I'll be doing the first oil change on my 02 WRX soon and I'd like to know if anyone has a part # for an aftermarket oil filter, or is it still dealer-only? Thanks.

i ordered my oil filter from subaruparts.com. They have the official subaru oil filter there.

not sure the part number though.

~V

Thanks, I may get the OEM filter but I was trying to find out if there is one available yet from Fram, Purolator, etc.

Purolater oil filter - L14460
OEM oil filter - 15208AA060

get one for a 2.5RS, it's the same

Thanks all.

Fram PH3593A

Purolator Premium Plus 14460

The filter that you buy from Subaru is made by Purolator. It says so on the filter. I just buy the Purolator part, #L14460.

It's true that Purolator makes the oil filters that Subaru sells. And it's also true that the Purolator L14460 fits perfectly. However, the Purolator brand filter is not identical to the Subaru brand filter. I think the Subaru brand filter has a slightly better construction and that's what I use. I can't see the point of scrimping when the Subaru part is only about $5.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/impreza/images/oilfilter.jpg

Get one of these too you won't regret it:

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/impreza/oildrainvalve.php

I'm not sure what the part number is, but the K&N oil filter has a cross reference to a Purolator oil filter. So if you know the part number to the purolator, you can find out which k&n to use. Of course, it takes time having to look at all of the boxes until you find the right one.

-Matt

K&N HP-1004. It's really heavy (so it must be good!) :D

www.autobarn.net has them, but you have to fill in their special order page.

http://www.knfilters.com/images/oilfilter.jpg

Just found this post because I was doing a search for the oil filter part number and figured that I would warn some of you who obviously are not aware.

**Stay away from Fram filters at all costs. They are the worst piece of crap filter made.** ;)

just changed my oil today. Used the subaru oil filter off that i got from subaruparts.com.

fits perfectly (15208 AA060). Thing is, the one that came off was a blue one and about 1/8 inch shorter than the replacement. It was 15208 AA024.

Just put about 15 miles on it..seems good so far.

Also installed my Fumoto Valve. Very nice piece of equipment.

~V

...and the modding continues... :D

Just changed my oil for the first time today, also!!!

Question: I replaced the crush washer as Subaru recommends, BUT...

The crush washer I got from the dealer doesn't really look like it fits quite right. I haven't had any leaking (knock on wood) but it seems off center. Is this okay? Anyone?

- ryan

God I love crawling under my car! Would be even better if I had a lift!!!

crush washer? was that the little metal thingy that came with the filter? where did you put it on at? i got one...and wasn't sure where to put it...so i put it in the most logical place i could see...the pipe thingy coming down from the center of where the oil filter tube comes down. Seemed to fit ok and no leaks at all...

~V

The crush washer goes on the oil drain plug. Not anywhere by the oil filter

hmmm....doh.

:(

well,..hehe..too late now i guess. I'll just have to monitor the oil filter and make sure nothing leaks off it.

I installed a fumoto valve today as well, so i'm not even using the normal drain plug.

thanks for the info!

The blue oil filter is different because it is a Japanese made part. We get filters made by Purolator in the good 'ol US of A. :)

As a side note, I think Subaru used a gorilla to tighten my oil filter and drain plug. :D

Originally posted by NotoriousWRX
The blue oil filter is different because it is a Japanese made part. We get filters made by Purolator in the good 'ol US of A. :)

As a side note, I think Subaru used a gorilla to tighten my oil filter and drain plug. :D

Ah! thanks for the filter clarification. :) As far as gorilla.that's funny cause i think the same one was used to tighten my plug and filter too!

~V :D

Whats up with this crush washer? where do i get one other than the dealer? maybe i'll just go to the dealer and get jacked for my oil filter/crush washer...

j

Best thing to do is to order a dozen crush washers from one of the dealers that sell OEM parts at a discount.

www.newsubaru.com or www.subaruparts.com or sugar. They're around 40 cents each.

