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•
•
•

•

If equipped, swap over the water jacket coolant spacers / baffles into the new block.
Head gaskets are marked “L” and “R”. Always make sure they are properly installed while
paying close attention to the sealer application areas as outlined in the Service Manual.
Always make sure to clean the head bolt threads and apply engine oil to the threads and head
bolt washers before starting the torque sequence. Always follow the torque sequence closely.

IMPORTANT: The one-time use AVCS filter screens in the cam carriers are available
separately (p.n. 14451AA050). NOTE: Although the filter screens are not directional, they
must be installed flush with the machined surface of the cam carrier as shown in the OK
photo below. The NG photo shows the screen installed too deep into the camshaft carrier.
Engines with AVCS on both intake and exhaust will have 2 filters in each carrier as opposed to
just one (intake only AVCS).

Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

Continued...
Page 13

•

Before installing the upper and lower oil
pans, always thoroughly clean and inspect
the pick-up tube and screen. Always use
new o-rings on the pick-up tube and both oil
pans during reassembly.
• After cleaning the upper oil pan assembly,
replace the oil level switch assembly as
shown in the illustration on the right. Torque
the 2 retaining bolts to 6.4 Nm
(56 inch-pounds).
NOTE: DO NOT use any sealer in conjunction
with the new o-ring included with the new oil
level switch.
• Once the basic “long block” has been reassembled (valve cover to valve cover), proceed with
installation of the timing components as outlined below.
• IMPORTANT REMINDER: To eliminate possible confusion, it is strongly recommended
to follow the timing chain reinstallation procedure outlined in this TSB and / or the
Technician Reference Booklet (TRB) for Module 105: “Chain Driven Valve Train Boxer
Engines” instead of the Service Manual procedure.
• To begin timing chain re-installation, turn the crankshaft COUNTER-CLOCKWISE until
the crankshaft sprocket keyway is back to the 6:00 position. This positions the pistons away
from TDC and prevents accidental contact with the valves. NOTE: The keyway is NOT a
timing mark. The oblong / oval-shaped timing mark must face front and be to the RIGHT of
the keyway as shown below. Do not confuse this mark with a mark which may be found on
the back side of the sprocket.

Keyway
Oblong / Oval-Shaped
Timing Mark to the
RIGHT of the keyway

•

Arrange the timing marks as shown below, turning the crankshaft CLOCKWISE into
position. Align the indicator link with the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket, keyway
with the dowel pin.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

Page 14

8:00

Keyway

•

1:00

Align the indicator links to the timing marks found on the outside of the sprocket assemblies
as shown in the photos below (Exhaust sprocket face images vary with / without exhaust
VVT).

Timing Marks Aligned With
Indicator Links

Intake and Exhaust VVT Sprocket

•

No VVT Exhaust Sprocket

Install the chain guides and tensioner. Once proper positioning has been confirmed, pull the pin
to release the tensioner. With your hand, grab and squeeze the upper and lower chain / guides
together as shown in the reference photo below to allow the plunger in the tensioner to fully
extend and click into its furthest notch.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

Page 15

•

If you have 3 notches showing, you want to get one more “click” so that 4 notches are visible
as shown in the photos below. If you have 4 showing, you want to end up with 5. Whether
you start with 3 or 4 will depend on the amount of wear present on the chains and guides.
The number of clicks listed here is simply a guide. The point is to ensure proper initial chain
tension is applied to avoid creating a brief rattle sound at engine start.

•

If necessary, insert a plastic screwdriver handle between the lip of the block and the left side
(B2) guide. Then, VERY CAREFULLY push down on the guide just enough to get the extra
tensioner notch / “click”. When using this method, always make sure you are using plastic on
plastic and NOT metal on plastic to avoid damaging the chain guides.

Plastic screw driver handle inserted between front
lip of the block and the B2 upper chain guide
VERY CAREFULLY pushing downward on the upper guide.

•

Rotate the crankshaft COUNTER-CLOCKWISE until the crankshaft sprocket timing mark
is at the 6:00 position. Position the cam sprocket timing marks as shown below; intake 6:00,
exhaust 12:00.

6:00

12:00

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

Page 16

•

Align the indicator link with the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket as shown below.

•

Same as the left side, align the indicator links to the timing marks found on the cam sprocket
assemblies. Install the chain guides and tensioner. Once proper positioning has been
confirmed, pull the pin to release the tensioner. With your hand, grab and squeeze the upper
and lower left side chain / guides together to allow the plunger in the tensioner to extend fully
and click into its furthest notch as shown in the previous (right side) photo. If necessary,
insert a rubber-coated plier handle between the ledge area on the front of the block and the
right side (B1) lower chain guide. Then, VERY CAREFULLY lift up on the guide just
enough to get the extra “click” on the tensioner as shown in the photo below.

Rubber-coated plier handle inserted between a ledge area on
the front of the block and the B1 lower chain guide
VERY CAREFULLY lifting upward on the lower guide.

IMPORTANT: When re-installing the front cover assembly, be very careful to not allow it to
contact any of the timing sprockets. If contact does occur, it will most likely be with the exhaust
sprockets and it is almost a guarantee the fresh silicone sealer beads applied to the cover will be
disturbed. To minimize the possibility of this happening, alignment pins as shown in the photos
below have been developed to “guide” the cover into its proper position without disturbing the
fresh sealer. The Subaru Special Tool number for the alignment pin kit is J-51972. Each kit
includes 2 pins.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

Page 17

•

•

If alignment pins are not used and the sealer gets disturbed during the cover installation,
unless properly addressed, the affected area(s) will most likely be the source of an oil leak
after reassembly. Don’t hesitate to use a helper for the cover installation to prevent this from
happening.
REMINDER: When replacing the short block, in addition to transferring the crankshaft
position sensor, be sure to index the reluctor properly onto the crankshaft as shown in the
photos below. The reluctor is indexed by a dowel pin in the rear crankshaft flange which
aligns with a corresponding hole in the reluctor. It is possible to install the reluctor without
indexing it correctly. Failure to index the reluctor correctly will result in a no-start condition
due to an out of time crank position signal to the ECM.

•

Once the engine is back in the car and filled with fluids, remove the fuel pump fuse and
crank the engine over (for no more than 10 seconds at a time) to prime the oiling system until
the oil pressure warning light goes out. Re-install the fuel pump fuse then run the engine
initially with the original oil filter left on the front cover for approximately 5 minutes to catch
any other remaining debris. Check for any fluid leaks then install a new oil filter. Start the
engine again and run it for another few minutes. Shut off the engine and allow it cool down
for at least five minutes. Re-check and top off the engine oil to the full mark on the dipstick
before releasing the vehicle.

•

Be advised, some higher than expected oil consumption may occur initially following
the shortblock replacement until the new piston rings become seated. While higher than
expected normally, this oil consumption rate should not be as severe as verified prior to
the repair. This will generally improve within 1000 miles of driving until the expected oil
consumption rate is achieved.

•

Complete the following procedure (where applicable) to conclude the repair procedure, even
if no complaint of this condition has been indicated by the customer.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

Page 18

SERVICE PROCEDURE TO REDUCE FALSE ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW OIL
LEVEL WARNING LAMP (ON MODELS SO EQUIPPED)
Any repairs performed as part of this bulletin MUST include installation of the applicable ECM
reprogramming file for Oil Level Detection and replacement of the oil level switch. Refer to the
applicable TSBs as listed below:
•

