Missing upper belt guide on Manual 2.5

[grey07outback]

Hi All,

First time poster on here - I've got a MY08 2.5i outback and am almost finished on the 250k service - timing belt replacement.

New belt is one and as I'm following the FSM doing everything back up I've noticed the upper belt guide - the one that sits above the crankshaft pulley is missing from my car. I definitely didn't remove it myself and the last cambelt (125k km) was completed at Mornington Subaru.

Wondering if I've just been lucky that nothing has gone wrong with the car or if this upper guide isn't fully needed.

Just after some opinions and advice - need to get the car back on the road by Sunday night as I need it for work on Monday morning........

Thanks in advance.

[Dropz]

Some Subaru's have them, some don't.

If you've been ok this far you should be fine. But it is possible that Subaru didn't put it back on because if it isn't positioned exactly then it rubs on the timing belt.

If you do decide to get one I've found the best way to space it out is to use a zip tie. Lay the ziptie along the belt and fit the guide over that.

[grey07outback]

Thanks - Awesome idea on the zip tie - will go without for now!

[grey07outback]

Have put it all back together minus the upper belt guide and will see how it travels.

[grey07outback]

3000 km since the change and all is fine without the upper belt guide.

[grey07outback]

Well just hit the 275,000km mark and no issues with the timing belt. Got the thrust bearing making a noise now though.....replaced it when I did the clutch at 240k.......no happy 35k and getting a slight whirring noise.