Dickensheets Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 Can this be done with the engine in the car? Any pointers from those who've gone before me. Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. RX Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 Can this be done with the engine in the car? Any pointers from those who've gone before me. Ryan I have hydraulic valve lash adjusters on my EJ20Gs, there is no way to adjust the valves. I'm pretty sure that all Subaru DOHC engine have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 If it's a '96, they're hydraulic. '97-99 are solid lifter, which use "adjusting pucks" or shims in varying thicknesses. It's possible (barely) to do in the car, but a royal pain. Probably why the shops/dealers get the big bucks for the job. Emily http://www.ccrengines.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAWalker Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 It can be done in car. But not without a $250some dollar special tool. I do the valve adjustment service for $350ish, includes new valve cover gaskets. Price of new shims extra. Shims are about $7 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickensheets Posted September 15, 2005 Author Share Posted September 15, 2005 Thanks guys, I'll just let it ride and chock the noise up to p-slap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smpol19 Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 Is this something that really should be done? My 2.2l has this in the schdual at 105,000 miles which is the same as the milage for the timing belt. Just wondering if i should have it done then or if i should just wait untill the valve covers start to leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. RX Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 WOW, that sound like my Alfa that I used to run. They had buttons that sat on the top of the valve stems, there was a cup (cam follower) that sat on top of the entire valve and spring. We first measured the clearance gap, then removed the cam, measured the thickness of the buttons, by knowing those two, we could figure out the size of button needed to bring the clearance gap back into spec. I would imagine doing that same thing on these engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooo Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 Is this something that really should be done? My 2.2l has this in the schdual at 105,000 miles which is the same as the milage for the timing belt. Just wondering if i should have it done then or if i should just wait untill the valve covers start to leak. My 2.5 200 legacy has it also at 105k, but when I asked the dealer they said they didn't think it was worth doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAWalker Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 Only '97-'99 DOHC 2.5L engines use shims for valve adjustment. The '97 on 2.2L and 2.5L SOHC engines have screw type adjusters on the rocker arms. Adjusting valves on these engines is much easier. It is worth doing. Valves tighten up after time, espesially exhaust valves. Tight exhaust valves=burnt valves if adjustment is not done. Burnt valves=more $$$ than the valve adjustment would have cost. Alot of Dealers don't sell valve adjustments because it is too much like work, and in the case of our local dealer, they couldn't figure out how to use the special tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q240z Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 If you're doing the TB, you're probably also going to do the cam seals. The cams come off easily at that point, so doing a valve adjust isn't all that much work and you won't need the special spring compressor. But you would need dial calipers or a micrometer to measure the shims. The previous owner of my '97 didn't have hers adjusted and burnt the hell out of an exhaust valve. Big gaps are much less of a worry than tight ones. Over time, the valves seat deeper in the seats, which tightens up the clearance. If you don't adjust the valves, eventually they don't seat at all and then things get very hot and go boom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted September 17, 2005 Share Posted September 17, 2005 What is the recommended service interval for the valve adjustment on the 97-99s? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted September 17, 2005 Share Posted September 17, 2005 Im doing them without a special tool but I do them off the car. What is this tool for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98seblackmax Posted September 17, 2005 Share Posted September 17, 2005 Im new to Subies and I am looking at a cheap '96 Legacy with the 2.2 L (EJ22?). The car is at 138K and it's used so it's maintenance history is unknown, though the sales guy claims it was well taken care of. I was wondering does this car need a valve adjustment at this point or is there any way to tell by the engine sound? I dont hear any major ticking but the valve covers are oily. The engine sounds and revs smoothly except that it rocks a bit from soft motor mounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwatt Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 What is the recommended service interval for the valve adjustment on the 97-99s? Owner's manual of our '98 Outback and our '99 Legacy GT call for "inspect valve clearance" at 105K for 49-state vehicles. I'm contemplating how to deal with this on our cars now. I've heard about this "special tool" and I can't picture how anyone can do that kind of work in the confines of the engine compartment. I replaced the outer and inner rocker cover gaskets and bolt washers recently on these 2 cars and that alone was challanging enough (in terms of lack of space to work in...) I'm assuming that the valve adjustment procedure is done from under the vehicle if one tries it with the engine still in the car......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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