oil change basics

[Tim]

Getting ready to change my oil for the first time. Any pointers. But first is the oil bolt righty tighty lefty loosey. I cant get it to turn. LOL

[Superu264]

Ugh.. this really shouldn't be in the DIY section, mods are gonna hunt you down good! :smt066

btw its still righty tighty lefty loosey

[Wiscon_Mark]

:violent2:

[Tim]

You wouldnt believe how freaking tight that damn thing was screwed in there!!! Sorry Mods for the incorrectly placed post. OOPS

[Wiscon_Mark]

Hey, a "sorry" is a lot better than we get.

Usually it's some sorta snotty response as if it's my fault that they didn't pay any attention to my sticky :lol:

[Plays_with_Toys]

Uncap the cap that you add oil into. Put bucket/bin under oil drain bolt, loosen. Let it drain for 20-35 minutes. Replace copper gasket, tighten bolt back in.

Place bin under oil filter, loosen oil filter a little tap it/wiggle it a little to get the upper most oil out with out scalding your hands, then unscrew and poor into the bin. Clean sealing surface with a rag/paper towel.

Take prefered motor oil, and with the cap on, turn the bottle upside down, open the cap and there will be residual oil on the cap. Dip your finger in that, run it along the seal of the new oil filter until the entire seal gets a little bit of oil and it shines up a little. Screw on oil filter until it seats, then an additional 1/4 turn more.

Poor a quart of prefered motor oil in, check for leaks at the drain bolt, tighten if necessary, and keep adding until you get close to the amount you need. Then start checking the oil, adding a little, check again.

Replace cap and take oil to the nearest auto store to recycle it.

[phi11]

don't forget the new crush washer!!!!!!!

[ivwarrior]

Since the oil filter on MOST Subies sits vertically with the hole up, it's easy to pre-fill the filter before installing it. That way, the engine doesn't have to wait for the filter to fill before oil gets to critical parts....

I also have a pan that I can have the drain bolt out, and the filter loose/off and let both drain at the same time.

[sheepdog]

:violent2:

All fixed ;)

[Wiscon_Mark]

Thanks Sheepie.

[jey]

Yeah, some car technicians when they put the oil drain plug back on they just stick the impact wrench up to it and fire away, tightening it way too much. So if you're doing your own oil change for the first time it could be interesting.

My only advice is to use a bigger breaker bar. Or borrow an impact wrench. Sometimes, to get it loose you might have to tighten it a tad first. Use a 6-point socket - don't strip the bolt.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I use a 2' breaker bar for mine.

[sheepdog]

I did oil changes at a subaru dealership for a summer. People would come in with all kinds of stuff, too many or zero crush washers, overtightened drain plugs, and one time we had an outback with an oil filter that had been put on with an impact wrench. Thats right, an oil filter. It was cross threaded, and way too tight. It took so long, we ended up having to cut the oil filter off, dremel the remains, and have someone re-thread the mount. Rediculous.

[d1giPhux]

^ Jesus.. that sounds like fun. LOL. Where do you guys usually get your filters from / what kind? Do you buy your crushed washers at the same place? Do auto stores even carry crushed washers.. ive never even tried to buy one there before.

And yea.. DONT forget the crushed washer.. its bad news =/

[Wiscon_Mark]

Subaru dealership isn't a bad place to get either.

[d1giPhux]

Hmm, my subaru dealership sucks majorly here.. so id rather not support them. I have bought them there before, but i was hoping someone knew where else i could get this stuff. I know i can get the filter at the local advancedauto or whatever.. but im not sure about the crushed washers. Prolly can.. eh, i'll just have to try.

[phi11]

Hmm, my subaru dealership sucks majorly here.. so id rather not support them. I have bought them there before, but i was hoping someone knew where else i could get this stuff. I know i can get the filter at the local advancedauto or whatever.. but im not sure about the crushed washers. Prolly can.. eh, i'll just have to try.

just go to a different dealer and get a ton of them!!!!

(I have seen them at pep-boys, oh nose)

or order them on internets!!!!

[Wiscon_Mark]

www.subarugenuineparts.com (http://www.subarugenuineparts.com)

They sell 6 packs I believe.

