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Old 06-13-2017, 08:26 PM   #26
gsrcrxsi
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Ok so the TCK328N kit showed up.

Long story short, it still has the Chinese mfg for the cogged pulley. And I'm assuming Taiwan for the small pulley which is labeled "GMB", but still OEM Koyo on the 2 large smooth rollers and most importantly OEM NTN on the tensioner. And Gates USA belt of course.

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*note, my small bearing came damaged, small knick in the bearing edge. Will be speaking with the seller about it.
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Old 06-21-2017, 08:56 PM   #27
rexxx161
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Man if I had a dollar for every time I've opened up brand new parts and they have been damaged during transit, were made incorrectly, or were the wrong part in the wrong box......always inspect and compare new components with parts being replaced.
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Old 06-21-2017, 09:00 PM   #28
gsrcrxsi
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The seller replaced the entire kit and even paid return shipping by sending me a label. No problem at all.
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Old 06-11-2018, 06:34 PM   #29
Charlie-III
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My Frikkin second bearing failure!!!
This was on the "cogged" guide lower left of the water pump.
Yet another "NSK/Japan" bearing.
Jump on China all you want, I have now had 2 Japan bearing failures.
Likely Gates will have me pound salt again.
Bearing was tight when I had to remove the TB for other work.
About 1.5 years service, likely less than 20K miles.

Sheesh.
Same customer I did a Gates kit on. Both I caught the failure BEFORE the belt broke.
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Old 12-23-2018, 01:44 PM   #30
Backie44
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Default Subaru Timing Belt Tensioner

Yes, I had component failure. About 18 months ago, I purchased and installed the Gates timing Belt Kit. Being new to this Timing Belt controversy, I was unaware of its downfalls. After installation I was happy as a clam. Slight noise at initial startup. Over the next couple of weeks, the noise was back to its original clacking volume.
Some internet research, lead me to people telling of the Made In China failures, and to correct the problem, they purchased the Factory Subaru part. Well, so did I. Problem solved, for the next 80,000 miles. Time for me to pay the piper once again. No more made in China engine components for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by IsActuallyFoxBodyGuy View Post
Well as I'm sure anyone who has looked into replacing their timing belt has discovered, gates has switched their component sourcing to China. While not having the stellar reputation of Japanese precision, china is capable of quality machine work, especially out of Taiwan, its all about what specs they are contracted to work under. Don't get me wrong though, I do wish gates had kept the O.E. supplier/ quality.

What I'm looking for is actual proof that these components will fail or have a reduced service life. If anyone has had these components going out on them or anything of the sort please share. I had used the TCK328 on a customers vehicle before I realized they had switched suppliers, and it was only when researching for my own car that I came across all this controversy.

I have heard of the tensioners failing, but I have never had it verified that proper bleeding procedure was followed. On the LGT I had serviced I had made sure to bleed the tensioner very thoroughly (hey I don't want that blood on my hands!)

Anyway, just hoping to get some more info on this whole debacle as my google-fu only lead to people being mad that they are Chinese parts, but none actually stating outright manufacturer faulted component failure.


Thanks!
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Old 12-29-2018, 06:37 PM   #31
Riz98
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Got my Aisin timing belt kit with water pump today from Amazon and everything looks great. Idlers are from Koyo, NSK, and NTN all made in Japan. NTN tensioner looks identical to the stock unit also made in Japan. Water pump is also made in Japan. I ordered part number TKF-005 for my 08 Forester XT. I would highly suggest anyone looking for a kit to buy to use Aisin.
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Old 02-21-2019, 11:41 AM   #32
wangless
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Back in August 2014 I had the timing belt maintenance job done on my car with 105K. Last Friday (Feb 2019), with 185K, my timing belt snapped, leaving me stranded on the freeway and resulted in catastrophic engine damage with bent valves and no compression in 3 cylinders. The shop showed me the belt and there are no signs of wear, cracks or even stress marks. The mechanic noted that the top of tensioner appears to have been leaking oil and may have been the source of failure...

I'm trying to dig up my paper files to see which shop performed the maintenance. I'm going to tow the car back home in the next couple of days for further investigation and start the part out process.
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Old 02-21-2019, 01:46 PM   #33
CovertRussian
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OEM tensioner was leaking oil by 90k miles on my 2012 2.5i Outback, it was only 3 years old at the time of replacement (end of 2015).

