Hey Guys/Gals
I posted a question in the Engine section but as of yet have gotten no responses to it, so Im going to post it here as well (mod feel free to move it if need be)

Wifey's 97 Outback (Legacy version, not impreza) has recently developed a valve "tick" and since Im no wrench/gear head, what I want to know is, can the valve's on the boxer 4 be adjusted? I know on some "newer" vehicles, you can't adjust the valves but not sure if this is the case with a subbie!
Any help answering this question would be great!

 

Wow, thats a good question and also one i don't think i can explain by typing. my first ? is what engine is it? i think they still made a 2.2 in the O/B in 97. thats what it sounds like you have to me. the heads on the 2.2 are much diff. than the 2.5. 2.2's have little oil filled valve lash adjusters. where as the 2.5 has shims that need to be carefully measured, ect. ect. anyway, the oil filled VLA on 2.2's get stuck sometimes and make an audible ticking noise. you can try running some Wynns Supreme oil treatment in, and then driving down the road at about 4500-5000 for a minute or so. and do that a couple times. that will sometimes cure it. if not, you have to have the adjusters replaced. ok, if it is a 2.5 that is ticking there is nothing you can do about it. its not the valves being hit or anything like that, b/c the engine would not run. it's just something 2.5s do sometimes. hope i helped a little.


-PJ

 

Thanks to both of you for your help!