I got a dozen from Sugar not too long ago the Part number is 11126AA000 Also, here is a handy tool for getting off very stuborn oil filters. You can fit a 3/8" ratchet on it. The tighter you go the more it clamps down on the filter. I got it at a local auto store:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1471714&a=11079034&p=50769499

Peaty

Originally posted by Trip
Fram PH3593A

dont' they use this for honda too????
i might be wrong

Yup, the Fram 3593A is used by Honda - and by Isuzu in the Rodeo/Passport too.

Try FRAM XG3593A, 70% biger than average subaru oil filter.

I'm not impressed with EOM/Purolator filter. After 3000 miles, the oil looks pretty dirty. (I used Mobil One oil and no stop and go traffic.)

Hey peaty i got the same oil filter wrench you do haha... it does a very fine job of taking off the oil filter...

(See NotoriousWRX's post)

Up front I'll admit I ordered a case of Subaru filters and a dozen crush washers shortly after I got my WRX. That said, what exactly is the problem with Fram filters? Where did you get your information? I've used them almost exclusively on all my vehicles:

*A Corolla Diesel with almost a quarter million miles
*A Toyota Truck with close to 200K miles
*An NX2000 with almost 200K miles

The only reason I ordered the SOA filters was that I was ordering other parts anyway and they were inexpensive by the case (about $4 each).

I remember several years ago Consumer Reports did an oil filter test. Guess which one was the clear winner? Fram! Now unless Fram has been bought out and moved to China and changed their specs I would expect that they're still decent.

I trust CR because they are unbiased-they have no advertising and don't take any money from any industry groups or manufacturers. Please back up your statement.

Don't shoot the messenger (although I had always had excessive valve tap on my Talon and Stealth if I used Fram's standard filters, which would go away if I used the factory filter, or purolator. Had problems with WIX too.)

http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

Mobil 1 M1-104 works

Amsoil SDF-20 might work, the only problem is that the oil cooler has a larger diameter than the seating surface of the block without the cooler, so the Amsoil might not fit tightly enough since it originally was for N/A Subees.

OK, here is the deal on the oil filter. The updated correct part number is 15208 AA060. This is not the same # that is on the original blue filter installed at the factory. If I buy them at my dealer they sell them to me for $6.00 ea if I buy four or more at a time. I think I'll use stock ones untill the warranty is up or untill I void the warranty. The safety wire hole in the K+N does appeal to me. I did have a filter come loose after about a thousand miles one time, big mess.

The washer that comes with the filters. Pry off the old washer from the drain plug. Put the new washer on the drain plug, I do it so that the concave, dented in, part of the washer is visible after I put it on the drain plug. That means I put the flat side of the washer on first on the drain plug. Seems to work OK this way.

Using ramps seems like less work than jacking up the car. If you use a ramp on one side then your car will be tilted to drain more oil out. The problem is most ramps don't reach the wheels before they hit the air dam.

Does anyone use magnetic drain plugs anymore? Where can I buy one for the engine? Does anyone know if the tranny and rear diff already have mag plugs.

I've been using Castrol GTX 10-40 winter or 20-50 summer, for over 30 years with great results. I plan on doing the same with the WRX, changing oil every 2K miles.

Gumpajim

Every 2000 miles seems a little early to me... I guess too soon is better than too late. As far as oil weight goes, the manual gives you a range to use... I'm using 5w-30.

I confirmed today that the Amsoil SDF-20 fits the WRX.

I hope not to be the first to do this, but here are facts and no opinion, I'll let you decide...see attached graph.

After some practice, I can do a WRX oil change without ramps.

I've been using OEM filters/washers, and 5w30 GTX.
I buy the filters and washers in bulk (ie 4 or 6 at a time).

Right before WRX No 1 went to the great coke can factory in the sky, I had put the Syntec Blend in (9000 miles).

No 2 is only at 1300 miles or so, so still on factory oil/filter till 3000 miles.

Glenn

but here are facts and no opinion
"Facts" from Amsoil's marketing department = opinion. Unfortunately, all the information available on Amsoil products is supplied/compiled by Amsoil themselves. Caveat Emptor.

I second Jon's post. I'd like to see some truly OBJECTIVE data.

What is the source of that graph??

