Good god! What did you guys do to get the oil drain plug off the first time?

DVN428 · 04-30-2003, 03:57 PM

I'm currently doing my WRX first oil change and the oil drain plug is screw on soo tight. You guys got any tips on removing it? I cant imagine how hard the oil filter will be to remove...

-Dave

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BAM · 04-30-2003, 04:05 PM

11/16th socket

DVN428 · 04-30-2003, 04:07 PM

i thought it was 17mm socket?

Brad Pittiful · 04-30-2003, 04:17 PM

i have the dealer do my oil changes...i get them for free

DVN428 · 04-30-2003, 04:18 PM

so i guess i just gotta use brute strength eh?

O2-GGA · 04-30-2003, 04:34 PM

Went to the Pinebarrens and jumped it a couple of times

J/k
I had no prob taking it off

BAM · 04-30-2003, 04:44 PM

Mine was on tight. The 11/16th on the 03WRX fit the best. Putting it back on, it leaked until I put a little muscle behind it. In any case, it was a good enough reason to make a life purchase and just buy a socket set.

sil0nt · 04-30-2003, 04:48 PM

For my first oil change, being all upside down and turned around, I was actually tightening the plug. I think that took me a good 20 minutes to figure out. After that it wasn't so hard to get off

The Oil filter was harder than the plug, though. I ended up getting a oil filter wrench, and then it came off with a little bit of muscle.

sdseagles · 04-30-2003, 05:39 PM

A) Metric. B) Liquid wrench is your friend. C) Don't take the car back anywhere where this can happen again

DrD · 04-30-2003, 06:13 PM

When I first removed the plug it was a little harder than normal, but I assumed that was just paint on the threads or something.

Make sure you use a new crush washer (they cost ~$3 for a pack of 5 from the dealer)

It takes a 17mm if I remember correctly (most things, with the exception of the lugnuts, I bet, are metric on a Subaru)

spanner · 04-30-2003, 06:18 PM

You may want to consider a Fumoto valve. $25 will get you a nifty device that lets you start draining the oil within seconds.

The drain plug in my RAV4 was easy, but the wagon's was so hard to remove that I installed a Fumoto valve at my last oil change. 2300 miles later and there have been no leaks. Oil change nirvana is now mine!

-Mark

Zola · 04-30-2003, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DrD
It takes a 17mm if I remember correctly

Yep, definitely 17mm. I just finished changing my oil 10 minutes ago.

blukestrel · 04-30-2003, 07:35 PM

the plug with the oil temp sensor is a whole different deal- a regular socket won't do, because there is a wire coming off it! I bought a big (19 mm?), hard to find flat wrench, which barely works. Who's the genius at Subaru who put the sensor on the drain plug!

ShotgunTC88 · 05-01-2003, 01:53 AM

Gentlemen,

For the future.

17mm Socket and wrench,

Put it on as straight down as you can get it.

Whack it once with a deadblow or rubber hammer.
(Make sure lefty loosey)
Bingo!!

Shotgun

SUPER RAD · 05-01-2003, 02:39 AM

yeah the trick is to use a 17mm socket, and hammer it on there, you need to get that thing on there straight and deep so it holds good.

once its on the bolt real straight and real tight, I had to sit in the front of the car with my legs under the front bumper and pull real hard (lefty loosey). it FINALLY came off

gellar · 05-01-2003, 03:32 AM

Absolutely... the rubber mallet (hammer) own3z.

The nice thing about the WRX is that the drain plug and ESPECIALLY the oil filter are relatively easy to get to. I remember getting to the filter in my old prelude made me want to cry.

gellar

armand1 · 05-01-2003, 03:43 AM

The thing to do is pick up a set of two 1/2" drive breaker bars from www.harborfreight.com for about $14 total. Buy a Kobalt deep socket for your lug nuts, and a Kobalt normal socket for the oil drain plug ($3 or so each on closeout sale). Harborfreight also has its cheapo 1/2" drive torque wrench on sale for $10. For $30 total, you will never have a problem loosening the drain plug or lug nuts, and you'll have your wheels and drain plug torqued on right (no stripped lugs!). So cheap, who cares if they get stolen from your trunk/cargo area?

bigdweeb · 05-01-2003, 08:19 AM

After I bought my 00 RS used, I took it to Jiffy Lube for the first oil change since I was extremely busy and needed it done. I just changed it for myself a couple weekends ago, and those munkeys had the oil drain plug in there so tight I needed a breaker bar and some muscle to get it off.

Rebellion · 05-01-2003, 08:51 AM

the oil filter is easy? what? my OBS is easy, the WRX is far from easy. there's absolutely no room to get a filter wrench up under there.

DVN428 · 05-01-2003, 09:04 AM

Thanks for the tips guys. I finally got it off yesturday using a breaker bar.

The oil filter was suprisingly easy (i just used sand paper for grip). Only thing i didnt liek was the fact that i had to remove the under cover. Did you guys take off the bottom cover to remove the oil filter? I've read somewhere here that some of you dont even take the bottom cover off. I tried that yesturday and i dont see how that is possible. I couldnt even fit 2 hands under there. And if i could, wouldn't the oil just spill on the under cover?

-Dave

cnk · 05-01-2003, 10:11 AM

You don't need to take the undercover off to change the oil. I just reach under with one hand and undo it. If you just loosen it a little, the oil will start to leak out. I usually stop there and let the oil drain from there. When it has slowed/stopped, I undo the filter and replace it. You do get oil all over your hands, but it's not too bad once you've done it for a while.

