My Subaru Legacy twin scroll timing belt broke. Engine has been rebuilt new valves etc now the engine will not start because the variable valve timing is wrong and neither me or the mechanic can find any information on how to fix this problem. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. Car has been off the road for 7 months so really peed off. Engine is an EJ20y if that helps.

 

Calling it VVT is your first problem.

https://www.comeanddriveit.com/engin...avcs-explained

https://iwireusa.com/blogs/iwire-uni...-2002-2005-wrx

 

It's not meant as sarcasm.
If you don't know how the system works/operates the cams, then you can't diagnose it.

Is it a UK or JDM car and what makes you think it's the cams that are the problem?
What diagnosis have you done so far? Your original post doesn't shed any light.

 

Car is a Japanese import, mechanic has told me that it’s a problem with the avcs timing as he used to work at Subaru I think I believe him.

 

Usually a problem with the AVCS is one or more of the avcs oil solenoid/s stick, or have a lack of oil supply, or a cam sprocket/avcs acuator has jammed due to debris.

 

Engine has been out of the car and new valves, heads rebuilt just won’t start tries to but won’t. Anyway seems like a lost cause. Thanks for your input. Going to the garage tomorrow to have a talk with them and see what they say.

 

the AVCS can't be 'wrong' with the engine switched off as such, as without oil pressure they simply return to their rest / idle position - the issue may be related to how they were removed from the cams when the engine was stripped as they can be damaged / broken and then potentially don't align correctly or its not correctly 'timed' in the first place??
the basic timing alignment etc is the same for all EJ series cars and in your particular case shares the "quad " AVCS arrangement with the later (MY08>) UK 2.5 WRX STi cars

 

How do you align the timing? Don’t think there is any damage. I didn’t strip the engine mechanic did that and he is ex Subaru so he should know what he is doing. If the car won’t start the avcs will always be right? So why won’t it start?

 

there are various timing marks on the pulley's & covers that aid alignment -
you would hope if he is indeed a Subaru mechanic that he has set it up correctly albeit it is common for people to mix up some of the marks.......

 

Guy marked everything before taking apart so there should not be any issues there. Clutching at straws a bit, even asked if they put fresh fuel in it as its been sitting for 7 months with fuel in tank (try anything).

 

you dont need to mark anything, funnily enough the factory does that for you............?

in general when the engine has been apart / removed from the car (presuming its all assembled correctly) then its either not timed up properly, the timing gear(s) have been damaged or the wiring is not connected correctly.........

if it ran previously it will again

 

The marks are not that clear so best to mark them so they are clearer especially on older cars. Unfortunately I don’t have access to the car as it is in the garage workshop. As they don’t seem able to fix the problem I might have to take it somewhere else that can fix it. Thanks for your input, if you come up with a fix for the problem let me know so I can pass it on to the garage.

 

without the car in our workshop then we are second guessing issues............??
have tried to assist with ideas above

as for the marks not being clear, maybe on other cars but Subaru are very good in general and we have simply used their factory markings for 20years++

 

Unfortunately your workshop is probably too far away. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and will be asking the garage owner some questions from it.

 

Could the not starting be due to old petrol? Car has been sitting for over 7 months with fuel in the tank and I read E10 fuel becomes unstable quite quickly 3 to 6 months.

 

generally not an issue, it 'should' still fire / run but IMO wouldn't be using it aggressively........

 

Okay, Thanks.