I'm going to be changing out the valve cover gaskets on my 99 Impreza Outback Sport.

 

Any tips/tricks, things to watch out for before I get started?

 

 

Thanks,

UMT

Pretty straight forward. The gaskets sit in a nice deep groove so you shouldn't have any issues with it trying to unseat. Only pain is the tight fit of getting a tool on the bolts.

 

Just make sure you have a fine tooth 10mm ratcheting wrench. Makes the job 100x easier.

Don't over tighten the bolts.

get a ratchet wrench, and when you tighten, the spec is only 7lb/ft. make sure you replace the grommets too. the bolts are shouldered, so if you overtighten, it will only break them off.

I remove my airbox, battery and windshield washer tank anytime I dig into anything in that area. Makes things 10x easier.

Good thing you posted this im doing the valve cover gaskets on my 98 obs and I to was wonering if there was any thing to know ahead of time. I did a ranger once that required the ac to be removed to get the drivers valve cover off that sucked!

the 99 legacy ej22 is a phase 2 engine, like the 00 - 04 ej25.

i'm not sure about the 99 obs?

the 98 obs is a phase 1 ej22 so it is easier.

 

for phase 1 ej22s:

remove the air filter cover and MAF, maybe the snorkus.

remove the washer fluid tank.

wash of the top of the valve covers where it meets the head. you don't want dirt falling off of the head into the rocker assembly. the flat side of the gasket goes toward the head, the rounded side goes toward the cover.

 

warm the engine up a little, this makes the breater tubes on the vsalve covers softer and less likely to crack. not a big deal but .....

 

i tighten the bolts form the center out a little bit at a time.

 

if you are doing the spark plugs at the same time, and it is less then $9 for 4 plugs, do the plugs before you pull the valve cover gaskets. the plugs make a bit of dirt so have the ciovers on when you do them.

99 OBS should be phase 2. At least the one I did brakes on was.