🔧 Water Pump - Replacement

The water pump on your Outback is driven by the engine timing components, so this repair requires removing the timing covers and servicing the timing belt area. The coolant will need to be drained, and the timing system must be set back up exactly or the engine can be damaged.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 6-10 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work only on a completely cold engine.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal before starting.
• Coolant is toxic; keep it away from pets and children.
• The timing belt system must not be rotated out of position.
• Use jack stands if you raise the front of the vehicle.
• Replace the coolant with the correct Subaru-spec long-life coolant.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Serpentine belt tool
• Drain pan
• Funnel
• Gasket scraper
• Plastic trim tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Pliers
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Timing belt locking tool (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket - Qty: 1
• Timing belt - Qty: 1
• Timing belt tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing belt idler pulleys - Qty: 3
• Thermostat - Qty: 1
• Thermostat gasket or seal - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (Subaru long-life coolant) - Qty: 2-3 gallons mixed as required
• Accessory drive belt - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool fully before opening the cooling system.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
• Raise the front of the vehicle only if needed for access.
• This repair requires timing belt alignment; keep the crankshaft and camshaft marks in sync.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan under the radiator.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver or pliers to loosen the radiator drain if equipped, or remove the lower radiator hose with pliers.
• Drain the coolant fully.
• Keep the coolant off painted surfaces.

Step 2: Remove the engine covers and accessory belt

• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the engine cover and any upper covers blocking access.
• Use a serpentine belt tool to relieve tension and remove the accessory drive belt.
• Inspect the belt; replace it if cracked or glazed.

Step 3: Remove timing covers

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the timing cover bolts.
• Remove the upper and lower timing covers carefully with a plastic trim tool.
• Do not force the covers; the plastic tabs can break.

Step 4: Set the engine to timing marks

• Use a breaker bar and 14mm socket to rotate the crankshaft clockwise only.
• Align the crankshaft and camshaft timing marks exactly.
• Install a timing belt locking tool (specialty) if available to hold position.
• Double-check the marks before removal.

Step 5: Remove the timing belt

• Use a 12mm socket or the correct socket for the tensioner fasteners.
• Slowly release the timing belt tensioner.
• Remove the timing belt from the pulleys.
• Do not rotate the camshafts or crankshaft once the belt is off.

Step 6: Remove the water pump

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the water pump bolts.
• Pull the water pump straight off the engine.
• Scrape the old gasket material from the mounting surface with a gasket scraper.
• Clean the surface until it is smooth and dry.

Step 7: Install the new water pump

• Install the new water pump with the new gasket.
• Hand-start all bolts before tightening.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the water pump bolts evenly to 12 N·m (9 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the pump sits flat against the engine.

Step 8: Install timing components and belt

• If replacing the belt, tensioner, and idlers, install them now with the correct sockets.
• Route the timing belt exactly on the marks.
• Use the timing belt locking tool (specialty) to help hold alignment if needed.
• Tighten timing component fasteners to the vehicle-specific torque values in the service sequence.
• Recheck every mark before releasing tension.

Step 9: Reassemble the front of the engine

• Reinstall the timing covers with a 10mm socket.
• Reinstall the accessory belt using the serpentine belt tool.
• Reinstall the engine cover.

Step 10: Refill coolant and bleed the system

• Close the radiator drain.
• Use a funnel to refill with the correct coolant mix.
• Start the engine and let it reach operating temperature with the heater on high.
• Top off coolant as air bleeds out.
• Install the radiator cap after all bubbles stop.

---

✅ After Repair

• Check for coolant leaks around the water pump, hoses, and drain.
• Verify the engine warms up normally and the heater blows hot air.
• Listen for belt noise or abnormal ticking from the timing area.
• Recheck coolant level after the first heat cycle and again the next day.
• If any warning lights appear, scan for codes before driving far.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,200-$2,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$600 (parts only)

You Save: $700-$1,400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 6-10 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.