I think going above 90k miles even with 100% oem parts is just testing your luck.
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Old 02-22-2019, 02:33 PM   #34
Computron1234
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Well I'm hoping I don't get any problems as I literally just bought the gates kit because of the reliability ratings.
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Old 03-08-2019, 08:48 PM   #35
Tigershark69
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Default same problem 01 outback

same thing happened to me , except belt slipped a notch while turning crank. To my amazement pin went right back into tensioner. so there was basically no tension at all from unit looks exactly the same as yours ,old one and new one. Only difference is old one came from gates kit in 2013 new one came from contitech kit pro series PLUS kit which is supposed to have 100 K warranty on it. Purchased from rock auto, and there were no instructions about bleeding anything !!! Seems like it didn't matter in your case anyway. My main question is can I use the old style tensioner and bracket like you did on a 2001 2.5 liter outback. Seems like a better design. I'm sure they were changed to save money by subaru. Also found out after the threads were stripped on the old bracket subaru has a new bracket that replaces the old one . Part number 13156AA052 replaces 13156AA051. It's heavier built thicker mont casting and stronger glide pin .The parts guy at subaru didn't no about it, found on youtube. anyway old cigar style design is better. Still can't believe they design a motor to have catastrophic failure if a belt breaks, a bolt comes loose, bad tensioner etc. etc. anyway thanks for your help....car has 291,000 miles on when belt snapped at 91K, old tensioner had oil leaking by pin which I'm guessing was the cause of failure. Just redid heads don't want this again ..Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by caterpill View Post
Bad experience with a Gates TCK254A here.

Purchased and installed one of their kits before as they *used* to consist of quality (read: decent) components.

It was time to replace my t-belt again so I figured i'd go with the same product, expecting the same quality. Guess not.

As posted by others, an unusual bleeding procedure / disclaimer sheet is included with the newer kits which i've never seen before. This kind of threw me off at first, seemed odd.

Long story short, even after a proper bleeding procedure and double check before driving, my test drive resulted in bent valves. My gripe is that it is almost impossible to prove that installer error is not a factor. (ie: gates "says" you didn't bleed the tensioner). I'm surprised that it failed because this was installed on an EJ22 SOHC, nothing fancy and basic. Da phuk. No turbo, high comp pistons, titanium valvesprings, hot cams, Bee-R Rev limiter, nothing like that.

Just noticed that the new tensioner doesn't have an indication of where it's made so it's probably made in somewhere other than Japan. Hmm.. BANGLADESH perhaps?!? (New tensioner is on top, notice no labels) I'll say that the pulley bearing is of good quality though.




Ah well. Gates you bastards cost me like 6months of beer money and about a gallon of salty sweat. Arrrgggh!

Anyway because of all this I decided to go back to the "old" style tensioner. Works for group N cars, should work fine for my daily. :P


(Pic courtesy of SubaruOutback.()rg )
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Old 03-24-2019, 03:29 PM   #36
fishman
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Default Gates TCK328N

I just received this kit from Rockauto to do a first timing service on my 04 WRX 2.0 with 102,000 miles. The kit included:

-Gates T328 Belt (shows made in Japan)
-Smooth Idlers (with Koyo bearing)
-Toothed Idler (no markings on the bearing)
-Small idler (GMB bearing marking)
-Tensioner: Definitely not NTN unit (not NTN or made in Japan on the housing) but has NTN bearing.

I'm debating whether or not I should change the belt tensioner if this is likely a Chinese part. If I do, definitely I will follow the bleed procedure they mention and make sure the tensioner is returning the piston before firing anything up.

In hindsight, I kind of wish I got the AISIN kit which comes w/ water pump. That should have all OE type items as far as I know. But in Canada that added nearly $200.
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Old 03-24-2019, 04:41 PM   #37
Charlie-III
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fishman View Post
I just received this kit from Rockauto to do a first timing service on my 04 WRX 2.0 with 102,000 miles. The kit included:

-Gates T328 Belt (shows made in Japan)
-Smooth Idlers (with Koyo bearing)
-Toothed Idler (no markings on the bearing)
-Small idler (GMB bearing marking)
-Tensioner: Definitely not NTN unit (not NTN or made in Japan on the housing) but has NTN bearing.

I'm debating whether or not I should change the belt tensioner if this is likely a Chinese part. If I do, definitely I will follow the bleed procedure they mention and make sure the tensioner is returning the piston before firing anything up.

In hindsight, I kind of wish I got the AISIN kit which comes w/ water pump. That should have all OE type items as far as I know. But in Canada that added nearly $200.
OK, you bought a Gates kit that ends in "N"..... good.
Based on age, you are WWWAAAAAYYYYYYY overdue for a belt change. Pretty much any "rubber" part has a miles AND age life.....you're overdue.

My only Gates failures recently were "Japan parts" on guides for timing belt.
Yes, do a couple proper bleeds of the belt tensioner before install, this is new in the last couple years.
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Old 03-24-2019, 05:03 PM   #38
fishman
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Thanks. I realize it's overdue (way overdue as you say). I did inspect the belt last weekend, taking the front covers off and the belt condition and timing position all looked really good, inspecting every inch pretty closely.

