Valve Clearance Adjustment

NOTE: Perform valve adjustment with engine cold.

Disconnect battery cables. Remove battery. Remove battery carrier. Remove engine coolant reservoir tank. Remove air intake duct and air cleaner assembly. Remove air intake resonator chamber. Disconnect spark plug wires from spark plugs. Disconnect PCV hose from valve cover. Remove windshield washer fluid tank.
Remove engine undercover. Remove left-hand timing belt cover. Remove one bolt from right-hand timing belt cover. See Fig 1. Remove valve covers. Rotate crankshaft clockwise and set No. 1 cylinder at TDC of compression stroke. Arrow mark on left-hand camshaft sprocket should be pointing up. See Fig 2.

Fig 1: Identifying Right-Hand Timing Belt Cover Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Fig 2: Identifying Left-Hand Camshaft Sprocket TDC Positions
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Using a feeler gauge, measure No. 1 cylinder valve clearance and adjust valves as needed. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS table. Rotate crankshaft 180 degrees clockwise so the next cylinder in firing order is at TDC. See Fig 2. Measure and adjust valve clearance as needed.

VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS

Application	Clearance - In. (mm)
Intake	.007-.009 (.18-.22)
Exhaust	.009-.011 (.22-.27)

Repeat procedure until all valve have been adjusted. If any valve clearance is not within specification, ensure camshaft lobe on valve that requires adjustment is pointing away from valve.