Do it yourself oil change...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13
Do it yourself oil change...
I'd like to do the oil changes on my WRX myself, but I'm worried about how to raise the car. I have a two ton jack, but I was thinking about getting those ramps type things instead. Also can anyone tell me what is the socket size for the oil drain bolt so I buy the right one?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 673
From: Lake Forest, Calfornia
Car Info: 2004+ Two Tone Green
i thought it was 17 mm. if you raise your car up raise the entire car up evenly. if the front is up you wont drain all of the oil as some of it will sit in the back of the oil pan.
hey
when i changed my oil, i didnt even raise it up. even lowered. just reach under with a 17mm, and make sure to have a catch pan. the filter is right in front, and is easy to get off. just make sure to wear some sort of glove, and to slide the catch pan under the filter when you remove it. it will leak oil regardless, and gloves keep the oil from getting all over you. i use sergical gloves.
also remember to let the car cool off! you probably already knew that, but just had to throw that in..
josh
when i changed my oil, i didnt even raise it up. even lowered. just reach under with a 17mm, and make sure to have a catch pan. the filter is right in front, and is easy to get off. just make sure to wear some sort of glove, and to slide the catch pan under the filter when you remove it. it will leak oil regardless, and gloves keep the oil from getting all over you. i use sergical gloves.
also remember to let the car cool off! you probably already knew that, but just had to throw that in..
josh
Guest
Posts: n/a
having worked my way through the shop as a rat, i was sometimes forced to do changes on the ground. you can do it. its much nicer to do it on a lift... but the ground is an option. and once you get good at it, you can take the drain plug and the filter out w/o getting any oil on your arm. takes skill though!! and letting it cool off a little is pretty good idea, just in case you do get it on your arm, or worse in your eye. that hurts!
-PJ
-PJ
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
From: Lawrence, Kansas
Car Info: 19' Impreza Sport Manual / 99 Miata / 13' OB
The bolt is 17mm unless you have an OEM oil temp guage, then it's 21'' (with a wire sticking out of it) Have a look here for more details:
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...=&threadid=171
With the WRX the plastic shield is a little in the way of the oil filter. When I do a friends WRX I usually remove the shield but if it were my car I'd use a razor knife or something and just cut a small section just below it out to make it quicker and easier.
Peaty
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...=&threadid=171
With the WRX the plastic shield is a little in the way of the oil filter. When I do a friends WRX I usually remove the shield but if it were my car I'd use a razor knife or something and just cut a small section just below it out to make it quicker and easier.
Peaty
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
From: Lawrence, Kansas
Car Info: 19' Impreza Sport Manual / 99 Miata / 13' OB
Guest
Posts: n/a
yeah, like i said, Legs. are so much easier. i don't know why they didn't do this on all the cars. the foresters are the worst in opinion. you have to take out 4 bolts and 2 clips just to get the thing down. i know some mech. who have sort of "forgotten" to put them back on the regulars cars. not me though.
peaty you ever change the oil on an H-6?? gotta love the chain rattle when you start it up. first time it happened i freaked out! SOA told us it can last anywhere from 30 secs, to 2mins. and its normal!!
-PJ
peaty you ever change the oil on an H-6?? gotta love the chain rattle when you start it up. first time it happened i freaked out! SOA told us it can last anywhere from 30 secs, to 2mins. and its normal!!
-PJ
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
From: Lawrence, Kansas
Car Info: 19' Impreza Sport Manual / 99 Miata / 13' OB
Yes, I've changed it 4X now. I still fill the filter with a little oil even though it's sitting on it's side when installed. The oil will soak in the filter and not leak out. Still it's not a nice noise to be sure.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13
Okay, I just found the oil drain plug and filter on the WRX. I didn't realize how easy it is to access. I have read the initial removal of the filter and oil drain plug is tough. How tough is it? If it's too difficult, I probably would want a shop to do it first, then I'll do it afterwards on and use that fumoto valve.
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
From: Lawrence, Kansas
Car Info: 19' Impreza Sport Manual / 99 Miata / 13' OB
Subaru Oil filters are installed at the factory by a Sumo Wrestler and the oil drain plug is painted in place. If you have a good filter wrench and maybe a braker bar for the drain plug you should have no problem. Just remember to get the old drain plug crush washer off. It's there but tough to see since it's also painted black (see my link for pics)
Peaty
PS do it yourself the first time then you'll more appriciate each subsiquent time
Peaty
PS do it yourself the first time then you'll more appriciate each subsiquent time