt
20. Slowly compress the tensioner
21. Do not exceed
22. Push the plunger in until the locking pin fits

Installation and checks

23. Refit the idler pulleys
24. Fit the timing belt in the sequence shown
25. Fit the idler pulley
26. Refit the timing belt guide plates
27. Reconnect the battery
28. Align the timing marks

Other SUBARU procedures

• 2.0 non-turbo SOHC Impreza my01, Forester my03, Legacy my04
• Legacy EJ20/25 CVT
• Subaru Justy M13, M15 M13A/M15A timing chain replacement
• Subaru 2.0 timing belt replacement
• Subaru Forester 2.5 Turbo DOHC EJ255 timing belt replacement
• Subaru Legacy 2.5_SOHC_Non-turbo EJ25 timing belt replacement
• Subaru 2.5 EJ25/EJ251 timing belt replacement
• Subaru Impreza Turbo 2.0 EJ205 cylinder head removal & torque
• Subaru Impreza non turbo gearbox removal & installation
• Geometry, turbo