Cam Carrier: 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.

Visually check the cam carrier filter, and if clogging is found, replace with a new part.

Fig 1: Locating Cam Carrier Filter With Bolts
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Check the camshaft journals for damage and wear. Replace the camshaft if faulty.
Check the cam face condition of camshaft, and remove the minor faults by grinding with oil stone. Replace the camshaft if uneven wear is found.
Using a dial gauge, check the camshaft bend. If it exceeds the limit, replace the camshaft.
NOTE: Measurement should be performed at a temperature of 20°C (68°F).

Camshaft bend limit: 0.020 mm (0.00079 in)

Fig 2: Checking Camshaft Bend Using Dial Gauge
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Check the cam lobe height "H" and cam base circle diameter "A" of camshaft using micrometer. If it is not within the standard, replace the camshaft.
NOTE: Measurement should be performed at a temperature of 20°C (68°F).

Cam lobe height H:

Standard

Intake

40.89 - 40.99 mm (1.610 - 1.614 in)

Exhaust

40.15 - 40.25 mm (1.581 - 1.585 in)

Cam base circle diameter A:

Standard

34.0 mm (1.339 in)

Fig 3: Identifying Cam Lobe Height And Cam Base Circle Diameter Of Camshaft
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Check the camshaft journal outer diameter using micrometer. If it is not within the standard, check the oil clearance. Refer to step 7) for inspection procedure of oil clearance.
NOTE: Measurement should be performed at a temperature of 20°C (68°F).

Camshaft journal O.D

Standard 25.946 - 25.963 mm (1.0215 - 1.0222 in)

Fig 4: Checking Camshaft Journal Outer Diameter Using Micrometer
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Check the oil clearance of camshaft journals using plastigage.
NOTE: Measurement should be performed at a temperature of 20°C (68°F).
1. Remove the liquid gasket from cam carrier and front camshaft cap, intake rear camshaft cap and exhaust rear camshaft cap.
2. Clean each camshaft cap and cam carrier journals.
3. Set the camshaft to the cam carrier.
4. Place a plastigage across the camshaft journals of each camshaft and set the camshaft caps.
5. Tighten the bolts which secure front camshaft cap, intake center camshaft cap, intake rear camshaft cap, exhaust center camshaft cap and exhaust rear camshaft cap in numerical order as shown in the figure.
  Tightening torque: 18 N.m (1.8 kgf-m, 13.3 ft-lb)
  
  Fig 5: Identifying Camshaft Caps Bolts Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
6. Loosen the bolts (front camshaft cap, intake center camshaft cap, intake rear camshaft cap, exhaust center camshaft cap and exhaust rear camshaft cap) equally, a little at a time in numerical sequence as shown in the figure, and remove the camshaft cap.
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Camshaft Caps Bolts Loosening Sequence
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
7. Measure the widest point of the plastigage on each journal. If it is not within the standard, replace the camshaft. If necessary, replace each camshaft cap and cam carrier as a set.
  Oil clearance of camshaft journals:
  
  Standard
  
  0.037 - 0.072 mm (0.0015 - 0.0028 in)
  
  Fig 7: Measuring Widest Point Of Plastigage On Camshaft Journal
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
8. Completely remove the plastigage.
Using a dial gauge, check the thrust clearance. If it is not within the standard or if uneven wear is found, replace each camshaft cap and cam carrier as a set. If necessary replace the camshaft.
NOTE:
- Measurement should be performed at a temperature of 20°C (68°F).
- Set the dial gauge at end surface of camshaft.
Camshaft thrust clearance:

Standard

0.068 - 0.116 mm (0.0027 - 0.0047 in)

Fig 8: Checking Camshaft Thrust Clearance Using Dial Gauge
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.