God I hate posting threads like this but I'm stuck. It's a 98 legacy EJ25D. Ran and still runs great, but needed head gaskets. So I figured now would be a good time to put in some thinner 257 gaskets and a new timing belt. I triple checked my timing and had the motor on the dead center timing mark before screwing with that belt or anything. Got everything back together (one of the most by the book head gaskets I've ever done BTW) , primed it and as soon as the thing fired I had this tick. Like valve tick x10. I have since called grimmspeed, the dealer, a few OG junk yard guys, and anyone else I can think of and nothing. I pulled the oil pan and all the rods are tight, borescoped the pistons no little half moons on the pistons, ran some atf though it, changed the oil plugs and wires, and checked the valve lash (one of the exhaust valve is out by .001)...oh and I seafoamed the piss out of it too. Now what? I'm going to pull the timing covers off sunday night to check my timing, pulleys, and valve lash again. Why would a perfectly 25 quite just start makin all kinds of noise...it didn't even really have any cold slap. If I get a chance I'll get a vid up. I should also add the I have since put about 200 miles on and the car runs great! Pulls way beater the any N/A subaru I've sat in. The tick will get quieter under 1000 rpm once it's up to temp, but anything over it's still there. It also seems to tick at half engine rpm and coming from the 1-3 side up by the head. Sorry that got so long and Thanks for lookin'
Long shot, but have you double checked the status of your exhaust manifold? I've had exhaust leaks on some vehicles sound like little snapping/ticking noises if they're minor leaks.
The 257 part number 11044aa642 gaskets are too thin!!!! you are having piston to valve clearance issues, GET THEM OUT BEFORE YOU DESTROY YOUR HEADS! You need part number 11044aa610 If you need them I can send some out to you today. We have them in stock.
I looked into using the 257 gaskets when i did my 97 EJ25D. Everything i heard/read said you can only use the thinner 257 gaskets on the phase 2 SOHCs. I forget the measurement off hand but the thin gasket on the DOHC puts the valve clearance pretty much into the pistons.
WHAT!!!! Than why didn't I see any marks on the piston though the borescope? And why am I only getting the sound out of one side? How much for the right gaskets AWDimpreza?
Noob.... Hardly, you've pulled a gazillion times more subaru motors then I have. (I have yet to have to pull one)
I can sell them for 40 bucks each to you. I wont charge to ship them either, Or I can bring them home with me and you can pay me straight cash.
Just knocked out my second subaru head gasket change ever in about 10 hours (with no unacounted for left over bolts I might add)...and no more tick. Thanks guys!!! Now I just need to put in the exhaust manifold gasket I forgot and she should be ready to go. See you in the woods!
:golf clap: Way to take it in stride, fella. And good work on the pop, pull and replace in 10 hours. Glad everything worked out.
Thanks all! It wasn't fun but lucky none of the valves where bent and I also managed to find time somewhere in there to replace a CV shaft :biggrin: Lesson: The internet tells LIES
