Subaru WRX Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Step By Step 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

[@prajez303]

This is the most comprehensive video in how to replace the valve cover gaskets. Thank you so much for your research and sharing the knowledge in this video. It's easy to follow and it couldn't come at a better time. I just ordered the master kit and as soon as it arrives I'll be performing these steps to get the gaskets replaced. Thanks again!

[@CompressorSurge]

Glad you found it helpful. It looks more complicated then it really is. If you take your time and make sure to use the OEM seals, this job isn’t too bad.

[@CompressorSurge]

I’ll have the video for the other side up soon

[@prajez303]

@@CompressorSurge Sounds good! Looking forward for the next video.

[@CompressorSurge]

🍻

[@CompressorSurge]

The passenger side valve cover gasket video is live 🍻🍻

[@andyhamilton8940]

Doing all the intake hoses, vaccum, fuel lines right now! Thank You!

[@CompressorSurge]

Perfect. If you keep up on the maintenance of these engines they will last a long time

[@andyhamilton8940]

My oil cooler o-ring started leaking about the same time as my valve covers. Good video.

[@CompressorSurge]

Perfect timing. It makes a huge mess if you don’t catch it in time. How did the install go?

[@andyhamilton8940]

@@CompressorSurge easy job. Changed the coolant hoses feeding the cooler also.

[@CompressorSurge]

Good to hear. What’s next on the maintenance list?

[@treystoys]

Great video, I had about a 10 year hiatus from subarus but just picked up a sonic wagon last month. I did my passenger side valve cover and plugs last week, about to go do the drivers side this evening. Same issues as yours, got a little smoke after driving more than a couple minutes, from oil on the exhaust. My half moons were seeping, and I got the master kit, but to add to your video, I’d think the old ones with a coat of black rtv would work to seal them. Another thing unless I missed it in your video would be to change your spark plugs while you in there. NGK BKR6EIX plugs for stock cars and BKR7EIX (one step colder) for modded cars. Again great video, was perfect for me to get a refresh about what to remove! I dove into the passenger side 10 years blind 😂 thanks sir!

[@CompressorSurge]

Welcome back! Sonic yellow?

[@CompressorSurge]

Yeah not sure if I mentioned it but this would be a great opportunity to swap out the spark plugs

[@treystoys]

@@CompressorSurge thanks! Yes, Sonic Yellow 👍🏻 was not really expecting to find that color by any means, I was only hunting 02/03 sport wagons. I was into my search about two months, finding nothing decent remotely near me, poking around on one of the fb bugeye groups reading comments and a guy that replied showed a picture of a Sonic wagon he was about to list for sale. 2 days after contact I drove to Fort Worth Texas, picked up a U-Haul trailer and towed it home. 1100 miles round trip on a Friday 😂 but hey, back into Subaru’s I am lol

[@CompressorSurge]

That’s awesome. Very rare color. What are your plans with it after the maintenance is caught up

[@treystoys]

@@CompressorSurgeso this is actually my 4th turbo subaru, I bought an 05 wrx new, which I drag raced heavily, I did a v8 jdm motor 3076 rotated turbo, ppg geared 5 spd, it made about 450whp on 93 octane, that one got out of hand quick, so I found a guy who wanted an already built up car and traded it plus cash for me to a stage 2 03 sedan, then over to an 06 Legacy gt with a down pipe and tune. After I sold the legacy I took a car break and drove my truck for a few years. I have some pretty lofty goals for the wagon. Being away from them for a bit, so I’ll probably just drive it and do all the mods in stages again. It’s funny, I had forgotten how fun these cars were even totally stock! But I did the lower control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends and both front axles this weekend after I finished the valve covers. While I was in there I upgraded the front brakes to the 4 pots and just did a basic brake job out back with rotors, pads and cleaned and painted the calipers. Next steps will be exhaust probably headers back, and I need to find myself a ln older laptop that’ll support the open source software so I can reacquaint myself to tuning. I’d say within 5 years I’ll have it fully built, or that’s what I want, built block with cams, probably gt35 sized turbo and I’ll do a 6spd swap this go round. I’d like to get into the 550+ whp range on 93 octane. It’ll be a challenge, we don’t have e85 local here so my limits will be fuel related because I want to be able to drive it whenever I want. My 05 did 11.60s on pump gas, I’d love to dip into the 10s with this one, but we’ll see. lol my bank account can only cover basics for now, but my older kids are getting to the out the house age so I’ll have a bit more toy car money then! My 10 year old son is big into cars, so it’ll be fun showing him the car modding ropes and hopefully he’ll carry on my madness 😂. But yeah in short (not really! Sorry) That’s my outlook on it!

[@richriley4638]

Im gling to do my seals in a few weeks do they need sealant aswell?

[@CompressorSurge]

I used a little sealant on the gasket. Some do, some don’t.

[@Order66Wfries]

A great presentation of how to do this! How’s it held up since the install?

[@CompressorSurge]

Worked out great. I wish I would have replaced the half moon seals but there weren’t any issues after reusing them.

