Page 1 of 1
Valve cover gasket
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:44 pm
by roudan
Hi, i am new here and want some help. I have a 1992 Subaru Legacy wagon LE. Engine:4-2212 2.2L SOHC.
I have been told that the Valve cover gasket has to be changed and that will cost 155 $ (parts:51.48 labor:89.00$). I thought to see if i can do it myself, but i dont know much about cars. I tried to locate the Valve cover, is it in the side of the engine?. Does it need two gaskets or just one? thank you in advance for any help.
Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 1:59 am
by Josh222
It is a very basic job so I wouldn't worry at all. Yes the covers are at the sides of the engine. There is one main gasket per cover plus 3 seals per side that go around the bolts that hold the covers on. I would also get the o-ring that goes on the oil filler tube since that one gets hard and could leak a bit.

Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:11 am
by Josh222
Oh and I got a gasket it with all the needed gaskets...

Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:55 am
by evolutionmovement
And, very important, the donut gaskets for the screws are only tightened to, IIRC, 6 lbs./ft., which will feel unnaturally low, but too tight and they will leak.
Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:39 am
by Jessekrs123
This is a fairly easy job, and I would suggest doing it even with your lack of automotive knowledge, it is very simple. I have some part numbers here for you, you will need (2) Rocker Gaskets #13294AA011 and (6) Washer Rocker Grommets #13271AA051. 1 Rocker Gasket for each side, and 3 grommets on each side. Those were the part numbers for my 1994 Legacy, I don't know if they will be different, they are both EJ22Es, but double check with the dealer. This is a simple job, should take around 30 minutes to and hour depending on how much you know your Subaru, you can do it with the engine still in the car and do it while the engine is cold to avoid burns and major oil leakage. You might have to drain the oil first - when I did mine, my engine was out and all fluids were already drained so before you start you might want to drain the oil. Take both covers off, remove the three bolts on each cover, remove old seals and grommets, replace them, then the covers go right back on. I bought the seals and whatnot for about $30 at my local dealer. If you want you could paint your covers too, that is completely up to you though.
Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 5:57 am
by Apex3
It's super easy, just be sure to follow our suggestions because you could potentially screw something up(but don't worry you should be fine).
It's just 3 bolts holding each side on, easy enough, gotta somehow get the cover out of the engine too once it's off, but you don't have to take anything off to do that. Just try to keep dirt from getting in the engine and don't overtighten the bolts and you'll be golden.
Also I suggest cleaning them off with some engine cleaner on the outside at least.
And don't do what I did and bump the remote start while the cover is off

oil went everywhere.
Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:34 am
by roudan
Thank you alot guys, i'm really happy that i found this forum. I found a valve cover gasket set for 92 legacy on autozone website, it's aout 30$, here it is :
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 7143_11524_
I had a look under the hood and i see now where the valave cover is ( thanks to you all) the left side seems easy to work on, but the right side by the windshield washer container, seems that may give me some trouble, i mean there are stuffs am not familiar with, i dont want to ''unplug'' something and cause problems. There is a co-worker who said he knows about cars and offered his help. That will be great for me as am really a car mechanism illiterate. Thanks again and god bless, i will be back with some more topics asking for help

.
Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:02 pm
by SiCkSTi04
that Felpro kit from autozone will work just fine

Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:49 pm
by Legacy777
Just a note, you don't have to drain the engine oil to replace the gaskets.
Also, you can remove or move the windshield washer tank to give you some more room on that side. The hose is long enough that you can move it on top of the engine once you've remove the bolts holding it on.
Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:48 pm
by Apex3
Legacy777 wrote:Just a note, you don't have to drain the engine oil to replace the gaskets.
Also, you can remove or move the windshield washer tank to give you some more room on that side. The hose is long enough that you can move it on top of the engine once you've remove the bolts holding it on.
Yes, but make sure the engine is completely cold! Aside from the obvious removing metal engine parts, if it's warm at all there will be some oil still in there, even if it's just warm, not a whole lot but still
Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:09 pm
by LookAsubie
Some good info in this thread, i need to do this soon as well.
Re: Valve cover gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 9:48 pm
by roudan
Thanks alot