Valve Clearance: 2.5L

Disconnect battery cables. Remove 2 upper bolts on right timing belt cover. Lift and support vehicle. Remove right and left side under covers. Remove remaining bolts from right side timing belt cover. Remove right side timing belt cover. Lower vehicle. Remove valve cover. Disconnect mass airflow sensor connector. Disconnect blow-by hose from air intake duct. Remove air intake duct and upper cover as a unit. Remove air filter and filter housing lower case. Disconnect spark plug wires and PCV hose. Remove right valve cover.
Remove battery and battery carrier. Disconnect washer motor connections. Disconnect washer motor hoses and plug connections. Remove washer tank bolts and washer tank. Disconnect spark plug wires and PCV hose. Remove left valve cover.
Turn crankshaft pulley clockwise until arrow marks on sprockets point to correct position. See Fig 1 . Using Feeler Gauge, measure cylinder No. 1 intake valve clearance and cylinder No. 3 exhaust valve clearance. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION table. Record reading. Turn crankshaft pulley clockwise to obtain correct camshaft position, measuring and recording remaining valve clearances. See Fig 2 -Fig 4 . If clearances are as specified, reverse removal procedure. If clearances are not as specified, go to next step.
On cylinder with clearance out of specification, rotate notch of valve lifter outward 45 degrees. See Fig 5 . Using Shim Replacer Kit (498187100), rotate replacer screw until it pushes valve lifter away. See Fig 6 . Remove shim using a magnet or by inserting tweezers into notch of lifter. Measure thickness of shim with micrometer.

Fig 1: Positioning Camshafts For Valve Adjustment Aligning Camshafts For Adjustment Of No. 1 Intake & No. 3 Exhaust Valves
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Fig 2: Positioning Camshafts For Valve Adjustment Aligning Camshafts For Adjustment Of No. 3 Intake & No. 2 Exhaust Valves
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Fig 3: Positioning Camshafts For Valve Adjustment Aligning Camshafts For Adjustment Of No. 2 Intake & No. 4 Exhaust Valves
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Fig 4: Positioning Camshafts For Valve Adjustment Aligning Camshafts For Adjustment Of No. 4 Intake & No. 1 Exhaust Valves
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Fig 5: Rotating Valve Lifter 45 Degrees Outward
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Fig 6: Using Shim Replacer Kit To Relocate Valve Lifter
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Using measured valve clearance ("V") and thickness of shim ("T"), determine shim thickness ("S") using the following equations:
- Intake Valve: S = (V + T) - .20
- Exhaust Valve: S = (V + T) - .25
Shims are available in thicknesses from .0874" (2.22 mm) to .1106" (2.81 mm) in .0004" (.01 mm) increments. Install selected shim to valve lifter.
Remove Shim Replacer Kit. Turn crankshaft 2 complete revolutions and recheck valve clearance. Readjust valve clearance if necessary. Tighten nuts and bolts.