Cam shaft: Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Subaru Forester. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Measure the bend, and repair or replace if necessary.
Camshaft bend limit:

0.020 mm (0.00079 in)

Fig 1: Measuring Camshaft Journal Bend Using Dial Gauge
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Check the journal for damage and wear. place if faulty.
Check the cutout portion used for camshaft sensor for damage. Replace if faulty.
Check the cam face condition, and remove the minor faults by grinding with oil stone. Replace if there is uneven wear or others.
Measure the cam lobe height "H" and cam base circle diameter "A". If it exceeds the standard or offset wear occurs, replace it.
Cam lobe height H:

Standard

Intake

46.55 - 46.65 mm (1.833 - 1.837 in)

Exhaust

46.75 - 46.85 mm (1.841 - 1.844 in)

Cam base circle diameter A:

Standard

37.0 mm (1.457 in)

Fig 2: Cam Base Circle Diameter And Cam Lobe Height
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Measure the outside diameter of camshaft journal. If the journal diameter is not within specification, check the oil clearance.

CAMSHAFT JOURNAL SPECIFICATIONS CHART

	Camshaft journal
	Front	Center, rear
Standard mm (in)	37.946 - 37.963 (1.4939 - 1.4946)	29.946 - 29.963 (1.1790 - 1.1796)

Measure the oil clearance of camshaft journal.
1. Clean the camshaft cap and cylinder head camshaft journal.
2. Place the camshaft on cylinder head. (Without installing the valve lifter)
3. Place a plastigauge across each camshaft journals.
4. Gradually tighten the camshaft cap in at least two steps, in alphabetical order shown in the illustration, and then tighten to the specified torque. Do not turn the camshaft.
  Tightening torque:
  
  T1 : 9.75 N.m (1.0 kgf-m, 7.2 ft-lb)
  
  T2 : 20 N.m (2.0 kgf-m, 14.8 ft-lb)
  
  Fig 3: Camshaft Cap Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
5. Remove the camshaft cap.
6. Measure the widest point of the plastigauge on each journal. If oil clearance exceeds the standard, replace the camshaft. If necessary, replace the camshaft caps and cylinder head as a set.
  Camshaft oil clearance:
  
  Standard
  
  0.037 - 0.072 mm (0.0015 - 0.0028 in)
  
  Fig 4: Measuring Widest Point Of Plastigauge On Each Journal
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
7. Completely remove the plastigauge.
Measure the thrust clearance of camshaft with the dial gauge set at end of camshaft. If the thrust clearance is not within the standard or there is offset wear, replace the camshaft caps and cylinder head as a set. If necessary replace the camshaft.
Camshaft thrust clearance:

Standard

0.068 - 0.116 mm (0.0027 - 0.0047 in)

Fig 5: Measuring Thrust Clearance Of Camshaft Using Dial Gauge Set At End Of Camshaft
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.