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HOMESERVICE MANUALSSUBARU1998FORESTER BASEREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISENGINE PERFORMANCEENGINE CONTROLS - ADJUSTMENTSVALVE CLEARANCE2.5L
1998 Subaru Forester Base

Valve Clearance: 2.5L

1998 Subaru Forester BaseSECTION 2.5L
  1. Disconnect battery cables. Remove 2 upper bolts on right timing belt cover. Lift and support vehicle. Remove right and left side under covers. Remove remaining bolts from right side timing belt cover. Remove right side timing belt cover. Lower vehicle. Remove valve cover. Disconnect mass airflow sensor connector. Disconnect blow-by hose from air intake duct. Remove air intake duct and upper cover as a unit. Remove air filter and filter housing lower case. Disconnect spark plug wires and PCV hose. Remove right valve cover.
  2. Remove battery and battery carrier. Disconnect washer motor connections. Disconnect washer motor hoses and plug connections. Remove washer tank bolts and washer tank. Disconnect spark plug wires and PCV hose. Remove left valve cover.
  3. Turn crankshaft pulley clockwise until arrow marks on sprockets point to correct position. See Fig 1 . Using Feeler Gauge, measure cylinder No. 1 intake valve clearance and cylinder No. 3 exhaust valve clearance. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION  table. Record reading. Turn crankshaft pulley clockwise to obtain correct camshaft position, measuring and recording remaining valve clearances. See Fig 2 -Fig 4 . If clearances are as specified, reverse removal procedure. If clearances are not as specified, go to next step.
  4. On cylinder with clearance out of specification, rotate notch of valve lifter outward 45 degrees. See Fig 5 . Using Shim Replacer Kit (498187100), rotate replacer screw until it pushes valve lifter away. See Fig 6 . Remove shim using a magnet or by inserting tweezers into notch of lifter. Measure thickness of shim with micrometer.
    Fig 1: Positioning Camshafts For Valve Adjustment Aligning Camshafts For Adjustment Of No. 1 Intake & No. 3 Exhaust Valves
    G98A12351Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
RENDER: 1.0x

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.