I would recommend the Aisin kit and avoid the Gates' kit. Just my 2ps worth.

Lots of good info here

Subaru Forester Owners Forum

www.subaruforester.org

 

@wab30188 I believe the Aisin timing belt kit you are looking for is the TKF004. This is the one I used on my auto trans 07.

However the one you need could be still be different, but its definitely not the 001. You can double check on Aisins website to be sure.

I had used a Gates kit on my WRX back in the day, but folks say that it's quite difficult to source a Gates kit with all OEM parts these days. The Aisin kit is a guaranteed OEM lot of parts. Just another man's two cents.

 

Thanks for the rec ForesterCub!
Looks like Asisn only sells a Manual Trans kit, which I think is because of the Water Pump type. Mine is Auto Trans.

Anyone have experience installing the Aisin TKF001 kit water pump on a Auto Trans EJ251 ? Will it work?

 

I contacted Aisin a few months back & was told that you can use the TKF-001 kit on an automatic; but, you have to buy an OEM water pump for an automatic. The only difference is the water pump.

 

You can get the Gates timing belt kit, at ROCK AUTO. I installed it and after 13k miles it is going strong. Now remember, the GAtes kit with the 'N' designation. Like 304N etc. N denotes all oem parts.

 

I bought a gates kit in 2014, but as you see, they are now china made, and even if you buy the "N" designation model for the kit, I hear the tensioners are junk, so you might as well go OEM or look into the Aisin kit.

 

I went with parts from Bernie on eBay for the TB kit, water pump and t-stat. He had a great price on quality parts.

Timing Belt Kit for Subaru SOHC 99-12 FAKE CHINA "OEM" PARTS? READ LISTING | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Timing Belt Kit for Subaru SOHC 99-12 FAKE CHINA "OEM" PARTS? READ LISTING at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

NPW Water Pump Kit for Subaru Forester Automatic Trans 2 Pipe Alternate to OEM | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NPW Water Pump Kit for Subaru Forester Automatic Trans 2 Pipe Alternate to OEM at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

My last forester was a manual. Whoever did the timing belt before me used a kit for an automatic. I never knew why it had the extra port they capped off. The asin kit I replaced it with didn't have the extra port so I never questioned it, now it makes sense.

 

Okay so I have my current forester's motor out on the engine stand and noticed that it has an Manual Trans water pump, but it came out of an automatic forester. Odd. It is a replacement kit (pump is Gates 42207) whoever did it must have used a manual trans kit.

 

Aisin does have a parts look up. Its not easy to navigate their site:

AISIN

aisinaftermarket.com

 

For price and value, I think Contitech pro series kits by CRP automotive are the best. They are complete and contain all the OEM supplier individual components (Aisin water pump for sure) at a price that's hard to beat. With Aisin, I've found that you have to piecemeal a lot of their kits together which can get expensive.

*correction: they come with an NPW water pump, also a well known Japanese OEM supplier known for their reliable pumps.