Subaru is known for quality and innovation. However, some owners have issues with Subaru valve lash specs. The valves must be adjusted from time to time to keep the engine running properly. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about Subaru valve lash specs.
What are Subaru valve lash specs?
A few things to know are:
- Valve lash is the clearance between the rocker arms and valve tappet
- Too much clearance will cause noise and risk damaging the engine
- Too little clearance will not allow the valves to seat properly
Valve lash specs will vary from engine to engine, but the basic warning signs that they need adjusting remain the same. Unless you are skilled with mechanic work, it’s wise to take your vehicle to a mechanic for lash valve adjustment.
Subaru Reputation
Subaru is often overlooked when it comes to automakers, unless you have the pleasure of seeing for yourself what Subaru is about.
According to Reputation Institute (RI), which gathers intelligence from around the world to compile ratings, Subaru has the best reputation.
RI releases yearly rankings based on reputation and reliability. In 2018, Subaru was at the top of the list, beating out Toyota, Honda, and BMW. Two of the key categories included in the ranking are products/service and performance. Subaru scored the highest in both categories.
Subaru also brings the best in safety. Each year, its all-wheel drive lineup gets the highest marks in Institute of Highway Safety (IHS) ratings.
Subaru’s reputation stems from ethics. They have brought consciousness to the auto industry. They listen to their customers and provide them with what they want. They participate in numerous causes and charity events that are important to their target demographic.
Subaru shows that doing business well is about more than the bottom line, particularly in today’s society. A reputation of honor and commitment to quality has earned them a loyal following. The company continues to grow as more people are drawn to the brand.
Subaru Lash Valve Specs
There are two types of lifters. Solid lifters require valve lash, and they tend to require adjustment more often. Hydraulic lifters are set to zero lash, which means they require less adjustment. It also prevents you from having to search for the specific lash specs for your engine.
Your owner’s manual should be the first place you look to learn about the valve lash specs for your vehicle. You can also check the under-hood vehicle emissions control information (VECI). This should provide you with the type of valves used and the valve lash specs.
If that’s not helpful, or you need further advice, you can check the North American Subaru Imprezza Owners Club or Ultimate Subaru. These forums have knowledgeable Subaru owners that may be able to point you in the right direction.
For a visual overview, you can check out this video. It will give you an idea of what is required to adjust the valve lash.
Your owner’s manual should also recommend how often your valve lash should be checked. A vehicle with hydraulic valves might go 100,000 miles before you should check the valve lash.
The general rule for mechanical valves is checking the lash every 15,000 miles, but it’s best to follow the recommendation for your specific vehicle.
Signs You Should Check Your Valve Lash Specs
Valve lash clearance can change due to wear of the parts over time. The heating and cooling of the engine can also play a part. In fact, the key reason for valve lash is that as the engine runs, the components heat up. As they heat up, they expand.
If you hear a tapping in your engine, it could be due to too much valve lash. This can also cause a decrease in performance. It can cause it to idle roughly as well.
If the lash is only slightly out of tolerance, the tapping may stop when the engine heats up and the valves expand. Over time, too much clearance can cause damage to the valves and rocker arms.
The valve clearance can get too small because the valve seat wears over time. When the lash is too tight, the valve has constant pressure and isn’t able to properly close. This causes the engine to misfire.
It also prevents the valve from transferring heat to the seat, which can quickly cause the valve to break.
More Information About Subaru Vehicles
For more information about your vehicle, check out Vehicle History. You can learn the specs for your vehicle, and read owner and expert reviews. You can also learn the history of your vehicle by performing a VIN search.
