first oil change on my WRX

rex_ruthor · 01-30-2002, 03:37 PM

Just did my first oil change. Id gone over the recommended interval, but the oil was actually quite clean. Not gritty or sludgy, and I didnt find any metallic particles on the end of the drain plug.

I installed a Fumotovalve, too. Seems like it will make things easier. Someone had posted on another thread that they thought the Fumotovalve would allow heavier deposits like sludge and metallic shavings to stay inside the pan because the threads were taller. I compared them, and actually, the FumotoValve threads are shorter by almost 3/16, so no worries there.

That filter *was* on pretty damn tight, like I heard some people post. I had a bit of a time with it, hit it with a wrench a couple times and still couldnt break it free, but I put on a latex glove and that did the trick. The real problem is the unnatural gripping position you are forced to assume to get your fingers around the filter; there is a limited degree through which you can turn your hand without hitting obstructions. Anyone, now its hand tightened so I will never have a problem getting it off.

Put in Kendall 5W-30 and a OEM Subaru filter (for which I paid $6 at Livermore, no leaks, runs fine. Might switch to Redline and a Wix filter when I hit 7500 miles someday. (probably 2003 at the rate I drive the car)

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odyss3y · 01-30-2002, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rex_ruthor
That filter *was* on pretty damn tight, like I heard some people post. I had a bit of a time with it, hit it with a wrench a couple times and still couldnt break it free, but I put on a latex glove and that did the trick. The real problem is the unnatural gripping position you are forced to assume to get your fingers around the filter; there is a limited degree through which you can turn your hand without hitting obstructions. Anyone, now its hand tightened so I will never have a problem getting it off.

I just did my 1st change as well (well first time in my garage, dont have time to take it in). The filter was a bi^%$ to get off, but compared to my Jeep, its great! I had to use a filter wrench w/ a swivel neck to get it to be tight enough (damn tiny filters). I put on a filter I got from Kragens. Fit perfectly... I think it was $8 or somethin' and it seemed to be "the latest and greatest" and fit every other Subaru out there...

I put Mobil1 in so hopefully that will help as well. My oil temp gauge said it was at 60 degrees C so it was a lil' warm for my taste but other than that, everything went well.

Took me about 5 minutes to do all the work, but I let it sit for quite a while (an hour) to get most of the other junk out.

Does anyone else have any other ideas with this?

wrxguy · 01-31-2002, 12:40 AM

I did the fumoto-valve deal too and like you opted not to go with the synthetic and went with Castrol 10-30. or was 10-40 I ferget over 40

I did the job at my Fathers house in Eureka a few weeks back and he has all the goodies. Dad saves all his tools and used to be a serious car and motorcycle fan once upon a time. He had one of those plastic cap kind of oil filter removers that fit perfectly , and yes it took a nice grunt twist from my arm to ge the suka loose too. This plastic cap didnt need a swivel though. Just a rachet and wala.. So i will buy the same cap. I didnt tighten the new OEM filter on like with Gorilla torque though

Wether it be fact or fiction the guy at the Subaru shop (Miata's IN Sac) said that the OEM is not the same as the purloator that everyone else uses that fits just the same.. Says the OEM has more filter innards. Well id thought I would pass this information on without my customary charge of Two cents

rex_ruthor · 01-31-2002, 03:19 AM

Ive heard a similar comment about the filter on another thread, but havent verified it or not. FWIW, the Wix filter (NAPA label I think), advertises more square inches of filter media than the Purolator L14460, but I havent found a spec for the OEM filter anywhere.

The thing that concerns me is the small exterior size of the filter. With almost 5 quarts fluid, I expected a larger filter. A 5.0 liter mustang has 5 quarts as well, and the filter is relatively huge compared to our chubby little filter. It might be related to flow rates and pressure, not to the fluid volume. dunno though.

01-30-2002, 03:37 PM	#1
rex_ruthor Scooby Newbie Member#: 8934 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Livermore, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan 5MT Platinum Silver Metallic	first oil change on my WRX Just did my first oil change. Id gone over the recommended interval, but the oil was actually quite clean. Not gritty or sludgy, and I didnt find any metallic particles on the end of the drain plug. I installed a Fumotovalve, too. Seems like it will make things easier. Someone had posted on another thread that they thought the Fumotovalve would allow heavier deposits like sludge and metallic shavings to stay inside the pan because the threads were taller. I compared them, and actually, the FumotoValve threads are shorter by almost 3/16, so no worries there. That filter was on pretty damn tight, like I heard some people post. I had a bit of a time with it, hit it with a wrench a couple times and still couldnt break it free, but I put on a latex glove and that did the trick. The real problem is the unnatural gripping position you are forced to assume to get your fingers around the filter; there is a limited degree through which you can turn your hand without hitting obstructions. Anyone, now its hand tightened so I will never have a problem getting it off. Put in Kendall 5W-30 and a OEM Subaru filter (for which I paid $6 at Livermore, no leaks, runs fine. Might switch to Redline and a Wix filter when I hit 7500 miles someday. (probably 2003 at the rate I drive the car) * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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01-31-2002, 12:40 AM	#3
wrxguy Scooby Newbie Member#: 12189 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sacramento California Vehicle: 2002 WRX sedan Silver	I did the fumoto-valve deal too and like you opted not to go with the synthetic and went with Castrol 10-30. or was 10-40 I ferget over 40 I did the job at my Fathers house in Eureka a few weeks back and he has all the goodies. Dad saves all his tools and used to be a serious car and motorcycle fan once upon a time. He had one of those plastic cap kind of oil filter removers that fit perfectly , and yes it took a nice grunt twist from my arm to ge the suka loose too. This plastic cap didnt need a swivel though. Just a rachet and wala.. So i will buy the same cap. I didnt tighten the new OEM filter on like with Gorilla torque though Wether it be fact or fiction the guy at the Subaru shop (Miata's IN Sac) said that the OEM is not the same as the purloator that everyone else uses that fits just the same.. Says the OEM has more filter innards. Well id thought I would pass this information on without my customary charge of Two cents

01-31-2002, 03:19 AM	#4
rex_ruthor Scooby Newbie Member#: 8934 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Livermore, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan 5MT Platinum Silver Metallic	Ive heard a similar comment about the filter on another thread, but havent verified it or not. FWIW, the Wix filter (NAPA label I think), advertises more square inches of filter media than the Purolator L14460, but I havent found a spec for the OEM filter anywhere. The thing that concerns me is the small exterior size of the filter. With almost 5 quarts fluid, I expected a larger filter. A 5.0 liter mustang has 5 quarts as well, and the filter is relatively huge compared to our chubby little filter. It might be related to flow rates and pressure, not to the fluid volume. dunno though.