ATTENTION:
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IMPORTANT - All
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© 2020 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

2.0 / 2.5L FA and FB Engines

NUMBER: 14-25-20

SUBJECT:

Valve Spring Replacement Tools Service Parts Availability

DATE: 05/05/20

INTRODUCTION:
This Service Information Bulletin announces availability of enhanced service parts to repair and
optimize durability of the valve spring replacement (installer) tools used to perform the WTY-84
recall. Commonly reported conditions are shown in the photos below.

PART INFORMATION:
Description

Part Number

Applicable Tool

INTAKE Spring Installer Repair Kit

99851AA200

2.0 / 2.5 IN-C

EXHAUST Spring Installer Repair Kit

99851AA210

2.0 / 2.5 EX-C

These new repair kits are available through the normal parts ordering channels.

CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 14-25-20; Date: 05/05/20

Page 1 of 6

KIT CONTENTS:

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
INTAKE (WHITE Paint Mark) Spring Installer Tool Repair Procedure Using Kit p.n.
99851AA200:
•

The original cylinders, springs and plate (with minor deformations) can be straightened and
reused although, new parts are included in the kit to use when required.

•

Instructions for how to straighten / repair the components are described below.

•

Select the appropriate repair procedure according to the installer tool component conditions.

•

Store any unused new repair parts in a safe place for future use as necessary.

(1) Disassembly of the INTAKE Spring Installer Tool:
(a) Remove the 4 Philips screws and disassemble the INTAKE installer tool.
CAUTIONS:
•

Be careful not to lose the support rods their support springs or cylinder springs.

•

Do not remove the E-clips from the support rods.
WHITE
Paint Mark

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 14-25-20; Date: 05/05/20

Page 2 of 6

(b) IMPORTANT NOTE: When reusing a removed cylinder, spring and / or plate, perform the
repairs below following the applicable procedure below before reassembly.
•

Repairing the Cylinder: CAREFULLY straighten the cylinder as shown in the figure below
using pliers, etc. so the “ears” are horizontal, parallel to each other and not twisted. Both ears
are bent on the left photo and shown after straightening on the right.

•

Repairing the Spring: CAREFULLY correct the deformation and reset the length. The
length must be adjusted to a free length of 7.5 mm or replaced if the deformation cannot be
corrected.

Reset the spring free length to 7.5 mm.

•

Repairing the Plate: CAREFULLY straighten any bent end tabs using pliers or an
equivalent tool. Place the plate on a flat surface to confirm it does not rattle which would be
an indicator it may still be slightly bent.

(2) Reassembly of INTAKE Spring Installer Tool:
(a) Confirm all components are thoroughly cleaned before beginning reassembly.
(b) Reassemble the center pins, support rods and support springs as shown in the sequence below
into the “plate sub-assembly”.
CAUTION:
•

When reusing the 2 center pin retaining screws, check for dirt, oil or any debris on the
screw threads and clean as necessary before installation. Replace any screws with damaged
threads.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 14-25-20; Date: 05/05/20

Page 3 of 6

(c) Set the plate sub-assembly back in place on the tool body. Place the 2 new reinforcing plates
from the repair kit into their positions as shown below. Secure them to the installer tool body
using the 4 new screws included in the kit but do not fully tighten them until after confirming
both support rods are installed in their proper positions.

New Reinforcing Plates

VERY CRITICAL NOTES:
As a result of these repairs, tool strength is improved by installation
of a reinforcing plate to prevent tool deformation (INTAKE installer
only). Therefore, if proper procedures are not followed such as
reversing the installation direction of the keepers, downward force
on the intake valve(s) can overcome the air pressure pressurizing the
cylinder. This may cause the valve to open allowing air to leak which
can result in an increased risk of the intake valve dropping into the
cylinder. To avoid this, always pay close attention to the installation
direction of the keepers, along with the setting positions of the spring
retainer and the valve springs whenever performing this procedure.

New Reinforcing
Plate

Both the intake and exhaust (“C”) spring installation tools are commonly damaged by improper
alignment of either the tool to the spring and retainer or the spring and steel valve spring seat not
properly seated down onto the cylinder head / valve guide boss. Often, both are misaligned. Always
TAKE THE TIME to ensure these components are properly aligned before using either “C” spring
installation tool to compress the spring pair assembly.
EXHAUST (GREEN Paint Mark) Spring Installer Tool Repair Procedure Using Kit p.n.
99851AA210:
•

The original cylinders, springs and plates (with minor deformations) can be straightened and
reused although, new parts are included in the kit to use when required.

•

Instructions for how to straighten / repair the components are described below.

•

Select the appropriate repair procedure according to the installer tool component conditions.

•

Store any unused new repair parts in a safe place for future use as necessary.

(1) Disassembly of the EXHAUST Spring Installer Tool:
(a) Remove the 4 Philips screws and disassemble the EXHAUST installer tool.
CAUTIONS:
•

The push rod mounting screws may be difficult to loosen as a thread locking agent is applied
to them during tool assembly. If so, secure the push rod in a vise and CAREFULLY remove
the screws.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 14-25-20; Date: 05/05/20

Page 4 of 6

•

When securing the push rod in a vise, always protect it with a clean cloth to prevent damage.

•

Be careful not to lose the support rods, their support springs or cylinder springs during
disassembly.

•

Do not remove the E-clips from the support rods.

•

To remove the cylinders, push down the right and left support rods to gain clearance.

(2) Reassembly of EXHAUST Spring Installer Tool:
(a) Confirm all components are thoroughly cleaned before beginning reassembly.
(b) IMPORTANT NOTE: If repairing and reusing the cylinders, springs and / or the plates,
repair them in the same manner as described in the INTAKE installer tool instructions (Step
1b) above before starting reassembly.
(c) Reassemble the EXHAUST installer tool in reverse order of disassembly. Always be careful
to not mix up the black and silver push rod screws at reassembly.
CAUTION:
•

When reusing the 2 center pin or plate retaining screws, check for dirt, oil or any debris
on the screw threads and clean as necessary before installation. Replace any screws with
damaged threads.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 14-25-20; Date: 05/05/20

Page 5 of 6

(d) Re install the cylinders by pushing up on both support rods to gain the necessary clearance.

(e) After confirming both screws are in the proper holes remove one at a time and apply blue
(medium strength) thread locker to each before final installation and tightening.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as
previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Bulletin Number: 14-25-20; Date: 05/05/20

Page 6 of 6