Subaru '97 2.2L Engine - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BrierS · #1 08-31-2006, 03:09 AM

Anyone have the valve adjustment settings (cold) for the above engine? I need to pick up a manual but in the mean time I have a loose valve I want to quiet. I searched the web over the past several hours to no avail and almost signed up for Alldata . . .

Thanks,
Steve

wbain5280 · #2 08-31-2006, 03:54 AM

Sorry no, but those Suby boxer 4cyl engines always sound like they're missing a cylinder.

BrierS · #3 08-31-2006, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbain5280

Sorry no, but those Suby boxer 4cyl engines always sound like they're missing a cylinder.

Warren,
Thanks. Being one of the night owl and persistant types, I did subscribe to Alldata in the wee hours of the morning. I hated to since I knew it would have limited info. It did have the specs I was looking for plus a few other things of interest. Less expensive than investing in a good set of manuals for a vehicle I plan to flip!!!

It shouldn't have but it amazed me how comparatively shallow the level of knowledge the Subaru forums (those I found) are compared to this one. I was able to find theads stating the '97 2.2L engine had hydraulic valves and some saying they were solid lifters. Fact is, it is neither. The rocker mounted adjusters make direct contact with the cam lobes therefore no lifters. Oh well. Makes the process potentially less expensive.

Thanks again.
Steve

TwitchKitty · #4 08-31-2006, 12:37 PM

I heard that you can access free manuals on the autozone site. Don't know if it is true or what the manuals are. Autozone, your local automotive convenience store.

I have been surprised on the Subaru sites to see someone post answers to questions about how to work on a car and also post how much they paid someone to do the work for them. It is a different crowd.

My '96 subaru has hydraulic lifters and is a non-interference engine. I think I might have to put a timing belt on it and I am not looking forward to it. I wonder how much it would cost to have someone do it for me?

TwitchKitty · #5 08-31-2006, 01:54 PM

Do you remember what special tool is needed?

The balancer has to come off, might need a puller.

The hell of it is that I think we are leaving New England after Halloween and won't need the car for the winter weather. I especially hate to work on a car if I am not going to enjoy the use of it afterwards.

BrierS · #6 08-31-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123c

Which Subaru forums did you go to, did you got to? The ones that I also go to, there tends to be an overdoes on knowledge, and guys are always trying to figure out new stuff.

It sounds like you need to get a few bottles of Seafoam, and put some in the crankcase, some in the gas tank, and run a can or two through the PCV. My brothers Legacy sounded horrible a few months ago, until he did this, what tends to happen is carbon builds up around the valves in these, and they click really bad. Seafoam is the best and easy cure for this, as far as I know...

http://www.nasioc.com/ and I believe it was also Steve Breen's IWOC. Possibly it has more to do with the '97 2.2L engine I have. That was the year they changed away from the hydraulic lifters and went to no lifters. Also when people were opting for the 2.5L.

Over the past few years I have seen reference to Seafoam pop up but have never tried it. My not being familiar with the engine makes me think you could be steering me in the right direction. Especially since I have driven the car quite mildly in the few hours I have driven it. I'll have to check for a source for the Seafoam if my valve adustment doesn't solve the problem.
Thanks,
Steve

BrierS · #7 08-31-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwitchKitty

I heard that you can access free manuals on the autozone site. Don't know if it is true or what the manuals are. Autozone, your local automotive convenience store.

I have been surprised on the Subaru sites to see someone post answers to questions about how to work on a car and also post how much they paid someone to do the work for them. It is a different crowd.

My '96 subaru has hydraulic lifters and is a non-interference engine. I think I might have to put a timing belt on it and I am not looking forward to it. I wonder how much it would cost to have someone do it for me?

I broke down and subscribed to Alldata for the Subaru and I believe it is sponsored, at least in part, by A.Zone. The bright spot was at least I got the valve clearance specs I needed. Lightweight but quasi comparable to what you pay for a Chiltons.

Timing belt on my 2.2L appears to be a piece of cake. Most likely I'll tackle that next prior to putting the vehicle back up for sale.

Thanks,
Steve

BrierS · #8 09-02-2006, 01:27 PM

Finished adjusting the (no lifter) valves this morning and the ticking is gone. Actually, since I had a substantial ticking on the left bank, I adjusted the eight (4 each cylinder) on that side only.

Tried another suggestion after I had driven the vehicle with the valve adjustment. I purchased a can of the engine SeaFoam, pulled the vac booster line off and slowly let the running engine digest a half can of the SeaFoam. Shut it off for about 1/2 hour and then took it on a parts run. Smoke

did it ever! Completely subsided after about three miles. Could be my imagination (too many ultra early mornings) but I believe the engine is smoother and snappier. Nothing concrete to support this since after the valve adjustment it was running quite normal . . .

Thanks for the help and suggestions. Another vehicle now ready to flip or drive. Nine more to go!
Best,
Steve

Jim B. · #9 09-02-2006, 01:29 PM

Those old Subies are great little cars once you have them up to date mechanically. Did the timing belt at about 118,000 miles for the first time.
Just keep the oil changed every 3000 miles or so and that is all you need

I also drive a '95 Legacy Outback with the 2.2 and although it doesn't climb hills too readily, it just goes and goes and goes, thrifty on regular gas too, and charges through light snow with the AWD.

Compared to a Mercedes, of course it's a tin can; but it's a RELIABLE tin can!!!

It's a niche car but the niche is getting bigger all the time.

The new Outbacks with the 2.5 turbo are pretty luxurious and pretty quick too I hear. But over $20k new. Like the need for a real station wagon (not an SUV) still exists in the USA 10 years after the last American built wagon was discontinued. You can use a station wagon for lots of things a sedan just can't do. Subaru has been making those AWD wagons for about 30 years now and they have pretty good ones now.

I think they're pretty decent cars. The idea of them works for me

Jim H · #10 09-02-2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrierS

...I need to pick up a manual but in the mean time I have a loose valve I want to quiet...

WARNING - the following is to be used only under a shady tree

Measure all of them, then set the one(s) with the widest gap (noisiest) to the 'average' gap.

BrierS · #11 09-03-2006, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim H

WARNING - the following is to be used only under a shady tree

Measure all of them, then set the one(s) with the widest gap (noisiest) to the 'average' gap.

I now think I may have to agree with my significant other that age is catching up to me. What you suggested is the type of thing I would have thought of twenty years ago . . .

Intake 0.20 mm and exhaust 0.25 mm. Worked great though I am going to go back through and do the same to the eight valves on the right bank. Much eaiser once I got the info I needed and actually delved into the job.

Thanks,
Steve