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Old 10-27-2012, 05:08 PM   #1
Tromix
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Location: Salty Hell
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2007 Impreza

Default Ej253 Valve cover gasket replacement

Alright, i'm a complete noob when it comes to boxer engines.

That being said, i'm working on replacing the valve cover gaskets on a 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i with the EJ253 Engine. (NOT A TURBO)

Questions:

1. Is there a walkthrough on here specific for this engine? (yeah,i have the damn rs25 walkthrough, but its not the same)

2. How do i attack the engine? Top, or bottom?

3. If i take the engine off its motor mounts, how much lift can be applied before structural problems arise (crap starts to break)

4. how do i work around the fact i have less than 1 inch between the valve covers and the wheel wells?

5. What tools are advised to make my life suck less when doing this? I have a full garage (vehicle lifts, jacks, engine crane, air/electric/hand tools, ect)


Anyway i just need some help figuring out how to get to this thing without messing it up horribly. The engine layout has really made me hate this car.
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Old 10-27-2012, 07:50 PM   #2
rjh2pd
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2003 Legacy
Silver

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Are you sure you have to take the engine out? I didn't have to on my 03 legacy... take out spark plugs, remove bolts (6 per side) holding on the valve cover, pull off, replace gaskets (3 - 2 circular and 1 long thin each side) make sure you have the spark plug gasket as well (2 per side). put everything back on. You will probably have to take of the air intake on the passenger side. batter and washer fluid on the driver side. I was able to do mine with it sitting on the ground and ll from above. Good luck
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Old 10-27-2012, 08:52 PM   #3
Tromix
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I've gone at it twice now, and i've been defeated both times.

First time, i didnt realize how useful a 10mm gear wrench was, so i bought one

second time, I couldnt get access to the bottom 3 bolts, even with the engine off its mounts and lifted ~2 inches

This third time, i'm planning on tearing the whole damn exhaust piping off underneath to get to the bottom 3 bolts on the valve cover.



Whoever at subaru thought this was a good idea deserves to be punched in the dick.
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Old 10-27-2012, 11:17 PM   #4
alt14
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I think if you look up spark plug tube seal replacements you might have more hits since they seem to have more problems failing them valve cover gaskets.

Also have you tried a joint socket adapter? I used this on my 07 and it seemed to work fine for me, I've also used a swiveling ratchet wrench for them

Last edited by alt14; 10-27-2012 at 11:23 PM.
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Old 10-27-2012, 11:22 PM   #5
tibug
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Aww man that sucks. My '03 EJ251 has enough space between the covers and the wheel wells. Even if you could get all the bolts out, you might still need to lift the engine to lift the valve cover past the spark plug tubes. GOOD LUCK!
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Old 10-28-2012, 01:48 AM   #6
0-60in2
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I have the same question... Lol my 05 Valve cover gasket is starting to sweat!
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Old 10-28-2012, 06:53 AM   #7
alt14
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Yours should be easier, it was the 06+(not sure about the new body style) that you had to lift the engine slightly to get to covers off
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Old 10-28-2015, 10:57 PM   #8
Kevinsmith312
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navy blue

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Quote:
Originally Posted by alt14 View Post
Yours should be easier, it was the 06+(not sure about the new body style) that you had to lift the engine slightly to get to covers off
^well that can't be true because the engine and body on the 07 is the same as the 06. so either your thinking 07+ or 05+
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Old 10-29-2015, 02:24 PM   #9
JohnM10
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I manage to get them replaced on my 06 2.5i without loosening the motor mounts. I had the front of the car up on jack stands and tackled some of the lower bolts from the bottom I think I did need to remove the oil filler neck and also moved the fuel rail out of the way on the drivers side
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Old 11-03-2015, 10:26 PM   #10
klaus_b2
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i did mine on my 07. just did undid the 6 bolts or however many it was, pulled it right out, replaced and was on my way. had to finagle the f out the cover to get it to go back in properly though
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Old 11-05-2015, 06:47 PM   #11
Preludicrous
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SRR

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Someone has posted a very in depth write-up with lots of pics. I thought I had it sub'd for when I change mine but apparently I did not. Search enough and you will find the thread.
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