SAE= Society of Automotive Engineers
These guys make the rules. HS806 (AKA J806) listed in the table is a test the SAE created in order to evaluate oil filters. I would feel comfortable using the Amsoil, Mobil 1 or the Pure One, go here for some info on the Pure One http://www.pureoil.com/faq.htm
The Pure One part number for the WRX is PL14460. Can anyone confirm if this is the same filter Purolator makes as Subaru OE(the Pure One specifically, which is Purolator's high-end filter)?

OK, now we're getting somewhere! But who did the actual testing--the SAE or one of the filter mfr's?

Funny thing. Today I was at Fred Meyer looking to pick up a new oil filter, and I could have SWORN that the Purolator number was 14459. I'll have to see what's on the car now. Anyway, the 14459 and 14460 are nearly identical. The 59 has red plastic inside the filter visable through the smaller holes around the center one. The 60 is metal there.

After two years of not driving a Subaru I still remembered 3593a. :)

Oh, and I never had any problems with the base Fram filter.

The Purolator PureOne has a red silicone pressure relief valve that is visible at the bottom of the filter. That relief valve is designed to keep more oil "up" in the engine to allow less wear and noise at startup from the valvetrain. The L14460 and OE Subaru filter (by Purolator) do not have this silicone relief valve. After checking a Purolator catalog and not finding the 14460 listed under PureOne, I called them and was told they do not make a PureOne 14460 (PL14460). Ford had many problems with valvetrain noise on 2.5 V6 Contours and eventually had Purolator package the PureOne filter for their Motorcraft line.

Originally posted by Barry
After checking a Purolator catalog and not finding the 14460 listed under PureOne, I called them and was told they do not make a PureOne 14460 (PL14460).

:confused: Hmm, I got that part number by doing a search on their website.

Originally posted by scoobybrande


:confused: Hmm, I got that part number by doing a search on their website.

:confused: :confused:
I just went to their website and sure enough they list the PL14460. I will call again later this morning and get a tech guy on the line and try to straighten this out. I would prefer using the PureOne.

Barry

Are you sure that thing is accurate? the napa gold filter is a wix... and i see a big difference in number... both of those filters are identical except the logo... How can a fram beat a wix filter and be under a napagold? they are the same filter.... the graph is also very vague... how do they base the numbers? how many cycles(tests) were run? 1 cycle? 2? 3? i think the graph is bogus

Originally posted by shogunate83
Are you sure that thing is accurate? the napa gold filter is a wix... and i see a big difference in number... both of those filters are identical except the logo... How can a fram beat a wix filter and be under a napagold? they are the same filter.... the graph is also very vague... how do they base the numbers? how many cycles(tests) were run? 1 cycle? 2? 3? i think the graph is bogus


ANd it got beat by the cheapest line of filter from FRAM:confused:

Just got off the phone with a knowledgeable tech at Purolator.
The DO make the 14460 in PureOne. It was introduced this past year. Now I need to find them.

Update- Pep Boys will special order them.

Barry

Fred Meyer ONLY carries the PureOne. They've dropped the regular Purolators. Right now they've got 15% (IIRC) off coupons all over the oil filter section.

I REALLY REALLY dig the blue filter. It's neat. $4.99 - 15% or so.

Gumpaji-
Do NOT use 10w-40 in your WRX. It's too thick to lube the engine properly. The tolerances inside a modern engine are too tight to use good 'ol 10w-40. 5w-30 is the recommended weight, with 10w-30 being an option if you live in a warmer climate.

horatio102-
Purolator's 14459 is the cross-referenced equivalent to Fram's 3593a. Fram doesn't make a Subaru-specific oil filter like Purolator does. Yet another reason to avoid them.

If anyone wants to know, AC Delco makes very good oil filters. Their Subaru filter numbers are PF2192, and are Subaru-specific, unlike Fram.

Do NOT use 10w-40 in your WRX. It's too thick to lube the engine properly.
Not again. PLEASE don't post this sort of nonsense as someone who doesn't know better might believe it.