[ivwarrior]

^ Jesus.. that sounds like fun. LOL. Where do you guys usually get your filters from / what kind? Do you buy your crushed washers at the same place? Do auto stores even carry crushed washers..


I admit I haven't checked every parts store, but I've never seen the Subaru size washers in a auto parts store. I bought a big pile of them from the dealer when I worked there, and still have one or two left..... I'll buy more from the dealer, it's easier than trying to find them elsewhere.

As to filters, I use Purolator filters (they make the OEM ones, or at least last time I looked at an OEM one, it said Subaru on one side and Purolater on the other) and generally watch for them to go on sale and buy a half dozen or so at a time.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Wix is a good brand. They make the K&N gold filters, which I have been satisfied with. But I'll buy Wix from now on, knowing that it's just the K&N name :lol:

[d1giPhux]

Are they the same price, or cheaper then the K&N? I usually try to get K&N if im not totally broke. Guess i'll have to hit the dealer up and see if i can get some crushed washers. They are real jerks here.. and there are no other ones around.. not for 40 mins or so driving.. so yea. =] Thanks guys.

[Wiscon_Mark]

oh, they'd be cheaper. You pay extra for the K&N name.

[sheepdog]

The washers are cheap, and any dealer will have boxes of them. Just buy a bunch at a time and don't deal with them for a year or so haha.

[d1giPhux]

^ Yea, i think im just going to go over to subaru and hassle them for a bunch of them! hahah. they usually sell them in packs of 6 right? Might as well just pick up like 2 bags or something. how much do they sell for? Sounds good guys =] thanks!

[jey]

Hmmm, I just reuse the washer. Should I be replacing it?

[Wiscon_Mark]

Hmmm, I just reuse the washer. Should I be replacing it?

Yes.

[Huffer]

Replace the washer when you want - it is cheap insurance though. I'm onto my 5th oil change with the same washer. It's getting tougher to get the drain plug out though... :lol:

[Plays_with_Toys]

Hmmm, I just reuse the washer. Should I be replacing it?

I didn't the first time, and it was fine, the second time I did it, it leaked. So I've been replacing ever since.

They are like 60 cents at the dealership. I just bought a hand ful and keep them in the center console ready for my next oil change.

[sheepdog]

Replace the washer every time. You might get lucky one or several times, but it is designed to be replaced every time the drain plug is removed.

[Tim]

Well, I dont know what to say about the washer, there wasnt one that I saw on the bolt. Its not leaking without one. Would a place like Walmart tire and lube even bother with that?
Tim

[Wiscon_Mark]

Well, I dont know what to say about the washer, there wasnt one that I saw on the bolt. Its not leaking without one. Would a place like Walmart tire and lube even bother with that?
Tim

Probably not.

And I would never take it there. Or to any Jiffy Lube type place. They frequently forget to put oil back in.

[Huffer]

Probably not. The crush washer is designed to stop you over cranking the drain plug, and to make it easier to get off later.

[ivwarrior]

Well, I dont know what to say about the washer, there wasnt one that I saw on the bolt. Its not leaking without one. Would a place like Walmart tire and lube even bother with that?
Tim

Probably not, which is just one of the reasons you should never trust your car to any "quickie lube" type place.

[d1giPhux]

Yea, they actually do bother with that type of stuff. They are dumb, and a rip off, but they do it. They prolly have a computer that tells them all the stuff they will need when doing an oil change on a specific type of car. ON the other hand, im a dumb ass, and the first time i changed my oil on my other suby.. i DID NOT use a crushed washer.. and luckily for me, all the oil drained out when i was driving.. or most of it.. and then i got a nice dry ass front main seal =/ That cost me about $600 to fix.. all because i am a dumb ass. I was use to changing honda's oil filters, where there IS no crushed washed. While this is just a guess to what happened, im assuming its WHAT happened, since i went from a perfectly working car, to a broke ass car after doing an oil change. Almost scares me a little now, because i want to change the oil tommorow. :oops:

So.. crushed washers.. WHY are they needed?

[Wiscon_Mark]

The crush washer is designed to stop you over cranking the drain plug, and to make it easier to get off later.

