AISIN TKF-004 Engine Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump - Compatible with Select Saab 9-2X Subaru Baja, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback

I used this kit to replace the timing belt on a 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 5 Speed Manual Transmission. It is the correct fitment for my vehicle. It is replacing an aftermarket Gates timing belt kit. Overall it's a better set of parts than the Gates kit in my opinion. I'm very happy with this kit and honestly glad that I saved the few hundred to get this over the OEM Subaru kit for hundreds more. I did purchase an OEM Subaru Thermostat, which included a replacement thermostat gasket, but the quality of the OEM and AISIN T-Stat gasket were identical. This kit doesn't include a thermostat, so be sure to purchase one when doing your timing belt. Everything in this kit is as close to OEM quality as you can possibly get without biting the bullet and spending hundreds more for a package that says Subaru on it. The only non-OEM manufactured item in this kit is the water pump and the timing belt (depending on the model year of your car - Mitsuboshi has made OEM belts for Subaru, but not for all models). I've had it installed for 10,000mi with no issues and the install was great because everything fit exactly as it should. What the kit included: 1. Mitsuboshi Timing Belt. Made in Thailand. All timing marks clearly labeled. Accurate. Belt is of good quality. I cannot speak to the durability of this belt beyond 10,000 mi. But I am very happy with it and it *appears* as good as a Gates belt. Mitsuboshi is the OEM supplier for Subaru belts. 2. AISIN Water Pump and metal gasket Made in Japan.. The Water pump is cast aluminum. AISIN is the OEM provider for many Japanese manufacturers. Particularly Nissan. I'm not aware of them making the original Subaru water pumps; however the fitment is perfect. The impeller is stamped. And the finish of the impeller was much better than the Gates one I had removed. Fewer rough edges. My vehicle had an issue with overheating on hot summer days and this problem is now gone (I'm not sure if it was the new water pump or the new OEM Subaru thermostat). 3. NTN Hydraulic Belt Tensioner Made in Japan. OEM manufacturer for Subaru. Blue rubber bearing seal. You may need to prime this per the included instructions. You may need hand clamps, a vice grip, or a press to do this correctly. I did not need to do this because mine came with an adequate amount of hydraulic pressure, but priming a hydraulic pump is always a good idea. 4. NTN Small Idler bearing. Made in Japan. OEM manufacturer for original part. Blue rubber bearing seal. 5. 2x Koyo idler pulleys. Made in Japan. Black rubber bearing seal. OEM manufacturer for original part. 6. Koyo crankshaft sprocket bearing. Made in Japan. OEM manufacturer for the original part. 7. Water pump L shaped gasket. Great quality, no country of origin labeled but fit perfectly. 8. Thermostat gasket. Great quality, no country of origin labeled. Appeared identical to OEM. I purchased a Subaru thermostat and a Subaru thermostat gasket because I believed it to be the source of some overheating. I am not sure if it was the old water pump (Gates) or the old thermostat (Gates), but this timing belt kit paired with a Subaru Thermostat fixed it. Honestly, even if you're not trying to save money, it seems like a waste of money not to purchase this kit over even a Subaru OEM kit. The quality of the components is top notch and the manufacturers are the same ones who are sending their parts to Subaru. Don't pay hundreds of dollars for a sticker with a Subaru logo on it. This kit is good to go.

This kit was a direct fit for my 2004 Subaru WRX with the EJ205 2.0L turbo motor, with a high-quality timing belt, all the idler pulleys, the belt tensioner, and the water pump. You will, however, want to buy a separate thermostat, as one is not included in this kit (arguably, you can change the thermostat at any time, as the thermostat housing is generally accessible without needing to take any of the timing covers or components off). Also, the kit does not include a gap gauge tool to gap the distance between the timing belt and the belt guide above the cam, so you'll need your own feeler gauges or other way to properly set the gap (0.02 to 0.06 inches according to the Aisin manual). The only special tool you might want is one to hold the crankshaft pulley while you remove and reinstall its bolt. There are ways to remove and install this without the tool (using an extra pulley belt folded over and wrapped on itself, lots of YouTube videos show this, or put the transmission in 5th and have someone step on the brakes), so it's optional if you feel you may need the special tool. The timing belt in this kit is clearly marked with timing indicators, making it easy to install the belt on the correct tooth on all of the cams and the crank, so you can confidently pull the tensioner pin once you've visually confirmed the belt is aligned with the timing marks on the cams and the rear timing belt covers. Note that the Aisin instructions, as well as Mr Subaru on YouTube, say not to use any RTV on the water pump gasket, so I didn't use any on mine, and so far it appears to be water tight.

Awesome kit for my 2004 STI… used the entire kit even the seal so great!!! And is an actual kit..

Crap belt got stretched out the material just sucks can't even return it cus it's used and I used the other stuff so gotta find another one

Good timing belt water pump and tensioner kit Aisin makes/uses only the best components and are OEM for many cars I had zero issues installing this on my 02 WRX.

This kit is all high quality Japanese parts except the timing belt, which it a Mitsubishi product. I have long been a Gates fan boy, since they have always offered great quality belts, but can no longer recommend them due to declining quality in the timing kits they offer. Chinese bearings CAN be quality, but... Other thoughts: This kit does not include the "backlash guard gauge" that the Gates kits have (this is only used with MT cars), so you have to gauge the spacing yourself. I used a hex wrench as a feeler gauge. The instructions DO NOT MENTION that you must restrain the cams for the LH side of the engine or there is a serious risk of bending valves. Really, the engine WANTS to bend them whenever the belt is off. That seems like a pretty big oversight to me. Get proper instructions before you dive into this.

Love that it came with all Japan parts minus the timing belt great quality bearings and water pump all stamped Japan and Aisin. Well worth the money for this kit. Fits ej205 with a slightly longer bolt for the little bearing i picked up from the hardware store. Amazing product.

Great parts in this AISIN TKF-004 kit but I will be returning it given the obvious signs of mistreatment and requesting a replacement. I can't believe the OEM packaged its parts this poorly. All components look correct, unused and most are sealed in original individual boxes, but appears there isn't enough packing isolation among the interior boxes and stuff is getting banged around. The worst condition is the (imperceptible to untrained eyes) damage to the belt given that one folded loop is crimped beyond Subarus spec minimum of 60mm; found it at 53mm and likely caused by the small boxes w/ heavy idler pulleys pushing against the belt during shipping when packed within the belt section. Additionally, the tensioner box is torn, someone used a knife, cutting the pump's box, and the pump seal has marks of sharp edges on its faces; all indications of more violent banging, lack of isolation and mistreatment. SECOND SET PURCHASED Again, great parts in this AISIN TKF-004 kit; all pulleys & pump feel amazing and are of proper Japanese OE manufacturing quality as suggested by all the Pros. Unfortunately this is the second kit with the same problem, poorly packaged and belt is crimped. The accompanying pics collage are of the unpacking the components (received from Amazon & AISIN). Found smallest loop at 51mm while Subaru suggest a 60mm limit. A deformation along this smaller section is evident when belt is out of box and does not relax. The pictures with blue background show that it is possible to properly package all AISIN components with the available packaging without damaging the belt. The belt is placed by itself separated from the tensioner with the heavy paper. All smaller idlers are packed in the pump section. I will not be installing this replacement AISIN kit either and sorely will use the Gates TCKWP328RB which is correctly packed and shows no damage signs. Sadly in this Gates kit the smallest idler is not from NTN and its China-made pump is missing gussets on the casting; the Pros typically question this pump and reluctantly recommend. All components are on a divided tray and immobilized by shrink-wrap with the belt on top properly folded in twisted loops.