Torque Wrench for Subaru WRX Valve Covers

[cutlassvillager]

I am going to be replacing the valve cover gaskets on my father's 2002 Subaru WRX (EJ205 motor) shortly. My torque wrench will not fit and because of the very small amount of room between the valve covers and engine compartment walls I'm not sure any will.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a torque wrench that will fit into a small area and anyone have any recommendations on doing this job on this particular motor? This will be the first time I have replaced valve covers but it looks fairly straight forward. I assume a torque wrench is mandatory to do the job properly. I will be using all Subaru gaskets and I was told by the parts department to get new grommets/bolts (16 of them).

 

[WhyMe]

just snug them. be careful not to overtighten as they can break

 

[partspro]

I would buy the new bolts with grommets. Many vehicles now use this type of fastener and you should change them when changing your valve cover gaskets. 1/4 Torque Wrench would be the smallest, but I don't know exactly how much room you have.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: WhyMe
just snug them. be careful not to overtighten as they can break


Isn't a torque wrench designed to do exactly that?

 

[stephen9666]

What's the torque spec and what's your brand/size of torque wrench?

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Don't over-think this. It's a valve cover, really just a fancy oil splash guard, not a structural part of the engine like an LS oil pan is. You should have an idea of how tight the bolts are when they come off so you should be fine putting them back on by feel.

I'm doing the same thing on my leaking 2001 RS real soon.

 

[Trav]

You wont get a 1/4" drive torque wrench on the rear bolts without using a crows foot.
These bolt bottom out on the shoulder so just tighten them alternately with a small 1/4" ratchet and a ratcheting box wrench on the rears until they bottom out.

Use two fingers to snug them after they bottom. Head size is 10mm.

 

[sxg6]

The torque specs for my 2009 subaru valve covers are like 4.6 ft-lbs or something like that.. When I changed my valve cover gaskets I basically just did hand tight, same as what I do when I change my oil filter.

 

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted By: cutlassvillager
.......... This will be the first time I have replaced valve covers but it looks fairly straight forward.............


On my DOHC Subaru motor, the valve cover bolts need to be tightened in a specific order. That may apply to your engine also.