Valve Clearance: Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Remove the collector cover.
Disconnect the ground cable from battery.

Fig 1: Disconnecting Ground Cable From Battery
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the engine from vehicle. Ref. to REMOVAL , Engine Assembly.
When inspecting #1 and #3 cylinders
1. Remove the timing belt cover RH. Ref. to TIMING BELT , REMOVAL, Timing Belt.
2. Disconnect the connectors from exhaust oil flow control solenoid valve RH (A) and exhaust camshaft position sensor RH (B).
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Exhaust Oil Flow Control Solenoid Valve RH And Exhaust Camshaft Position Sensor RH
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Remove the clip which holds the engine harness to the rocker cover.
  
  Fig 3: Locating Clip And Engine Harness
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the ignition coil. Ref. to REMOVAL , Ignition Coil.
5. Disconnect PCV hose and vacuum hose from the rocker cover RH.
  NOTE: Pinch the clamp of the PCV hose by fitting the cut out in the ST with the protrusion on the clamp as shown in the figure, and unlock the clamp.
  
  ST 18353AA000 CLAMP PLIERS
  
  Fig 4: Identifying ST 18353AA000 Clamp Pliers
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Fig 5: Locating PCV Hose Clamp
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
6. Remove the rocker cover RH.
When inspecting #2 and #4 cylinders
1. Remove the timing belt cover LH. Ref. to REMOVAL , Timing Belt.
2. Disconnect the connectors from exhaust oil flow control solenoid valve LH (A) and exhaust camshaft position sensor LH (B).
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Exhaust Oil Flow Control Solenoid Valve LH And Exhaust Camshaft Position Sensor LH
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Disconnect the oil level switch connector.
  
  Fig 7: Locating Oil Level Switch Connector
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the clip (A) and bolt (B) securing the engine harness or oil level switch harness to the rocker cover LH.
  
  Fig 8: Identifying Clip And Bolt
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
5. Remove the ignition coil. Ref. to REMOVAL , Ignition Coil.
6. Disconnect PCV hose and vacuum hose from the rocker cover LH.
  NOTE: Pinch the clamp of the PCV hose by fitting the cut out in the ST with the protrusion on the clamp as shown in the figure, and unlock the clamp.
  
  ST 18353AA000 CLAMP PLIERS
  
  Fig 9: Identifying ST 18353AA000 Clamp Pliers
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Fig 10: Locating PCV Hose Clamp
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
7. Remove the rocker cover LH.
Turn the crank pulley clockwise until the round mark on the cam sprocket are set to position shown in the figure.
NOTE: Turn the crank pulley using a socket wrench.
- Measuring the clearance of #1 cylinder of intake valve and #3 cylinder of exhaust valve
  
  Fig 11: Identifying Clearance Of #1 Cylinder Of Intake Valve And #3 Cylinder Of Exhaust Valve
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Measuring the clearance of #2 cylinder of exhaust valve and #3 cylinder of intake valve
  
  Fig 12: Identifying Clearance Of #2 Cylinder Of Exhaust Valve And #3 Cylinder Of Intake Valve
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Measuring the clearance of #2 cylinder of intake valve and #4 cylinder of exhaust valve
  
  Fig 13: Identifying Clearance Of #2 Cylinder Of Intake Valve And #4 Cylinder Of Exhaust Valve
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Measuring the clearance of #1 cylinder of exhaust valve and #4 cylinder of intake valve
  
  Fig 14: Identifying Clearance Of #1 Cylinder Of Exhaust Valve And #4 Cylinder Of Intake Valve
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Measure the clearance of intake valve and exhaust valve using thickness gauge (A).
NOTE:
- Insert a thickness gauge in a direction as horizontal as possible with respect to the valve lifter.
- Lift up the vehicle, and then measure the exhaust valve clearances.
- If the measured value is not within the inspection value, take notes of the value in order to adjust the valve clearance later on.
Valve clearance (inspection value):

Intake

0.20 ⁺⁰⁰⁴ _-0.06 mm (0.0079 ⁺⁰⁰⁰¹⁶ _-0.0024 in)

Exhaust

0.35±0.05 mm (0.0138±0.0020 in)

Fig 15: Checking Valve Clearance
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
If necessary, adjust the valve clearance. Ref. to ADJUSTMENT , Valve Clearance.
After inspection, install the related parts in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE:
- Refer to "Camshaft" when installing the rocker cover. Ref. to INSTALLATION , Camshaft.
- Use a new clamp for the PCV hose clamp, fit the cut out in the ST with the protrusion on the clamp as shown in the figure, and lock the clamp.
ST 18353AA000 CLAMP PLIERS

Fig 16: Identifying ST 18353AA000 Clamp Pliers
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Tightening torque:

6.4 N.m (0.7 kgf-m, 4.7 ft-lb)

Fig 17: Locating Bolt
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.