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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions
19283 messages, Last post on May 01, 2013 at 9:15 AM
You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.- Your Host is kcram
What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV
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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.
#11936 of 19283 by locke2c
Mar 02, 2002 (10:19 am)
Good links Ken, let me help out a little more.The old Subaru motor was the EA82, it was a 2 valve per cylinder, overhead valve (pushrod) 1.8L. It served for a long time. Around 1990, the EJ series debuted at 1.8L and 2.2L with SOHC and 4 valves per cylinder. The 2.2L was only available in the Legacy for the first few years as this was Subaru's rallycar, while the Impreza debuted in 1993 with 1.8L in North America.
This engine used single overhead camshafts--two total because of the horizontally opposed layout--and used roller-tipped rocker arms to act on the cams and valves. One rocker arm per intake valve, one rocker arm per pair of intake valves. (Look at the Cobb Tuning images-- see the forked rockers, that's exhaust.) Early engines used only 1 exhaust port but sometime in the mid-late 90s they switched to a more efficient 2 port exhaust.
In 1996 the 2.5L engine debuted to power the Outback. It used dual overhead camshafts with hydraulic lifters for one model year. In 1997 they switched to solid lifters with shims under the valve bucket.
In 1999 the Phase II engines meant several things, but for the SOHC cylinder heads both 2.2L and 2.5L it meant revised ports and narrower valve angles. Narrow valve angles = smaller combustion chamber for a given valve area which = more efficiency. They still used the roller-tipped rockers and still rockers for each intake valve and each pair of exhaust valves.
I'd post more but the wife unit says it's time for lunch... Gotta run!
-Colin
#11938 of 19283 by locke2c
Mar 02, 2002 (3:23 pm)
oops, there's a typo in the above message. in the second paragraph I said there's one rocker per pair of intake valves-- I meant exhaust.anyway Steve... no, there are no lifters in any SOHC subaru. they all have rockers that ride directly on the cams and valve retainers.
-Colin
#11939 of 19283 hmmm by paisan
Mar 02, 2002 (9:01 pm)
I have lifters in my SOHC H6 2.7 I think, although maybe I don't? Conf00sed-mike
#11940 of 19283 Colin's Reply by fibber2
Mar 02, 2002 (10:51 pm)
Ok, now you have me a bit confused. In my experience, engines without oil pressure driven hydraulic lifters have no way to take up slack when cold, or as polished ends wear. So they naturally clatter until they come up to temperature. Periodically, or when wear dictates, some mechanical adjustment needs to be made to restore OEM lash specs. I adjusted lash on my Datsun L24 (inline 6) each year, and twice on my '87 1.6 liter Corolla engine. Both used nut/screw adjusters on the rockers (cam followers?). My '90 Camry 2.5l V6 used bucket shims, but the procedure was so involved and the engine ran so quietly, that seasoned mechanics told me to ignore the 60k recommendation. Way too much disassembly (intake tract, etc.) involved. Never touched the '93 Corolla 1.8l either - always quiet. Funny, I made the assumption of hydraulics as the owners manual had no valve service listed, but I don't really know for sure.I understand my new Honda 3.5l V6 uses hydraulic in conjunction with VVT, but again, I do not know for sure.
So that brings me to the '02 Outback. Back in September when I asked, I was told that there were no adjustments required. That lead to my assumption of hydraulic. I guess false logic on my part? So if true, we have a non-adjustable, purely mechanical system????? Help me here - something just does not make sense....
It is the "assumption part" that is constantly getting me in trouble!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve
#11941 of 19283 I thought by subearu
Mar 03, 2002 (5:26 am)
I saw Lash specs on the inside of my '00 Outback's hood.-Brian
#11942 of 19283 '90 Legacy OBD System by jkinaz
Mar 03, 2002 (10:01 am)
I can't find the test-mode connector (said to be under the driver's side dash)to enter the "U-check Mode" for check-engine light diagnosis. Any tips? Thanks!Walt
#11943 of 19283 by locke2c
Mar 03, 2002 (10:21 am)
Correct, there are lash adjustments required on the 2.5L SOHC. It is indeed on a badge under the hood. I think it's something like .008" intake, .010" exhaust. Mine needs to be set.
But anyway Steve, for the DOHC subarus that did have hydraulic lifters, they used a nifty little hydraulic lash adjuster. Unless (until, honestly) a lifter goes flat they are zero maintenance.
-Colin
#11944 of 19283 '99 Outback wagon is leaking oil by dklavitt
Mar 03, 2002 (10:46 am)
I have a 1999 Subaru Outback wagon with 72,000 miles.I began noticing the hint of burning oil from the engine about a month ago. Seems to be originating on the passenger side. It's now become progressively worse, and little patches of oil can be found on the ground under the car.
It's going to the mechanic this week, but I've only had the car since October.
Anyone having this same problem? If so, do you know what's causing it, and what should I expect to pay in getting it repaired? Is there a discussion thread somewhere about this?
Thanks.
#11945 of 19283 VW & Porsche by mortpeaberry
Mar 03, 2002 (11:48 pm)
In early 4cyl porsche (356, 912) and VW types I, II, III; the valves are adjusted with a threaded bolt and lock nut through the rocker arm (every 3k miles and if it is not tight enough sounds like a singer.)On a 356 4cam motor ($1200 tune up, rebuilding costs $10k) four cams, 8 spark plugs, 2 distributors, 16 valves (i think) still manual valve lash - but 10,000 RPM RED LINE (arghh arghh)
I hate crawling under my V-dubs to do valves! especially since I got one of dem subah-ruus.
steve-v
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