Valve cover replacement

[redlightningsvx]

How-to starts at post #15

[techy101]

Fixed it for ya

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

I didn't know where to put this so if someone wants to move it go ahead.
Parts List and #'s.
QTY:
1 Rocker cover gasket left-13272AA031

1 Rocker cover gasket right-13270AA031

1 Rocker cover gasket-13294AA020

1 Rocker cover gasket#2-13293AA020

1 Rocker cover gasket-13294AA030

1 Rocker cover gasket#2-13293AA011

20 Rocker cover washers-13271AA051

2 Oil separator gaskets-11832AA022

This cost me $92.40 but it will cost a little more on subaruparts.com(I get Subaru employee discounts)
I added the oil separators because they should be changed with the other gaskets. For those who don't know where the oil separators are they're the little black rectangle box on top of the valve covers with the big hose on them going to the intake tube.




Ok, well it was pretty nice out today and I woke up around 9:30 am to start these. Everything went pretty easy with changing them out. It took me about 3hrs total to do them. I also ran into an incident where after I was completely done the pass. side valve cover was dripping bad with the new gaskets in which took about an extra 1hr onto the 3 because I had to take it completely out again.Well i'll start the walk-through with the passenger side which is the easiest side to do.

First, unscrew the 2 clamps from the intake that goes onto the throttle body.
MAF. I have a cold air intake so I just unscrewed the clamp and slid the whole tube into the fender-well for some working room.


Here's a pic of the intake tube off so you can see where all the hoses plug in that you need to take off.


Next remove the top of the washer fluid container and remove the 2 screw/bolts and pull up but remember to unplug the pump and take the rubber hose off at the bottom.

[techy101]

Fixed It for ya

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

Here is the oil breather where the oil separator gasket will go. These can be done when you have the valve covers off.


Here's a couple of shots where the bolts and such are.




Here's a pic of my valve covers.




When putting in the new gaskets remember to clean the groove and edges on the motor and the covers so everything will seal nice. Now after that put in the new gaskets like this.


I had a leak after I had both done and found out it was leaking by the corners where it goes into a semi-circle. I put some gasket sealer into the grooves where the gasket goes and around the corners, that stopped the leak.

Here's a pic of my cams. Check them to see if you have any wear or cracks.

[techy101]

Fixed it for ya

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

Well after you do this you almost done with one side. Now carefully slide and maneuver them back into place and start bolting everything back in and it should look like this.















Now your done with the easy side, now onto the harder one.





Now the driver side cover which is a little more cramped so it will take a little longer.

First to give you some room the only thing is to remove the battery which is held in by the 2 j-bolts on the bracket.


Here's a pic of the cover. The black wire in the middle of the pics can be moved to the left so it's not in your way.


There is only one trick I found out and that was for removing the bottom right bolt. Turn your wheel all the way to the left and you'll see a grommet for the spark plugs. Now look to the right of that into the engine bay and you can see the bolt, just get some extensions and take it out.

Here's a pic of the drivers side. It's reallllllllly dirty.


Here's the bolts which you'll need to remove the old washers off and put on new ones like this. There are 2 bolts that are smaller than the rest. they are the 2 that are closest to the firewall and they only fit in those holes.


Then carefully put it back onto the motor because there is virtually no room so slide it into place carefully and make sure your gaskets are secured on the cover before putting in bolts or you'll regret it by having HUGE puddles of oil everywhere. When all of this is done reinstall the intake tube and hoses along with the battery in reverse order and let the motor run for about 5-10 min to check for leaks. If all goes well then you will be one happy camper for the rest of the day.

[techy101]

I have terrible timing. I just figured my through this on Friday. Should have waited

[Nevin]

Well, this is certainly handy news. I always thought that I had to take out some motor mounts and do a whole bunch of work! hahah

Thanks for the info.

[redlightningsvx]

Can one of the mods put thisin the how-to doc. Thanks

[stallion]

hey this is great! the pictures help alot! thank you for taking the time to do this

[JLHollowX13]

my engine is leaking from one side and i think it is from these, so i have a question, do you only have to replace the gaskets? also, are the part numbers listed available on subaruparts.com? (i mean, are the part numbers the same as the ones you listed, im sure they are but i want to double check before i go and spend the money and wait 10 days to get them) thanks!

[redlightningsvx]

Well you could reuse your old washers and oil separater gaskets which would leave you with the 3 main ones but I would recommend getting all new gaskets for the side you need so you know everything is sealed nice and new. Second, the part numbers should be the same as subaruparts because I got my numbers from work (Subaru Dealership)

[Mission]

Wow just wow. I dont need to do valve covers yet but its good to see the work that is put into it. Thank you for posting it. Your How To seems to have everything covered. Is this in the How To Documents?

Which dealership in Pennsylvania do you work at?

[black beast]

Ya thx man! I got an oil leak somewhere in my engine (duh) so is this a good place to start? I really wanna thank you for righting this up, you just saved me alot of money from subaru...

[redlightningsvx]

Originally Posted by Mission

Wow just wow. I dont need to do valve covers yet but its good to see the work that is put into it. Thank you for posting it. Your How To seems to have everything covered. Is this in the How To Documents?

Which dealership in Pennsylvania do you work at?

Thanks for the comments. I didn't think anyone would be excited to do valve covers this much. The dealership I work for in PA is John Stuckey Subaru.

[SVXyGirl]

Some of the pictures don't work. Could you please fix this. Thank you!

[redlightningsvx]

I didn't know where to put this so if someone wants to move it go ahead.
Parts List and #'s.
QTY:
1 Rocker cover gasket left-13272AA031

1 Rocker cover gasket right-13270AA031

1 Rocker cover gasket-13294AA020

1 Rocker cover gasket#2-13293AA020

1 Rocker cover gasket-13294AA030

1 Rocker cover gasket#2-13293AA011

20 Rocker cover washers-13271AA051

2 Oil separator gaskets-11832AA022

This cost me $92.40 but it will cost a little more on subaruparts.com(I get Subaru employee discounts)
I added the oil separators because they should be changed with the other gaskets. For those who don't know where the oil separators are they're the little black rectangle box on top of the valve covers with the big hose on them going to the intake tube.