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Hey Guys,

I am getting ready to do a valve cover gasket replacement on my 2001 Subaru Legacy GT, 2.5 EJ252 SOHC engine using the Felpro gasket kit to fix an oil leak.

So I found this awesome right up here on how to replace the valve cover gasket:
http://www.rs25.com/forums/f105/t51254- ... stall.html

However, he does not mention using RTV at all.
In my Haynes manual, it seems to indicate that only turbo models or DOHC engine require any RTV at all.

Here he says just to press in the new gasket onto the cover.


However here on a DIFFERENT engine (turbo Forester) the instructions state to use Permatex Right Stuff gasket maker on the covers themselves and press in the gasket on top of those.
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin ... ohc-70127/





So my question is should I use any RTV at all or just go with the original instructions and use no RTV?

I read somewhere that if RTV is not used on the cover side anyway it will eventually leak again.

Thanks again!

I have seen rtv called for in factory service manuals, so subaru did start recommending it at some point. I don't think my 1991 Legacy FSM calls for it. SL-I forum has a huge service manual collection that I helped build, back in the day. You have to be a member to download them, but it's worth it to see the final word from subaru about your specific engine.

I highly recommend using rtv on the spark plug tube seals to valve cover connection. This is the most common, and annoying, leak point on those valve covers. Leaks there will leak to misfires because oil will fill the tube and ground out the plugs.

mike-tracy wrote:I have seen rtv called for in factory service manuals, so subaru did start recommending it at some point. I don't think my 1991 Legacy FSM calls for it. SL-I forum has a huge service manual collection that I helped build, back in the day. You have to be a member to download them, but it's worth it to see the final word from subaru about your specific engine.

I did download the FSM for my model year from there already but have not found where it talks about replacing the valves. I even searched for "rocker cover" as I saw that was what it was called in other FSM screen shots but no dice.

I am guessing it was not called for in the N/A SOHC engines as my research has not had that show up for it in other forums. Still I want to try and do it once and not have to worry about it.

86BRATMAN wrote:I highly recommend using rtv on the spark plug tube seals to valve cover connection. This is the most common, and annoying, leak point on those valve covers. Leaks there will leak to misfires because oil will fill the tube and ground out the plugs.

I don't yet have misfires, but I do have some small traces of oil on my passenger spark plugs, which is what has prompted me to do them.

I would agree about RTV on the spark plug tubes.

I do a lot of SOHC EJ25 reseals, and I've never used RTV and can confirm it is NOT called for in the FSMs. I don't seal the spark plug tube gaskets either. It's my experience that if the surfaces are nice and clean and you perform regular oil changes, the seals last a good 100k at least.

I took apart a Forester SOHC EJ25 once with 232k and no leaks (not even HGs), I just did all the seals because the engine was out for it's first clutch job at 232k.

Alphius wrote:I do a lot of SOHC EJ25 reseals, and I've never used RTV and can confirm it is NOT called for in the FSMs. I don't seal the spark plug tube gaskets either. It's my experience that if the surfaces are nice and clean and you perform regular oil changes, the seals last a good 100k at least.

I took apart a Forester SOHC EJ25 once with 232k and no leaks (not even HGs), I just did all the seals because the engine was out for it's first clutch job at 232k.

Wow okay.
I guess that answeres that question.

Do you use Fel-pro or only OEM gaskets?

I only use OEM for gaskets, I get a parts discount and the difference between aftermarket and OEM cost-wise isn't worth the potential headache to me.

Alphius wrote:I only use OEM for gaskets, I get a parts discount and the difference between aftermarket and OEM cost-wise isn't worth the potential headache to me.

Even with a cost difference I'd still also recommend Subaru/OEM.

Well the Fel-Pro kit on Amazon has pretty good reviews (only exceptions are when the wrong part was purchased).
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

Since the cost is $26 for Fel-Pro and $80+ fo OEM I am going to go with that route. If I have to do it again I might then pay the extra money but for now the cost difference is not worth it.

Thanks guys.

I will be tackling this on Friday.

I've changed over a dozen using Felpro blue gaskets. They feel and look the same of the overpriced oem ones. They work awesome! No sealants needed! Although you can use a little on inside of valve cover to hold gasket in place for placement, especially on drivers side where it can be really tight! But just spotted in a few places.


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Doing a set on a 94 as we speak... Felpro and no sealant.






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Yeah I decided to use the Fel-Pro and not use any RTV since it was not called for in the FSM.

Here are my pics.