Valvecover Gasket Q's?

[Danbob]

I bought them for 33 bucks today for my 95 waggy. It sure beats spending like 150 per side having them installed by someone else. Mine are leaking badly and have 122k on them so it is time to replace....Anything I need to know about replacing them on a 95 2.2 legacy or is it just the 3 bolts on each side? Someone told me it's pretty much as simple as changing oil. Since I did all the mods on my wrx myself including the Up pipe, I feel like this can't be that difficult. Do I need to seal them with anything or just install them along with the washers they came with? Any tips or tricks would be appreciated! Thanks~!


PS - anyone know the ft. lbs that the bolts need to be torqued to when i reinstall the valvecovers?
Dan

[Jedi Taxi]

well, when installing them, i would suggest using the black extra oil resistant RTV silicone. I think the ft/lbs value is around 22ft/lbs. someone correct me if im wrong.

[Danbob]

Thanks! Any other suggestions from anyone else? Seems like it should only take about a hlaf hour to do this or so...

[2.5GT]

make sure you clean out the valvecover really good.

[rougeben83]

Mine weren't 22lbs...5 bolts and less than 10lbs each according to the manual.

Clean the mating surfaces real well. Subaru doesn't suggest using any RTV or similar to help the gasket seal either.

Taking out the battery and washer tank is a must. Invest in a 1/4" ratchet if you don't have one.

[2.5GT]

Mine weren't 22lbs...5 bolts and less than 10lbs each according to the manual.

Clean the mating surfaces real well. Subaru doesn't suggest using any RTV or similar to help the gasket seal either.

Taking out the battery and washer tank is a must. Invest in a 1/4" ratchet if you don't have one.

If he's replacing the gaskets on the car. I suggest using a bit of RTV in the corners to hold the gasket in place of the valve cover, so it wont fall out of place.

[rougeben83]

Mine weren't 22lbs...5 bolts and less than 10lbs each according to the manual.

Clean the mating surfaces real well. Subaru doesn't suggest using any RTV or similar to help the gasket seal either.

Taking out the battery and washer tank is a must. Invest in a 1/4" ratchet if you don't have one.

If he's replacing the gaskets on the car. I suggest using a bit of RTV in the corners to hold the gasket in place of the valve cover, so it wont fall out of place.

Hmm, if his valvecovers are anything like the ej25, it'll have a little channel you put the gasket in before you put it back onto the heads...

[2.5GT]

Mine weren't 22lbs...5 bolts and less than 10lbs each according to the manual.

Clean the mating surfaces real well. Subaru doesn't suggest using any RTV or similar to help the gasket seal either.

Taking out the battery and washer tank is a must. Invest in a 1/4" ratchet if you don't have one.

If he's replacing the gaskets on the car. I suggest using a bit of RTV in the corners to hold the gasket in place of the valve cover, so it wont fall out of place.

Hmm, if his valvecovers are anything like the ej25, it'll have a little channel you put the gasket in before you put it back onto the heads...

ooh, that'll be easy.

[Danbob]

Hey guys - I am going to do the passenger side one today as a practice after work to get ready for the driver's side. Passenger looks much easier and there's lots more room to work with on that side. Thanks for all the useful info. So no one knows exactly what to torque the bolts to?? It's the 2.2 valvecover with 3 bolts, not the 2.5 that has five bolts. I don't know if this makes a difference but I figured I'd just let you all know.

Dan

[Reason]

It's a valve cover, they don't need to be TQ. Just make sure it is tight.

[Danbob]

Thanks Reason - I was hoping you would chime in :-) I started them today - loosened all the bolts and then it started to rain so I left them until tomorrow - no sense in getting soaked and pissed for no reason. Thanks everyone for answering all my questions.

[2.5GT]

let us know how it goes.

and its been pouring down here in VA :-?

[Reason]

I try to read every new thread but I can miss some. If you ever have a question PM me. I will try to answer you to the best of my knowledge. If I don't know I usually know who would have the answer and I will point you into their direction.

[Danbob]

I wish the NASIOC guys were as nice as everyone here is. That being said, if anyone ever has wrx questions, let me know because they are my area of know-how

[Reason]

I wish the NASIOC guys were as nice as everyone here is. That being said, if anyone ever has wrx questions, let me know because they are my area of know-how

We will have a section for that soon.

[rougeben83]

Thanks Reason - I was hoping you would chime in :-) I started them today - loosened all the bolts and then it started to rain so I left them until tomorrow - no sense in getting soaked and pissed for no reason. Thanks everyone for answering all my questions.

http://www.rs25.com/forums/showthread.p ... alve+cover (http://www.rs25.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51254&highlight=valve+cover)

It's not specific to yours, but this should give you a good idea what's involved.

The torque for the bolts is pretty low, you don't have to crank them down too much. If you have a 1/4" small ratchet it would be good to use because it won't allow you to put too much torque on those things without realizing it.

[2.5GT]

don't over tighten them like i did :grin:

[Reason]

I don't think you need to TQ them. I never TQ a valve cover gaskets in any of the cars I done and no problems.

[Danbob]

Hey guys - I did them on Sunday in about an hour taking my sweet time and having a conversation with my neighbor while doing them. It was the most straightforward work I have ever done on a vehicle. The bolts that hold the valvecovers on actually just don't turn anymore once they are torqued down enough.

All my seepage seems to have stopped except right where the oil filler nosal meets the valvecover....Kind of wierd but I am not too concerned.

Car is actually running better because it REALLY needed these things done. For 33 bucks it was definitely worth doing and now I can use the money I saved to buy new tires
:razz:

Thanks for everyone's help...I now feel like I can do just about anything to this car :grin:

[2.5GT]

awsome work :wink:

i need to do a few thing off my subie too...ie hub/wheel bearings, full brakes, intake gaskets, brake flush...and much much more :grin: