Anyone know what this is?

[69Roadrunner]

I've been stalking the forum for years since buying an '06 Forester (2.5 AT) with 114K for my daughter. I've always been able to find the help I needed. . . until now.

I'm doing the TB and following the excellent advice found here like replacing all the pulleys and tensioner, front crank seal (yes, 2 of the oil pump screws were loose) and water pump. Disassembly went well and as I was doing the general cleanup I thought I was pulling on a piece of RTV but found I was pulling on this little foam strip. I removed the alternator and A/C bracket to get a better look but now I'm at a standstill. This is on the water pump side of the front of the engine. The engine has no problems with leaks and I want to keep it that way. It has a shape to it and looks like it is to keep dirt out of somewhere rather than fluid inside. Is it important? Should I try to put it back? Or should I just cut it off there and forget it?

 

[69Roadrunner]

Well I figured Subaru didn't just put it there for no good reason. As I looked at the old water pump I realized that whatever it was ran across one of the flat surfaces on it. I started taking things apart and found that it is some sort of gasket/spacer that runs along the bottom of the tensioner bracket and over to the oil pump. I RTV'd it in place and reinstalled the bracket. I torqued the three bolts on the bracket to about 21 ft.lbs with blue Loctite.

Does anyone know what the correct torque should be for the tensioner bracket and the A/C compressor bracket?

 

[Flyingj]

Well I figured Subaru didn't just put it there for no good reason. As I looked at the old water pump I realized that whatever it was ran across one of the flat surfaces on it. I started taking things apart and found that it is some sort of gasket/spacer that runs along the bottom of the tensioner bracket and over to the oil pump. I RTV'd it in place and reinstalled the bracket. I torqued the three bolts on the bracket to about 21 ft.lbs with blue Loctite.

Does anyone know what the correct torque should be for the tensioner bracket and the A/C compressor bracket?

I found the same thing on my ej253 legacy. I figured it was something the factory used on initial assembly. I couldn’t find a parts reference for it. I left it out.