Originally posted by Bottom Feeder
horatio102-
Purolator's 14459 is the cross-referenced equivalent to Fram's 3593a. Fram doesn't make a Subaru-specific oil filter like Purolator does.

What do you mean? If you go to Wal-Mart, and look in a FRAM reference book, it listed 3593A for all Subaru with 2.5L. :confused: ;)

I think what he mean is that the 3593a fits the Subaru, but it wasn't made for it. I guess 3593a and 14459 were made to Honda specs, which happen to work for the Subaru, but the 14460 is made to Subaru specs.

Not that it really matters, I never had a problem with Fram filters on my old cars.

I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with having one filter cover two (obviously more, but you know what I mean) applications, but if Purolator has two different filters for two different cars, and Fram only has one to cover them both, I would wonder what corners Fram is cutting in order to make their filter suitable for both. Sure, physical dimensions, thread size, o-ring size, etc. are the same, but something in the guts has to be different. Any cross reference book I've seen lists the 14459 as the equivalent to the 3593a, and not the 14460.
The way I see it, the 14460 is the right filter, and Fram really doesn't have one that is made specifically for Subarus. They have one that fits, and it works, but Purolator must be going something differently (better?) that makes their 14460 more suitable. What that is, I'd like to know. Bypass valve spring pressure? Presence of/lack of an anti-drain back valve? If it's something minor, I guess it really wouldn't make much of a difference, but this, on top of Fram's nosedive in quality recently, has made me a Purolator convert after years of using Frams.

Not again. PLEASE don't post this sort of nonsense as someone who doesn't know better might believe it.
Okay, Jon. You just flamed me. Care to back it up with something? You're the one big on posting facts, so post some. :rolleyes:

Well, I guess I should ask you the same thing: Where does it say to avoid 10W40? Even the U.S. owners manual (written by the lowest common denominator for the lowest common denominator) allows for heavier weights than the xW30 when used under severe conditions. EVERY person on this board falls into the severe conditions parameter, unless you drive your car only on the highway always under the speed limit.

Gumpajim drives a WRX, not an RS. With a turbo, there's even more need for adequate oil protection at high temps. In Europe, where they've had WRXs (or Impreza Turbos) for a while, they run 15W50 for hard driving!

Really though--where did you hear that 10W40 was a bad choice for hard driven Subarus?

Does anyone have an on-line source for the Purolator PureOne (PL14460?)

I spoke with a Purolator Engineer a few years ago about the 14459/14460 filters and how the Fram one was a substitute for either one. He told me what the difference was between the Purolator numbers.

The 14460 has a flatter base, so the Subaru male threaded pipe will feed further into a 14460. The 14459 has a recessed base, and while it WILL work on a Subaru, the number of threads holding it on is marginal. He supposed the Fram 7593A is probably more like the 14460 in base design, and the only problem would be for any non-Subaru application that had a longer threaded fitting and would need more turns to fully seat it.

And I suspect that if you use good oil, change it every 3-4 months or 3000-4000 miles that you'll never have a lubrication problem and change the filter at the same intervals, that you'll never have a lubrication problem.

Originally posted by Sophocles
Does anyone have an on-line source for the Purolator PureOne (PL14460?)

http://www.pureoil.com/NewFiles/Where_to_buy.htm

Take a peak around their list. The very first one has the regular Purolator filters listed, but you can probably get the Pureones too.

Originally posted by Sophocles
Does anyone have an on-line source for the Purolator PureOne (PL14460?)

I ended up letting Pep Boys special order me a half dozen. I had trouble finding them on line. ;)

Barry

I think I said it already in this thread, but the local Fred Meyer doesn't carry the base Purolator filters anymore, just the PureOne, at least for most of the different applications. I think there are some of the cheapies left, but generally they're all PureOne.

OK, here's a little twist to your Oil Filter discussion.. My WRX is due for it's 10,000 KM oil change right now, so I thought I'd drop by the dealership and pick up a filter. Beleive it or not, they had two to offer. One was 6 bucks and the other was 10. One had Subaru Canada labelling, and the other was one in the picture on the first page of this thread. The guy said it was the 'japanese-spec' filter, and was better. I inspected them both, both looked like filters, so I bought the more expensive one.

