2021 Subaru Ascent BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE

Engine Assembly: Removal

  1. Remove the striker assembly front hood. Ref. to EXTERIOR BODY PANELS>Front Hood>DISASSEMBLY .
  2. Fully open the hood COMPL front. Ref. to REPAIR CONTENTS>NOTE>STAY ASSEMBLY FRONT HOOD .
  3. Release the fuel pressure. Ref. to FUEL INJECTION (FUEL SYSTEMS) (H4DOTC)>Fuel>PROCEDURE>RELEASING OF FUEL PRESSURE .
  4. Open the fuel filler lid and remove the fuel filler cap.
    NOTE: This operation is required to release the inner pressure of the fuel tank.
  5. Disconnect the ground terminal from battery sensor. Ref. to REPAIR CONTENTS>NOTE>BATTERY .
  6. Collect the refrigerant. Ref. to AIR CONDITIONER>Refrigerant Recovery Procedure>PROCEDURE .
  7. Remove the radiator. Ref. to COOLING (H4DOTC)>Radiator>REMOVAL .
  8. Remove the intercooler. Ref. to INTAKE (INDUCTION) (H4DOTC)>Intercooler>REMOVAL .
  9. Remove the intake duct No. 1 and intake duct No. 2.

    Intake duct No. 1:  Ref. to INTAKE (INDUCTION) (H4DOTC)>Intake Duct>REMOVAL>INTAKE DUCT NO. 1 .

    Intake duct No. 2:  Ref. to INTAKE (INDUCTION) (H4DOTC)>Intake Duct>REMOVAL>INTAKE DUCT NO. 2 .

  10. Disconnect the connector (A), connector (B), connector (C) and terminal (D), and remove the clip (E) and clip (F).
  11. Disconnect the hose - pressure suction and the hose - pressure discharge from the A/C compressor. Ref. to AIR CONDITIONER>Hose and Pipe>REMOVAL .
    G13862465Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  12. Remove clip (A) securing battery cable assembly.
  13. Remove the claw (B) securing the battery cable assembly, and place it aside so that it does not interfere with work.
    G13198173Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  14. Remove the connector (A) and connector (B) in numerical order shown in figure.
  15. Disconnect the connector (C), and remove the engine wiring harness from the clip (D).
    G13198174Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  16. Release the claw securing the engine wiring harness to the bracket, and place it aside so that it does not interfere with work.
    G13198175Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  17. Disconnect the heater inlet hose (A) and the heater outlet hose (B).
    G13198677Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  18. Disconnect the connector (A), connector (B), connector (C), and remove the clip (D), clip (E) and clip (F).
  19. Remove the bolts securing the vacuum pipe to the engine rear hanger.
    G13198678Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  20. Remove the pitching stopper. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR690)>Transmission Mounting System>REMOVAL>PITCHING STOPPER .
  21. Disconnect the water hose (A) from CVTF cooler (with warmer feature).
  22. Disconnect the brake booster vacuum hose (B) from the brake vacuum pump, and place it aside so that it does not interfere with the work.
    NOTE: Before disconnecting the brake booster vacuum hose, use a marker to put an alignment mark (a) at the position shown in the figure when the clip is slid.
    G13862471Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    G13198679Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  23. Remove the front exhaust pipe. Ref. to EXHAUST (H4DOTC)>Front Exhaust Pipe>REMOVAL .
  24. Disconnect the ground cord on the engine side.
    G13198680Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  25. Disconnect the water hose from CVTF cooler (with warmer feature), and remove the lower bolt securing the CVTF cooler (with warmer feature) to the CVT.
    G13198681Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  26. Remove the nuts which secure the engine mounting to the crossmember COMPL front.
    G13198682Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  27. Remove the bolts and nuts which hold the lower side of transmission to the engine.
    G09480208Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  28. Lower the vehicle.
  29. Remove the upper bolt securing the CVTF cooler (with warmer feature) to the CVT, and move the CVTF cooler (with warmer feature) at the locations that do not interfere operation.
    G13198684Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  30. Remove the starter. Ref. to STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS (H4DOTC)>Starter>REMOVAL .
  31. Separate the torque converter from drive plate.
    1. Remove the plug from the service hole.
      G13198685Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    2. Insert the wrench into the crank pulley bolt, and rotate the crank pulley to remove the bolts (4 places) securing the torque converter to the drive plate.
      G13198686Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    3. Attach the ST to the converter case.

      Preparation tool: 

      ST: STOPPER SET (498277200)

      G13198687Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  32. Disconnect the fuel delivery tube and evaporation hose.
    CAUTION:
    • Be careful not to spill fuel.
    • Catch the fuel from the tubes using a container or cloth.
    1. Disconnect the evaporation hose (A) from the vacuum pipe assembly.
    2. Remove the clip (B) from the intake manifold assembly, and disconnect the quick connector of the fuel delivery tube (C) from the fuel pipe.
      NOTE: Disconnect the quick connector as shown in the figure.
      G13862481Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
      G13198689Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  33. Separate the engine and transmission.
    CAUTION: Before removing the engine away from transmission, check to be sure no work has been overlooked.
    1. Using the ST1, install the ST2 to the engine unit.

      Preparation tool: 

      ST1: BOLT (18363AA050)

      ST2: HANGER (18360AA040)

      Tightening torque: 

      43 N.m (4.4 kgf-m, 31.7 ft-lb)

      G13862483Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    2. Support the engine with a lifting device and wire ropes.
      G13862484Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    3. Support the transmission with a garage jack.
      CAUTION: Be sure to perform this procedure to prevent the transmission from lowering by its own weight.
      G13862485Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    4. Remove the bolts which hold the upper side of the transmission to the engine.
      G09480221Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  34. Remove the engine from the vehicle.
    NOTE: Be careful not to damage adjacent parts or body panels with crank pulley, oil level gauge, etc.
    1. Slightly raise the engine.
    2. Raise the transmission with garage jack.
    3. Move the engine horizontally until engine is withdrawn from transmission.
    4. Slowly move the engine away from engine compartment.
  35. Remove the engine mounting from the engine.
  36. Remove the ST1 and ST2 from the engine unit.
    G13862483Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
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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.