dadfulltime Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 I want to check the valve clearance on my '97 Outback. The Haynes manual shows a special "valve adjuster tool" on page 1-29. Says the job cannot be performed without it. They have it at Kent-Moore for over $200. Does anybody know of a cheaper way? Is there another more common tool out there that works? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdonaldks Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Is the engine in or out of the car? I checked mine when the engine was out for a head gasket repair with an ordinary feeler gauge. As far as a special "valve adjuster tool" goes, the valves are adjusted by replacing the spacing pucks. I simply used a screwdriver and compressed air. You may be able to check your valve clearances with the engine in the car but replacing any of the pucks would be a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadfulltime Posted April 27, 2005 Author Share Posted April 27, 2005 Thanks for your reply! I am simply checking the valve clearance. Part of the 100K. I have done this job on many other cars with only a feeler guage. But the '97 Outback uses removable shims. The tool the attaches to the camshaft and depresses the bucket so you can reach in a pull out the shim. Have you done this? Is the tool totally specilalized to the '97 Outback? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadfulltime Posted April 27, 2005 Author Share Posted April 27, 2005 Thanks for your reply! I am simply checking the valve clearance. Part of the 100K. I have done this job on many other cars with only a feeler guage. But the '97 Outback uses removable shims. The tool the attaches to the camshaft and depresses the bucket so you can reach in a pull out the shim. Have you done this? Is the tool totally specilalized to the '97 Outback? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadfulltime Posted April 27, 2005 Author Share Posted April 27, 2005 I see there are some other threads on this subject. Excuse my bumbling. I'm new here. I am getting ready to do timing belt, water pump and check valve clearance on my 97 outback. If you have done this job, ANY advice is appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomson1355 Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 You don't need a special tool to simply check the valve clearances. All you need is the feeler guage. The special tool is for shim removal and replacement, but others have done it with a small screwdriver. With the engine in the car you could replace the shims by removing the cams. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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