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Old 01-02-2021, 11:00 AM   #4
Elbert Bass
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 283429
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Down yonder.
Vehicle:
2016 Fuji Sunfire 03
Silver

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmy12345678 View Post
I will try running some 93 octane fuel once the tank gets to around 1/4 full and recreate the conditions to see if it improves/goes away.

I do not know the full maintenance history of this vehicle as the Carfax only lists spotty oil changes and air filter replacements, so I don't know if the timing belt and water pump has ever been done, but I plan on doing it within the next month or two.

I have also been thinking about doing valve lash when I do the timing belt job, I could not find a maintenance interval for adjusting the valves and I also doubt it's ever been done. And I am a maintenance fanatic and want everything to be "perfect" on my vehicles LOL.

I had no freeze frame data stored with the code, nor have I pulled the VVL solenoid to inspect it for sludge, etc., just have ran the BG EPR flush treatment and checked the level weekly. The reason I assumed it was valve train related was because of past experience hearing "lifter ticks" and other similar noises and they come close to the noise my Subie is making, and also because the P0028 code was set while the noise was very prominent and the conditions were where the noise always seems to occur (steep grade going uphill, 5k+ RPM's). I just "assumed" it was losing oil pressure at high RPM's or something similar to that.
What is the procedure for preloading the rocker level and how do you check the clearance? I will keep this thread updated and see what happens with the car
No need to pull the solenoid - if the code goes away after you ran the flush and keep the oil topped up you will be fine. Best place to verify sludge will be when draining the oil pan or a look behind the rocker covers.
The "lifter ticks" you are probably used to are from hydraulic lifters, your Subaru does not have hydraulic lifters, hence the reason for a valve lash adjustment. There is no real service interval for valve lash, although most Subaru instructors recommend around 100,000 miles. Given the fact that EJ engines are prone to head gasket failures a competent tech takes time to adjust valve lash when replacing head gaskets.

OK, you have never been behind the rocker cover of a Subaru - It is not so much a preload as it is a black spring loaded lever next to one intake rocker arm on each cylinder. You release the spring to make it easier to remove the rocker assembly. In the photo: The "preload" is when that square tang is behind that round pin to the left of the tang. There is one of those on 1 intake rocker for each cylinder.
You perform valve adjustment like any other rocker arm valve train - set the cylinder to adjust top dead center (valves fully closed), and use a feeler guage between the valve stem and rocker tappet. The rocker tappet has a lock nut and threaded screw to adjust the clearance.
https://www.subaruoutback.org/attach...-1-png.391473/
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