11-145-14R for 2013-2014MY Legacy and Outback models

•

11-148-14R for 2014-15MY Forester models

•

11-149-14R for 2013-14MY Impreza 2.0L and XV Crosstrek models

•

11-150-14R for 2012MY 2.0L Impreza models

VERY IMPORTANT: If a vehicle is presented where no repairs for actual oil consumption are
required but an oil consumption test was completed, BOTH the applicable ECM reprogramming file
for Oil Level Detection AND the updated oil level switch MUST be installed before releasing the
vehicle to the customer.
NOTES:
SOA now highly recommends connecting the Midtronics GR8 Diagnostic Battery Charger to the
vehicle and utilizing the Power Supply Mode feature anytime a vehicle control module is being
reprogrammed. Once the GR8 is connected to the vehicle, as long as the battery is fully charged, it
takes less than 3 minutes to boot-up the charger, select the Power Supply Mode, and have the battery
voltage stabilized and ready for reprogramming.
VERY IMPORTANT: This information is applicable to the Midtronics GR8 Diagnostic Battery
Charger ONLY. It does not apply to any other brand / type of “generic” battery charger whatsoever.
ONLY the GR8 and its Power Supply Mode feature has been tested and approved by Subaru of
America, Inc. (SOA).
If the GR8 indicates the vehicle’s battery must be charged, charge the battery using the GR8 before
proceeding to reprogram the vehicle while using the Power Supply Mode.
•

Control module failures as a result of battery discharge during reprogramming are not a
matter for warranty. Should any DTCs reset after the reprogramming update is performed,
diagnose per the procedure outlined in the applicable Service Manual.

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION
Effective immediately through April 21, 2017, ALL affected vehicles, regardless of mileage and
warranty start date will be covered for these repairs. All inspections and repairs must be completed prior
to the April 21, 2017 expiration date of this Warranty Extension.
IMPORTANT: In the event a vehicle has exceeded 100,000 miles prior to April 21, 2017, please
contact the Subaru Claims Team at: 1-866-782-2782 to register the mileage PRIOR to claim submission.
After April 21, 2017, this coverage extends the vehicle’s Powertrain Limited Warranty as it applies
to excessive engine oil consumption to 8 years / 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date
providing additional coverage for some vehicles. All inspections and repairs must be completed prior to
expiration of this 8-year /100,000 Warranty Extension.
Please submit for reimbursement as you would any other covered repair using the claim coding below.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

Page 19

For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited and / or Powertrain Warranty period or covered by an
active Subaru Added Security Powertrain, Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the
following claim information:
LABOR DESCRIPTION

VEHICLE MODEL

LABOR
OPERATION #

TRANSMISSION
TYPE

LABOR
TIME

FAIL
CODE

Oil Consumption Test
Including: Oil and Filter
Change, Oil Leak and PCV
System Inspection

ALL

B295-308

ALL

0.5

AFU-86

5MT

11.5

2011-2013MY Forester
2014MY Forester
Shortblock
Replacement includes Oil Level
Switch Replacement

2015MY Forester
(MT ONLY)
2013-2014MY Legacy
& Outback

B295-341

2012-2013MY Impreza 2.0L &
2013MY XV Crosstrek 2.0L
2014-2015MY Impreza 2.0L & XV
Crosstrek 2.0L
(MT ONLY)

Oil Consumption Test
Completed, No Engine Repair
Required, INCLUDES Oil Level
Switch Replacement

4AT

12.0

CVT

12.0

6MT

11.6

6MT

11.6

6MT

11.5

CVT

12.0

CVT

11.1

5MT

10.8

5MT

10.8

2013-2014MY Legacy & Outback
2.5L

0.9

2014MY Forester 2.5L

2.0

2015MY Forester 2.5L w/ MT

2.0

2012-2013MY Impreza/Crosstrek
2.0L

B295-303*

ALL

1.9

2014-2015MY Impreza/Crosstrek
2.0L w/ MT

1.9

2011-2013MY Forester 2.5L***

0.2

AFT-48

AFY-86

Adjustment of Oil
Level While Waiting for Repair
Parts*

ALL

B245-232*

ALL

0.2

BAW-88

ECM Reprogramming to
prevent False Warning
Lamp Illumination

ALL

C295-305**

ALL

0.3

**

* 1 quart of motor oil (SOA635045) may be claimed with this labor operation.
** This labor operation may only be claimed ONE TIME in combination with ONE of the “B”
operations (and corresponding Fail Code) listed above.
*** Models WITHOUT Oil Level Switch

Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

Page 20

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.

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.

Bulletin Number: 02-157-14R; Revised: 04/13/21

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.

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