[d1giPhux]

Yea.. i saw that? But what about leaking? All its made for is over cranking the drain plug? Isnt that kinda weird? Hmm, so how come they leak when you dont put the washer back on? Also, if its not leaking, and washer is not on.. its prolly cause u just cant see the washer, and its stuck to the drain bolt or something.

I'm trying to figure out if thats how i killed my front main seal.. by not putting the stupid washer on! :lol:

[Wiscon_Mark]

If the washer is tired out, then it's probably going to let a bit by it.

[ooberdoob]

i've gotta ask, what's the big damn deal about the f'ing crush washer...

seriously.

i've never changed mine and it's just perfectly fine.

50,000 miles of the same one. perfect.

[Huffer]

Good for you! :roll: :lol:

[Plays_with_Toys]

i've gotta ask, what's the big damn deal about the f'ing crush washer...

seriously.

i've never changed mine and it's just perfectly fine.

50,000 miles of the same one. perfect.

you just jinxed yourself. Wait for the next oil change, just wait.

[sheepdog]

yea, feel free to continue to use that same one. Personally, I'll spend the 50 cents extra for the peace of mind :roll:

[rougeben83]

*laughs at all the oil dran bolt users*

Fumoto drain valve ftw. :grin:

[ooberdoob]

...and all the cars i work on, day in and day out that either don't have one or are never replaced....

we do not have a problem with leaks.

we do not replace washers, there's no damn point unless some retard damaged it.

it's another internet myth. i'm starting to dislike forums for reasons like this. making a big deal about the little shit. so much bull shit just to find things of use.

:roll: <--one right back to all of you.

[sheepdog]

:roll: and back at you. Why would a subaru dealership (which i worked at a while, mind you) be so adamant about replacing it if it was no big deal? People on this forum have just said that they had them leak before when not replaced. If you're shop doesnt replace them, you're stupid, for 60 cents you can avoid someones oil draining out all over the place and coming back looking for you to replace their motor. In fact, if i knew a place wasn't going to do something the producer says is neccessary, I wouldn't be bothering with your shop in the first place.

But go ahead, be "hardcore" and dont replace it. I'm just saying its a stupid thing to be lazy about.

If its really so hard to do, get the drain valve. I just ordered mine :wink:

[d1giPhux]

I want a drain valve.

Do you think that before when i didnt put the crush washer on, and lost a bunch of oil, thats why my front main seal went? I think so.. but im not really sure.

[Wiscon_Mark]

:popcorn:

[ooberdoob]

if it makes you happy well then enjoy it.

i see no reason to replace something that is in perfect working order.

as for the dealership: when you have a metric shit ton of the washers on hand and corporate all way up your ass about procedure, of course they will be adamant about it.

as for out little hole in the wall shop: we're not gonna stock every washer for every import created. if there was an issue with our procedure it would be rectified and updated from then out. clean it, inspect it, if all is well, then reuse it.

...and fine if you don't want to being your car to our shop, we'll survive off all of the customers that have their alfas, ferraris, lamborghinis, porsches, audis, bmws and mercedes brought to us from as far away as NY, MA and CT cause my boss knows exactly what he's doing.


edit: note: i never said do without when your car calls for one. if it's not broken, don't fix it.

[ooberdoob]

I want a drain valve.

Do you think that before when i didnt put the crush washer on, and lost a bunch of oil, thats why my front main seal went? I think so.. but im not really sure.

i've been tempted by the drain... but the filter is right next to the plug on my particular car... so i figured nah.

[d1giPhux]

^ I kinda agree, i bet subaru just replaces shit cause they can, and charge u for it. Kinda like how when u take your car in and they see a rattling heatshield and want to charge you $200 for a new one! :roll:

[sheepdog]

wow. you're so hardcore man.

I didnt realize your shop works on ferraris, so that must mean they know shit about subarus, and about cars in general. The most retarded dealership I've ever dealt with was an aston martin/mercedes/porsche service center. Please, don't try and dazzle me, I dont give a shit.

/thread, im done arguing

[d1giPhux]

LOl i think u guys needa drink some beeeers and relaxxxx. this thread went from oil change, to all out fist fight! LOL :lol: cheer up guys, its an oil change. =] I'll be doing one tommorow.. i'll let u know how it goes! hahaha =]

edit : id like to get a drain, that way i dont gotta bust the bolt off everytime! hahah. im lazy. plus it would make it more entertaining!

[sheepdog]

drain ftw. we put them on all the drift cars TSF built, it makes it 10x easier

[Wiscon_Mark]

okay, yeah, that's about time to stop arguing.

Put it this way, they're cheap, it doesn't hurt to replace them, Subaru reccomends you do, and you should.

/washer discussion.

[d1giPhux]

i think i'll get a drain for sure. When you put them on, do you reccomend filing down some of the threads to get the max oil drain, or even without doing that, do you think the oil really 'puddles' in the bottom of the oil pan?

[sheepdog]

Ours were pre-fit for the depth of the oil pan on the SR20s. I would say yes, you want anything that settles in the bottom of the pan to be drained out.

[rougeben83]

i think i'll get a drain for sure. When you put them on, do you reccomend filing down some of the threads to get the max oil drain, or even without doing that, do you think the oil really 'puddles' in the bottom of the oil pan?

I did it on mine, but to be honest, it's like .01 quarts of oil vs. the 4 and a half you're putting in. You'll probably get the same amount of oil left over if you don't warm up the oil and drain with the old plug.

+1 on the washer. The bottomline is that on some Subbies, they loose oil with the old washer, while on others it's perfectly fine to reuse. I think the previous owner on my car just reused the washer when his mechanic did the oil changes. There isn't any way to tell whether it'll leak until it does. That whatever percentage that does leak makes Subaru list a new washer per oil change just to cover their butts. And it's 60 cents, it's not big deal to throw a hissy fit about on either side as to reuse or not. Purchase 10 and you got enough to supply you for 2-3 years.

If your's doesn't leak when you reuse, all the more power to you, but if it does, stfu and change the stupid washer and don't be a bitch about it.

How's that for a compromise :evil:

[d1giPhux]

I still wanna know why my oil filter leaked all to hell when i installed it once. I remember now that it wasnt the drain plug actually.. but i think it cause my front main seal to go.. so that was the MOST expensive oil change ive ever done =/ Any suggestions for doing my oil change this time? Pray the the gods of good luck? I guess i just got really screwed on that one, i feel like a complete ass =/

[ooberdoob]

-i hate the fucking cars, don't get me wrong. i was dazzled in the beginning, till i had to start fixing them. i was coming from the more expensive the car, the more expensive the fuckup.

i love my subaru :lol:

-that was a retarded argument. i have no problem admitting that :tongue4: *i like tater tots*

-i could use a beer, yes.

-maybe your seal just had a small tear in it? or it was twisted a little... random little stuff.


sorry about the flame war sheepdog, i meant no harm...

[d1giPhux]

Yea, its weird tho.. i installed the new filter and all that jazz, then it just leaked all the oil out, and then i took it to a shop to be looked at, and the front main seal was gone =/ LOL just my luck. almost scared to change the oil tommorow.. but it should all be well! i hope! :grin:

[Wiscon_Mark]

I don't see how you changing the oil and the main seal going out is connected...

You mean the seal on the oil filter?

[sheepdog]

sorry about the flame war sheepdog, i meant no harm...

Its ok doobie, I got way more worked up about it than was really called for by the situation. I'll admit it was kinda funny the largest argument ive ever gotten into with someone on SLi was about oil changes hahaha. I meant no harm either, and sorry about dissing your shop for no reason :cry:

[blackgtbeauty]

:love3:

[d1giPhux]

No, im trying to connect to two, and wonder if thats how it happened. I'm talking about the front main seal.

I changed my oil, then i drove about 20 mins, and realized all my oil was leaking out from around the filter.. or so it looked.. but oil was everywhere.. so it was hard to tell. Im pretty sure it was from the filter area through. Then i took the car to a shop after putting more oil in, and they said my front main seal was gone. So i was wondering if by somehow screwing up the filter, and leaking all the oil out, it caused my front main seal to dry up and break... thus causing me more trouble.

I'm just a bit scared to do the oil now.. because last time i did it.. seems like i broke something. i DID forget the crush washer.. but i dont think this is why the oil leaked out. I'm really not sure WHY it did.. i just want to make sure it NEVER happens again.. since it caused me more hell. :evil:

edit : glad to see u guys made up.. did u take my suggestion and have some beers :lol: :cool: glad we can all get along, over OIL changes! =]


okay.. im not saying anything.. since i seem to have a problem of fucking oil changes up! :oops: :lol:

[sheepdog]

I doubt you messed up the oil change at all, just coincidence. The main seal went, leaked oil all over hte bottom of the motor, including the filter area.

[rougeben83]

If you mean the oil seal on the pan, it was just coincidence.

Though I can tell you I was loosing about .5 qt/ a week for a month. I was worried that I was burning oil or something...turned out I didn't tighten the oil filter tight enough :oops: .

Also, I think it helps if the oil pan/oil is warm when you do the change (per the manual). It not only helps get the oil moving out of the pan faster, it probably helps when you screw the drain plug back in (espcially with an old washer) since when you crank it down, the bolt's torqued down closer to being tight as when the engine is running. Since metal expands when it gets warmer, the problems some of those reusing their washer may be that the plug isn't pressing the washer tight enough against the drain hole as the engine comes to operating temp.

[Plays_with_Toys]

Just make sure anytime you do an oil filter that the previous oil filter's seal is completely removed from the mating surface, and also always remember to lubricate the new seal just a little You want it to absorb some oil to prevent oil leaking out.

[Huffer]

I'm getting even faster now - did an oil change in 15mins flat, and didn't change the washer (tonight). Beat my best time by 10mins, I must have been hungry tonight!

Will be buying OEM filters and washers next month, went with a Bosch 3310 filter today. *shrug*

[Wiscon_Mark]

My dad can brag about the 7 minute oil change he did on the subie :lol:

[jey]

Any why is a quick oil change such a good thing? Aren't those last few drops of oil that come out the dirtiest drops of oil? Don't we want to let it drip as long as we can stand to?

[Plays_with_Toys]

does that include setup time too? like grabbing tools and such? And I agree. I let it drip, walk away and do something for 20 min come back.

[Huffer]

15mins + 1 min setup time. Ramps + oil pan + assembling materials.
Car goes on ramp, drain plug is loosened and draining begins into pan, in the mean time I begin prefilling the oil filter.
By the time I am halfway through that, I can start taking the old filter off.

By the time the filter has drained, the pan has slowed to a very intermittent drip, and the new filter is full.

Drain plug area is cleaned, plug reinstalled, then filter area is wiped with fresh paper towels. New filter goes on, fresh oil poured from a 5qt container, so I can easily measure the 4.5qts that are going in.

Quickness isn't what you aim for, but I think I use the 15-20mins pretty well.

[Huffer]

does that include setup time too? like grabbing tools and such? And I agree. I let it drip, walk away and do something for 20 min come back.

Tools? Like a socket wrench + socket, oil pan, filter wrench? Then yup!

[Wiscon_Mark]

If it's cold out, and you're chaning oil in the snowy lawn, quickness is very important.

And yes, that includes setup time, because you can do a lot of stuff when you're draining the oil.

[rougeben83]

does that include setup time too? like grabbing tools and such? And I agree. I let it drip, walk away and do something for 20 min come back.

Tools? Like a socket wrench + socket, oil pan, filter wrench? Then yup!

I can do an oil change in 5 minutes flat if I want to brag. No tools, no lift :grin: Just flick the valve, unbolt the oil filter, let the pan drain while prepping the new filter, screw filter, close valve, open hood, fill up with new oil. :lol:

Then again, why would you want to? "If you don't have the time to do it right, do you have the time to fix it..."is one motto I like to go with when doing work on the car.

[Tim]

LMAO Did I start a shit storm or what??? So far so good on my oil change. Didnt replace the crush washer, but I will next time. I do still have a question, tho. I put one of those 5 quart containers of oil in my car. That wasnt too much, was it. Yep, I know, I am a dumbass and just assumed that was the right amount since that was what all the oil changes have said were put in.

[Huffer]

4.5qts is the recommended amount.

