How To Fix Leaking Subaru STi Valve Cover Gaskets - Here's What I Learned

[@Vamp7814]

Awesome tutorial, and thank you! This was very informative highlighting the most important things to not forget when installing the new valve cover gaskets. Thumbs up!

[@AlmostAverageAutomotive]

Awesome job, I bought my first Subaru (97 Impreza) with the 2.2 single overhead cam engine and changed its valve cover gaskets, after i was finished I was like i dunno what the big deal is that was easy....Fast forward to my WRX, came into it thinking this should be easy 😂

[@HazardGarage]

"should be easy." the hubris of every car guy 🤣🤣

[@PlazmaD]

Dude, awesome video. Funny enough, I just got an STI hatch around the same time as you and stumbled upon your videos. Just did my timing belt, water pump, thermostat etc. and of course, like clockwork, my passenger side valve cover gasket started leaking days later. Unfortunately found my driver's side VVT solenoid leaking at the same time, but it is what it is lol Either way, love the channel man. Definitely got a follow from me. I'll be doing this next week. (And I agree on RTV thing too. Less is more :) )

[@HazardGarage]

lol sounds like youre going through the same pains as me too! Lets suffer together! good luck!

[@Retro8itmods]

I have a 13’ sti hatchback and passenger side is leaking as well lol doing that job today.

[@willbotto8662]

Great job. I just wanted to add (Hope you dont mind) Be careful when jacking up the engine. Theres a Dog bone engine mount on top of the engine that goes to the transmission and i see people snap those jacking up the engine all the time. Safe bet to loosin it up before jacking =D Great video man

[@HazardGarage]

thanks! and yep I had the dog bone disconnected (as I was replacing it with a Group N version) so jacking up that engine was super helpful!

[@VenomRoadRacing]

Using bungee cords is a brilliant idea

[@HazardGarage]

ftw!

[@LucasE.Flores]

Good Job, I have changed it 4 times and it still leaking, but leaks only in the point where I have applied the rtv

[@HazardGarage]

bro I almooossstt installed it with a badly seated gasket. Would have sucked! Definitely take your time seating the rubber gasket and definitely pay attention to the diagram in the video that tells you the proper RTV placement. Remember RTV takes some time to cure before you can torque everything down. It comes out as like a gel, you let it dry per the instructions, then it becomes more rubbery, which is when you torque it down. If you torque it down too soon or run oil through it, you can definitely leak. The RTV should have instructions, make sure to follow them! Good luck!

[@LucasE.Flores]

Thanks man for the description, I'm definitely going to read the instructions better this time. Let the RTV dry before torqueing I didn't know that, thanks. I think it is also complicated to place the joint perfectly with so little space but that clearly takes time. Thanks again! 👍

[@HazardGarage]

@@LucasE.Flores yeah its definitely tricky. Take your time. Definitely dont want to do the job more than once lol

[@TommyTranSti]

"dont but a subaru" hahaha

[@HazardGarage]

😅😅

[@akhiljoseph6100]

Good job

[@HazardGarage]

Thanks!

[@Retro8itmods]

What tool did you use to get to the bottom bolts of the valve cover? Seems like a regular 3/8 ratchet is too wide

[@HazardGarage]

yeah the space is suuuuper tight even when i lifted the engine up (although the more you can lift it, the more clearance you'll gain). Get some 1/4 rachets, sockets and extensions. The good news is the torque spec is only 4.7 ft/lbs so its relatively to loosen the bolts. Then use your fingers to get it all the way out as you'll lose clearance as the bolt moves out and your tool wont fit.

[@Retro8itmods]

Did you need to drain your oil before removing the cover?

[@HazardGarage]

I did yes, but I was doing the oil pan among other things at the same time. Although technically I do not think you have to (as in oil will not just start spewing all over the floor), I think it is very good practice to do so.

[@TDT0188]

There will be residual oil in the heads but it's not necessary to drain the oil.

[@Kalbalbasad]

Thank you!

[@HazardGarage]

glad you found the video useful!

[@dondc2827]

Man I just did mine and it started leaking again

[@HazardGarage]

oh no! You gotta be super careful when putting the gasket back. I got lucky in that I caught the rubber gasket being not aligned properly before putting the rest of the car back together.

[@dondc2827]

@HazardGarage I feel that is what happened to me now the guy that worked on my car is being Difficult with me.

[@HazardGarage]

@@dondc2827 damn that sucks! I hope you get it sorted!

[@dondc2827]

@HazardGarage thx bro he just have to take it out and reapply it