Anyone know what might have been the difference?

Originally posted by Dave_MacKinnon
OK, here's a little twist to your Oil Filter discussion.. My WRX is due for it's 10,000 KM oil change right now, so I thought I'd drop by the dealership and pick up a filter. Beleive it or not, they had two to offer. One was 6 bucks and the other was 10. One had Subaru Canada labelling, and the other was one in the picture on the first page of this thread. The guy said it was the 'japanese-spec' filter, and was better. I inspected them both, both looked like filters, so I bought the more expensive one.

Anyone know what might have been the difference?

hmmm...japanese spec filter with canadian labeling...hmmm...

Sorry, no wait..

The first filter had a Subaru Canada label: $6.00

The second was the one shown in the pic on page 1, and he called it the Jap-spec filter...:$10.00

I probably got taken... ahhahha..

$0.02

Go to Checker, pay the $10 and get the K&N. Great filter.

HP-1004.

Also fits my S2000 and my g/f Rodeo! (Rodeo doesn't get the K&N, though :p )

Next time I am 'down south', I will pick up a few K&N oil filters..

Not too popular up here in the great white north..

Dave MacKinnon

I know this thread is old, but I stumbled upon it.

In Canada, Subaru of Canada has tried to give us some less expensive "OEM" alternatives. This is their "Six Star" brand. They have done this for oil filters, rotors and pads. I'm not sure what else.

I cut open a few filters some time ago (still in my garage). One was the Subaru Six Star filter. It turns out that it is made by FRAM! Paper end caps for one thing. The filter element was a bit shorter than the other filters I opened up. There were fewer pleats. And the pleats were crooked and unevenly spaced. I was NOT impressed. Piece of junk in my opinion. The other Canadian OEM filter is the Subaru Purolator filter (same as the States). Unfortunately, I did not have one of these on hand to cut open.

I'm from a long time Honda background, and my wife drives a Honda van. I cut open one of their OEM filters for the heck of it. Turns out to also be a FRAM filter, but it looked a lot better than the Subaru Six Star one. More pleats, longer element, pleats not crooked. In fact, I think it is just a ToughGuard (?) filter basically. Not quite sure. The octagonal paper end caps looked like pics I've seen of FRAM filtes.

Many Japanese cars take the same filter. That is, they have the same thread (M20 x 1.5 IIRC) and sealing ring diameter. The Honda and Subaru are 'basically' interchangeable (if that matters to anyone).

Commuter (Toronto area)

Parts America (http://www.partsamerica.com) . Just enter pl14460 in the part number search box, do the search, and enter your zip on the next screen. It goes for $5.99 USD.

Oil Filter comparison:
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

Oil Comparison:
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html

Originally posted by White4drWRX


dont' they use this for honda too????
i might be wrong

Totally correct...My brothers 87 Accord, 88 Prelude, 92 Civic use the exact same filter as my 2000 RS....So now we are buying them in bulk and just storing them in our garage..

Boy this thread sure is old-
I've just been getting the Purolator L14460 at the parts store. Supposedly there is a Pure One version of this filter although I have yet to find a store that carries it in stock.

anyone have ANY clue on how to get the oil filter off? I can't freaking get it to budge.. already drained out my oil so i don't wanna put new oil in there so i can move the car some place else to get under there.

Are you changing oil for the first time? They can be pretty tight from the factory.
A regular band-type filter wrench should work as long as you have the car on a lift or ramps for access. In a pinch you could jam a large screwdriver through the side of the filter and use it as a lever although that really should not be necessary.

Hi Rebellion, all.

Use a big pair of channel-lock pliers on those stubborn filters. The screwdriver trick works fine, but often results in oil going everywhere.

ByeBye! S.

Originally posted by obyone


Totally correct...My brothers 87 Accord, 88 Prelude, 92 Civic use the exact same filter as my 2000 RS....So now we are buying them in bulk and just storing them in our garage..

So can I really use Honda OEM filters on my 2002 WRX?? I ask this since I can get free Honda OEM filtesr :D