[warrior]

I don't have the OEM bolt anymore.. I'm using that magnetic drain plug that came with an aluminum washer.. i'll see how much metal shaving this magnet catches in the oil!

I hate oil changes in the winter :(

[Wiscon_Mark]

4.5qts is the recommended amount.

It says 4.6 quarts in the owner's manual, but it really depends on the oil filter, and how much you got out of the pan as well.

[Huffer]

why does it depend on the oil filter? it's the amount added to the system, not the oil pan.

[Wiscon_Mark]

why does it depend on the oil filter? it's the amount added to the system, not the oil pan.

Well, you run the engine before you take a reading, right? Otherwise you won't get an accurate reading.

I always add 4 qts then turn the engine on for 30 seconds and allow the system to get the fresh oil into every place in the engine, then shut it off and add the last .4-.6 qts (that's usually the range).

[Huffer]

That still doesn't have anything to do with the oil filter.
I prefill the oil filter, install it, and do the rest of what you do. Still comes out at 4.5qts give or take a few drops.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Well, I guess if you prefill it...but then add that amount to what you put in the resirvoir and that's what I get :lol:

The only thing I do is put a little oil on the gasket on the filter (just rub it around with my finger, gloves on of course).

[Tim]

So, is my car gonna blow up or what with the extra oil?

[Wiscon_Mark]

If you overfill it, you'll blow a seal and oil will probably leak (slowly) onto the exhaust, making it smell bad, but you won't wreck the engine.

Our shop changed our oil during a service on something and overfilled it once, that's how I know.

[rougeben83]

"accurate" and "subaru dipstick" should not be used in the same sentence :grin: As long as you're within the bars when the engine is semi-warm (like 15 minutes after shutdown) or below the notch right after you turn it off, you're fine.

Mark, how bad of a smell are we talking about here, you're making me paranoid that I have blown seals now :oops:

[Huffer]

The only thing I do is put a little oil on the gasket on the filter (just rub it around with my finger, gloves on of course).

That goes without saying, during the filter pre-fill.

Overfilling by a small amount isn't a big deal - especially on dino oils that break down quicker, so they lose a bit of volume. You could drain it out again, and pour it back in. :lol:

[Wiscon_Mark]

No, I meant major overfilling, like by a quart or more. I dunno how much the shop put in when the seal busted, but I accidentally put 5 quarts in one time (just didn't think to stop when I was pouring in the last quart bottle :roll:), and I hadn't had any problems from that.

[Huffer]

Ah, gotcha. I do know fellas that overfill by half a quart (so 5qts total) prior to trackwork.

[d1giPhux]

Well i should be doing my oil change tommorow. Got a little lazy and put it off for a few days this week! I dont know if i got an oil filter strap wrench thing around, so hopefully the filter comes off easy enough.. if not.. oh well, i'll have to walk my ass to the store and buy one! :lol:

[rougeben83]

Well i should be doing my oil change tommorow. Got a little lazy and put it off for a few days this week! I dont know if i got an oil filter strap wrench thing around, so hopefully the filter comes off easy enough.. if not.. oh well, i'll have to walk my ass to the store and buy one! :lol:

You can do the ghetto way and punch a screwdriver through the side of the filter (off to the center so you won't go through anything important) and twist the oil filter a little to break it free :lol:

[Plays_with_Toys]

You can do the ghetto way and punch a screwdriver through the side of the filter (off to the center so you won't go through anything important) and twist the oil filter a little to break it free :lol:

Just don't burn yourself and have the bucket underneath because it'll gush.

[Huffer]

I dont know if i got an oil filter strap wrench thing around, so hopefully the filter comes off easy enough..

Easier option than the screwdriver, is to grab one of those handy kitchen grip & twist rubber discs... or a C-clamp works well too.

I use a C-clamp whenever a strap wrench won't get into the filter space (like on a Toyota Previa).

[d1giPhux]

Hahah, yea, i was going to go the ghetto way of stabbing it.. ive done that before! :lol: But yea, i might have to try to kitchen utility way as well, because either way.. im getting it done today, and im too damn cheap to spend another $15 on a stupid oil filter tool.. when i already have one.. just dont know WHERE it went too! =] Thanks for the ideas guys.. hope it goes well today!