mkoch Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/gallery/image/3765-ea81-do-not-adjust-valves-sticker/ A sticker on my valve cover says "Don'd Adjust Valve Clearance". The engine is at 160,000 miles. What should I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee2 Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Why do you think it needs to be adjusted ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Then don’t adjust them. Some EA81s come with hydraulic adjusters that don’t need adjusting. Although we can guess you have an EA81 with hydraulic adjusters you should probably tell what vehicle you have and how positive you are it’s the original engine. If the engine may have been swapped at some point then it could be different and the sticker no longer applies. If there’s a problem you’re trying to adjust then discuss the specific symptoms and issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoch Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 (edited) It is an EA81, not the original engine. There are bent pieces of metal to prevent the set nut on the valve adjustment bolt from being moved. I messed with #1 valves, and #3 valves. I don't know how to un-mess them. edit: bad decision, I know. I had the valve cover off, and the spirit of "why not" took over. Thanks for the help, though, 2 and 4 will remain untouched. mkoch Edited April 18, 2018 by mkoch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sapper 157 Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 How much did you adjust them? Yeah that probably wasnt the best idea. Did you adjust them in or out? did you follow any adjustment procedure at all, or did you just start turning the nut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 (edited) We’re you adjusting for a reason, or issue? Is it still running properly after your adjustment? Get the FSM for EA81s and look at the valve adjustment procedure. Search? I’m guessing it’s been done before? Edited April 18, 2018 by idosubaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoch Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 How much did you adjust them? Yeah that probably wasnt the best idea. Did you adjust them in or out? did you follow any adjustment procedure at all, or did you just start turning the nut? I followed the adjustment procedure in "Keep Your Subaru Alive" , bent the retaining clip, loosened the lock nut, the turned the square ended bolt. 3 I adjusted "in" , one, I adjusted "out" It was very, very difficult to adjust to specific measurement, 0.010" was tight, 0.012" was a bit tighter 0.014" was tighter, but could still be wedged in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 But to answer your question - I think the sticker is associated with nonadjustable hydraulic valves. If you now have an adjustable valve engine that sticker may be null and void. Though I’d still leave an original OEM sticker in place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoch Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 We’re you adjusting for a reason, or issue? Is it still running properly after your adjustment? Get the FSM for EA81s and look at the valve adjustment procedure. Search? I’m guessing it’s been done before? No issue. Well, the engine was out (it still is out), and it was easy, plus my had not yet reached my daily quota of "stupid". Also, the "Keep Your Subaru Alive!" book told me to do it. Ya gotta do what the book says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru Scott Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 If it had the locking tabs, then it is a hydraulic lifter engine. The procedure in your book is for solid lifters. I honestly can't remember what the procedure is for hydraulics, but you can turn the adjuster in till it just makes contact, and then go one more turn. That will at least get you close until you do more research. That is, if you need to drive it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 The correct procedure for adjusting the hydraulic lifter rocker assemblies can be found in the 84 factory service manual. I have posted it here in the forum many years ago also. A careful search may come up with such posts. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 a rule of thumb for any hydraulic lifters of these kind at least is to adjust {if you must!!} the adjusters until you feel the adjustment grab on the push rod. Like the Subaru manual i will tell you after the event described. You should be twiddling the pushrod between fingers and then when you feel it grab, back off 90 degrees. This is or has been a good rule of thumb to get the engine going from cold - gives you time to find the factory instructions. Given the years and chances of tinkering, someone may have also fitted up hydraulic rocker shafts and lifters to a solid set up ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoch Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 I found the instructions, and posted them in another thread, for ease in searching. Thank you , all!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru Scott Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 "Don't adjust valve clearance, moose out front shoulda told ya." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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