But point well taken. It'll get changed soon, Thanks!
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Old 03-27-2019, 03:23 PM   #39
msg_f91
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Has anyone tried the Roger Clark kit as an alternative. I've seen it on Flat Iron, kind of pricey, 298 without a water pump, but I was thinking of getting it for peace of mind on a timing kit, then getting one of the 02-03 water pumps. Everything I've read so far says that style of pump flows better. I've checked the Aisin kits but I've seen a few things where people say the pump included caused their engine to run 10 degrees hotter based on OBDII data logging. Also has anyone seen the Aisin kit without the water pump?? Amazon and all the other places I've checked only has the full kits. I would not mind the Aisin kit with the 02-03 pump.
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Old 03-29-2019, 10:51 PM   #40
lentini66
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I have used the Gates and I haven't had any failures.
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Old 04-02-2019, 12:17 AM   #41
Exit 37
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I just stumble on this thread while doing my timing belt job. I double check my tensioner on the Gates TCKWP328 kit, and the tensioner pulley is made in Canada while all else is made in China. What I currently have on the engine is made in Japan with a Mitsuboshi belt. I haven't seen much, if anything, about the Canadian tensioner pulley. Has anyone had one in a kit they've installed?
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Old 04-09-2019, 04:00 PM   #42
westlord
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Damn. I wish I had stumbled on this thread a few years ago. I used a basic Gates timing belt kit on Rallysport Direct, and the belt shredded within a couple thousand miles. Luckily my mechanic saw it (and took full responsibility for it!... oops) when I went in again to get my injectors changed before it completely broke.
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Old 11-15-2019, 04:58 PM   #43
02hybridwrx
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Best bet is to go Aisin and stay away from gates. I got a gates kit ending in "N". All Japan bearings, but the only problem is that the one smooth roller bearing sounds like **** when I roll it in my hand. It's brand new and sounds pretty dry in there. Pretty annoying
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Old 07-21-2020, 07:16 PM   #44
imbugging
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie-III View Post
OK, you bought a Gates kit that ends in "N"..... good.

Based on age, you are WWWAAAAAYYYYYYY overdue for a belt change. Pretty much any "rubber" part has a miles AND age life.....you're overdue.



My only Gates failures recently were "Japan parts" on guides for timing belt.

Yes, do a couple proper bleeds of the belt tensioner before install, this is new in the last couple years.


What’s the difference between the Gates kit that ends in a A and AN
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Old 09-16-2020, 06:03 PM   #45
Scargod
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msg_f91 View Post
Has anyone tried the Roger Clark kit as an alternative. I've seen it on Flat Iron, kind of pricey, 298 without a water pump, but I was thinking of getting it for peace of mind on a timing kit, then getting one of the 02-03 water pumps. Everything I've read so far says that style of pump flows better. ...
Any version of the water pump with the cast, shrouded impeller will perform better, but is a moot point if you don't do high RPM's or race. What is nice is the Subaru water pump (2002-2004 WRX, #21111AA026) eliminates the water inlet from the "oil cooler"/heat exchanger if you chose to delete it. At that point you should be running an aftermarket oil cooler.
As to the RCM tensioner it isn't need unless you want to turn very high RPM's. It is a beefy bracket and the idler addresses the belt at a different angle and the cylinder being longer may make it perform better or last longer. I have one for a race engine build. It is supposed to better prevent belt oscillations at high belt speeds.
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Old 09-17-2020, 11:49 AM   #46
bluevelvet77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 02hybridwrx View Post
Best bet is to go Aisin and stay away from gates. I got a gates kit ending in "N". All Japan bearings, but the only problem is that the one smooth roller bearing sounds like **** when I roll it in my hand. It's brand new and sounds pretty dry in there. Pretty annoying

That was my best guess.
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Old 09-26-2020, 02:37 AM   #47
LLuis199
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Question 2014 WRX Hatchback

I need to do a Timing belt maintenance because I've passed the 100k miles but I've been reading mixed reviews on the Gates timing belt kit, should I just go with OEM? One shop told me they do Gates kit with oem thermostat.
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Old 09-29-2020, 06:34 PM   #48
stoich68912
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LLuis199 View Post
I need to do a Timing belt maintenance because I've passed the 100k miles but I've been reading mixed reviews on the Gates timing belt kit, should I just go with OEM? One shop told me they do Gates kit with oem thermostat.

Pay some extra for all OEM if you want peace of mind I guess. Now a little over 10K/3yr on the gates kit and all seems well for my 07. I've used plenty of gates timing belt kits on other makes without issue, so gates hasn't lost my trust yet...
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Old 11-13-2020, 12:44 AM   #49
Jp925
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Hoping to get some feedback here on NTN tensioners.

I bought an Aisin kit for my 06 STi. The tensioner has failed about 584 miles after being on the car. It threw my driver intake came 180 degrees out, but the tensioner still has tension and is quite hard to compress upon removal. I did not bleed this tensioner nor was I instructed to by their instructions. The tensioner came in an NTN box, but has no markings on the casting. Has anyone else experienced a failure like this?
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Old 11-13-2020, 02:45 AM   #50
supermarkus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jp925 View Post
Hoping to get some feedback here on NTN tensioners.

I bought an Aisin kit for my 06 STi. The tensioner has failed about 584 miles after being on the car. It threw my driver intake came 180 degrees out, but the tensioner still has tension and is quite hard to compress upon removal. I did not bleed this tensioner nor was I instructed to by their instructions. The tensioner came in an NTN box, but has no markings on the casting. Has anyone else experienced a failure like this?
Hmmm. My Aisin kit came with a little note to bleed the tensioner. NTN are pretty much all I've used and I'm on my second Aisin kit on this car.
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