Review on AISIN TKF-004 Engine Timing Belt Kit with Upgraded Water Pump by Keith Wachtel

I used this kit to replace the timing belt on a 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 5 speed manual transmission. This is the correct setting for my car. It replaces the Gates aftermarket timing belt kit. Overall this is a better kit than the Gates kit in my opinion. I am very happy with this kit and really glad I saved a few hundred to get it instead of the original Subaru kit for hundreds more. I purchased an OEM Subaru thermostat that included a replacement thermostat gasket, but the quality of the original gasket and the AISIN T-Stat gasket were identical. This kit does not include a thermostat so be sure to purchase one when installing the timing belt. Everything in this kit is as close to OEM quality as you can get without biting the bullet and spending hundreds more on Subaru-badged packaging. The only non-genuine item in this kit is the water pump and timing belt (depending on the year of your car - Mitsuboshi made OEM belts for Subaru but not all models). I've installed it for 10,000 miles with no problems and the installation went great because everything fitted together exactly as it should. What's included in the kit: 1. Timsuboshi toothed belt. Made in Thailand. All timestamps are clearly marked. Precise. Good quality belt. I can't comment on the durability of this belt over 10,000 miles. But I'm very happy with it and it *looks* as good as the Gates belt. Mitsuboshi is an OEM supplier of Subaru.2 belts. AISIN water pump and metal seal Made in Japan. The water pump is made of cast aluminum. AISIN is an OEM supplier for many Japanese manufacturers. Especially Nissan. I don't know they make original Subaru water pumps; However, the set is perfect. The drive wheel is stamped. And the impeller finish was much better than the gates I removed. Fewer corners and edges. My car had a problem with overheating on hot summer days and now that problem is gone (I'm not sure if it was a new water pump or Subaru's new OEM thermostat).3. NTN Hydraulic Belt Tensioner Made in Japan. Subaru OEM. Blue rubber bearing seal. You may need to refill it according to the instructions that come with it. You may need hand clamps, a vise, or a press to get it right. I didn't have to do this because I had enough hydraulic pressure, but topping up the hydraulic pump is always a good idea. Small intermediate storage NTN. Made in Japan. OEM manufacturer of the original part. Blue rubber bearing seal.5. 2 Koyo pulleys. Made in Japan. Black rubber bearing seal. OEM manufacturer for original part.6. Koyo crankshaft gear bearing. Made in Japan. OEM manufacturer for original part.7. L-shaped water pump seal. Excellent quality, no indication of origin, but perfect fit.8. thermostat seal. Excellent quality, no indication of the country of origin. It turned out to be identical to the OEM. I bought a Subaru thermostat and Subaru thermostat gasket thinking that was the cause of the overheating. Not sure if it was the old water pump (Gates) or the old thermostat (Gates) but this timing belt kit along with the Subaru thermostat fixed it. To be honest, even if you're not trying to save money, not even buying this kit instead of Subaru's OEM kit seems like a waste of money. The quality of the components is top-notch, and the manufacturers are the same as Subaru. Don't pay hundreds of dollars for a Subaru logo decal. This kit is good to go.