I've researched this on the forum. But I still have two unanswered questions:

 

1. Will a weak lifter that is ignored for several months cause any damage to the valve train?

 

2. Since my son (who owns this car) is not mechanically inclined and I'm not near enough to help him, what should it cost in "labor" to have a mechanic replace lifters on one side only? As for the cost of parts, I found EJ22 lifters online for $20.

 

He's had the car for several years and it has always had one weak, slightly noisy lifter. But regular oil changes with good filters always kept it quiet. He replaced the timing belt about a year ago and had the oil pump resealed at the time, so all is well in that area. But I think the one weak lifter is finally giving up on life. It ticks all the time now. He just told me on the phone that he's let it go that way for a couple of months. Grrr!!!

 

I don't want him to damage the engine, so I'll probably send him money to get it fixed since he doesn't have much money. But I'd like an idea of how much a legitimate mechanic should charge. And, unless it's true, I don't want some over zealous mechnic to tell him that he needs a complete valve train overhaul.

 

Thanks!

Michael

Hey Michael,

 

Honestly, this is a pretty easy job. All that needs to be done is to remove the valve cover, take off the rocker assembly, pull out the old lifter, bleed the new lifter, put the rocker assembly back on and put the valve cover back on. It'll be easier on reassembly if they turn the engine by hand so that the lifters aren't resting on any cam lobes.

 

Personally....I can't see this being any more then 2 hours worth of labor for one side....and that's being very generous for someone that has no clue to what they're doing. I think a good subie mechanic should be able to do the one side in an hour or so.

 

There's some pictures of the heads & rocker assemblies here

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/images/ej22t/14/default.htm

Thanks, Josh. Maybe I'll just go visit him for a weekend and help him with it. I'm assuming the weak lifter hasn't caused any other damage.

It shouldn't, the main thing I can see happening if left for a long time is inconsistent wear or premature surface wear on the cam.