I own a 2006 Forester. In 2005, the 2.5L got two position variable timing and went back to mechanical valve lifters. What's the best way to service the mechanic valve lifters? Is it like the "bucket and shim" mechanical lifters on the 2.5L DOHC? Do the valves need to be adjusted at a certain mileage , or do you wait to hear some light valve tapping? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

All Subaru's went back to mechanical lifters in '97.... I don't know of any EJ251's or EJ253's with hydro lifters.....

 

At any rate - you adjust them every 105k miles per Subaru (same as the timing belt). They are just like any other rocker-arm solid lift setup - you have a set screw and a square headed adjuster bolt. You loosen the set-screw, adjust the clearance till there is slight drag on your feeler gauge, and lock down the set-screw. Easy.

 

Bucket and Shim, or more recently "Shimless buckets" are only used on the DOHC designs because in them there is one lobe per valve. Not so on the SOHC's where one lobe drives two valves.

 

GD

I own a 2006 Forester. In 2005, the 2.5L got two position variable timing and went back to mechanical valve lifters. What's the best way to service the mechanic valve lifters? Is it like the "bucket and shim" mechanical lifters on the 2.5L DOHC? Do the valves need to be adjusted at a certain mileage , or do you wait to hear some light valve tapping? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

http://ken-gilbert.com/impreza-manuals

They have a service manual pdf for your car. It's huge!

The lifters are screw type adjustable roller rockers.

Make sure that they aren't too tight when you do them. One does them with the engine cold, on a hoist. With a foil gauge spark plug thing screw driver and wrench.

Some play is an essential part of this design as it allows for valve seating, engine expansion, and wear.

Edited July 9, 201114 yr by subaruplatt