[@Order66Wfries]

@@CompressorSurge that’s good to hear! I did mine about 40k miles ago on my bugeye but there’s been just a tiny bit of oil that seeps out. No active leaks but I’ll probably do it sometime next year unless it actually becomes a problem.

[@CompressorSurge]

@Order66Wfries That’s great! What’s next in the maintenance list?

[@Order66Wfries]

@@CompressorSurge just installed a mishimoto intercooler and radiator, a bunch of hoses, Pcv valve. Next to deal with a bad exhaust leak, transmission and dif oil change.

[@CompressorSurge]

@@Order66Wfries nice. Maintenance is key with these engines

[@NestorRios-c3g]

Thank you for the video and helpful. The only question I have is what did you use to seal the half moons ?

[@CompressorSurge]

Just a little bit of the sealant I used. Make sure to thoroughly clean it first

[@NestorRios-c3g]

@CompressorSurge thank you! Watched ur video multiple times until it was litteraly engraved in my head step by step. Got it all cleaned and done this weekend. Both sides, new gaskets, coils, spark plugs. I can't thank you enough!

[@CompressorSurge]

@@NestorRios-c3g Nice! Glad you found the video helpful. Feels good when it’s all back together and nothing leaks🍻 Now that is done, what’s the next maintenance item you’re doing next? 😂

[@simonfozzy8061]

By the way, IAG sells billet aluminum half moons so you never have to worry about replacing them!

[@CompressorSurge]

I wish I would have known about that before I did this😂 Thanks though. I’ll keep that in mind when I need to do this on the STi 🍻

[@harrisonmorin616]

Do I need the valve cover grommets? Like are they a necessity? Trying to get this rebuild done as soon as possible. The motor I pulled didn’t have any and I never had a leaking issue but the secondary motor I got for parts had them and they look pretty torn up.

[@CompressorSurge]

If they are torn up I’d replace them. It would suck to have to go back later to replace them if they started to fail.

[@jesustovar3358]

In order for you to remove the valve cover, do you have to drain the oil before removing it or is it okay if you don’t drain the oil while removing the valve cover?

[@CompressorSurge]

I didn’t drain it before changing the valve covers, but I did when I was finished only because it was due for one 👍 Keep in mind you will lose a little when you pull the valve cover off.

[@bamaadaa]

Did you remove Half moon and Reseal it? Is it hard to remove without damaging it? Gaskets and Grommets on the way but not Half moons, The point is Is there any problem reusing Half moons? Thanks.

[@CompressorSurge]

Mine were is good condition so I was able to reuse them. It all comes down to what condition yours are in. They can be easily removed to inspect.

[@mauriziocesari2621]

Top player

[@CompressorSurge]

🍻

[@SuperCooperDad]

Any thoughts on cleaning the actual valves while you have it open? I am working on a 2005 WRX I just bought, it seems to run great but when I took the valve covers off it was pretty shocking how much gunk is there. Obviously cleaned the covers themselves but thinking maybe trying to clean out some of the stuff inside. What do you think?

[@CompressorSurge]

That might be tough with the engine still in the car. There isn’t a lot of space. Are you familiar with Seafoam?

[@SuperCooperDad]

@@CompressorSurge I have used it before but only as a fuel additive, I guess you're suggesting doing like a flush? That is probably the route I will go, seems a bit risky to dig around in there too much. Great video btw, thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@CompressorSurge]

I’ve seen before and after shots of the head after using seafoam. I’d look into it as an option. I’d be worried about accidentally getting any debris in their when trying to clean it. Let me know if you try it and how it worked

[@CompressorSurge]

@SuperCooperDad keep in mind this is a great time to really clean the valve covers

[@SuperCooperDad]

@@CompressorSurge hey, sorry for the delay, I thought this was worth sharing, so, along with the valve cover gaskets and spark plugs, I replaced the PCV valve (actually the entire valve hose assembly) like a lot of people, I was having oil consumption due to blow back. Afterword, I took your advice and added Seafoam to the crank case. The PCV valve was totally gummed up when I checked it. And, as I mentioned, there was a lot of gunk visible with the covers off. Its been 2 weeks and I can say that my oil consumption issue seems to be fixed. I was this close to buying an AOS but really, I think the problem is solved. Was it the Seafoam? Was it just the PCV valve....don't know. But, if you are having that issue, give replacing the PCV a try and for good measure, put in 4 ounces of Seafoam and drive it for a few hundred miles. My local Subaru shop was quoting like $1,200 to install an AOS from IAG (not that I would have ever paid to have the done, but they were clearly trying to get me to in that direction and never suggested the PCV valve could be the culprit). That was a $47 part on Amazon 🙂a.co/d/09sc1azZ I hope this helps someone else and thanks again for putting this video together, great work!

[@ryanwalters4811]

Does it matter if the engine is an sti engine or will all the gaskets/covers be different?

[@CompressorSurge]

The part numbers will be different but the process will be very similar

[@CompressorSurge]

What year STi?