Calvin

Sea Dragon Rex · 05-01-2003, 10:50 AM

I'm with Armand1. I had a 1/2" breaker bar to break it loose the first time. I think it is because of the coating that they use for the oil pan and drain plug.

Anyway, remember to torque it to 32.5 ft. lbs. when you put it back on.

spanner · 05-01-2003, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cnk
You don't need to take the undercover off to change the oil. I just reach under with one hand and undo it. If you just loosen it a little, the oil will start to leak out. I usually stop there and let the oil drain from there. When it has slowed/stopped, I undo the filter and replace it. You do get oil all over your hands, but it's not too bad once you've done it for a while.

Calvin

If you're not going to reuse the filter canister, you can also take a hammer + nail and punch a hole in the side or bottom of the filter, and let it drain that way. With careful placement, you can aim the oil stream right into your catchpan!
You also won't get your hands as dirty, at least until you grab the filter to take it off. The upside is that you won't have uncontrolled spillage all over your hands. The downside is that draining the filter will take a while, so you might want to start with it, then pull the drain plug.

Rebellion - Have you thought about a cap-style oil filter wrench and attach to a 3/8" rachet? The regular kind that grab the side of the filter are very hard to work with in the space that you have.

-Mark

armand1 · 05-01-2003, 03:44 PM

Quote:

WRX is far from easy. there's absolutely no room to get a filter wrench up under there.

Yes, try one of those 3-armed hinged ones that tighten harder the more you turn them. Put one of those on a 3/8" drive ratchet and you're set.

Hondaslayer · 05-01-2003, 10:00 PM

Actually the 04's have a full frontal underguard unlike the 02-03 half undergurad.

04-30-2003, 03:57 PM	#1
DVN428 Scooby Specialist Member#: 26226 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Parsippany, NJ Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX WR Blue	Good god! What did you guys do to get the oil drain plug off the first time? I'm currently doing my WRX first oil change and the oil drain plug is screw on soo tight. You guys got any tips on removing it? I cant imagine how hard the oil filter will be to remove... -Dave * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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04-30-2003, 04:05 PM	#2
BAM Scooby Newbie Member#: 34230 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Titus Pullo is a thug.	11/16th socket

04-30-2003, 04:07 PM	#3
DVN428 Scooby Specialist Member#: 26226 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Parsippany, NJ Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX WR Blue	i thought it was 17mm socket?

04-30-2003, 04:17 PM	#4
Brad Pittiful Scooby Specialist Member#: 34931 Join Date: Apr 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: A Town Called Malice Vehicle: . is his name ∂³∑x²	i have the dealer do my oil changes...i get them for free

04-30-2003, 04:18 PM	#5
DVN428 Scooby Specialist Member#: 26226 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Parsippany, NJ Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX WR Blue	so i guess i just gotta use brute strength eh?

04-30-2003, 04:34 PM	#6
O2-GGA Scooby Specialist Member#: 23222 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Norman, OK Vehicle: 02 Prodrive wagon WRB	Went to the Pinebarrens and jumped it a couple of times J/k I had no prob taking it off

04-30-2003, 04:44 PM	#7
BAM Scooby Newbie Member#: 34230 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Titus Pullo is a thug.	Mine was on tight. The 11/16th on the 03WRX fit the best. Putting it back on, it leaked until I put a little muscle behind it. In any case, it was a good enough reason to make a life purchase and just buy a socket set.

04-30-2003, 04:48 PM	#8
sil0nt Scooby Specialist Member#: 30584 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Vehicle: 05 STi Black 07 S4 Avant Black	For my first oil change, being all upside down and turned around, I was actually tightening the plug. I think that took me a good 20 minutes to figure out. After that it wasn't so hard to get off The Oil filter was harder than the plug, though. I ended up getting a oil filter wrench, and then it came off with a little bit of muscle.

04-30-2003, 05:39 PM	#9
sdseagles Scooby Newbie Member#: 17296 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Boca Raton, FL Vehicle: 2002 WRX Platinum Silver Metallic	A) Metric. B) Liquid wrench is your friend. C) Don't take the car back anywhere where this can happen again

04-30-2003, 06:13 PM	#10
DrD Scooby Guru Member#: 22412 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque, NM Vehicle: 2012 Legacy 2.5GT Ice Silver Metallic	When I first removed the plug it was a little harder than normal, but I assumed that was just paint on the threads or something. Make sure you use a new crush washer (they cost ~$3 for a pack of 5 from the dealer) It takes a 17mm if I remember correctly (most things, with the exception of the lugnuts, I bet, are metric on a Subaru)

04-30-2003, 06:18 PM	#11
spanner Scooby Specialist Member#: 18791 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: 2002 WRX wagon Silver!	You may want to consider a Fumoto valve. $25 will get you a nifty device that lets you start draining the oil within seconds. The drain plug in my RAV4 was easy, but the wagon's was so hard to remove that I installed a Fumoto valve at my last oil change. 2300 miles later and there have been no leaks. Oil change nirvana is now mine! -Mark

04-30-2003, 07:35 PM	#13
blukestrel Scooby Newbie Member#: 23047 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sierra Foothills Vehicle: 02 WRX Wagonette! Skink (not kestrel) blue	the plug with the oil temp sensor is a whole different deal- a regular socket won't do, because there is a wire coming off it! I bought a big (19 mm?), hard to find flat wrench, which barely works. Who's the genius at Subaru who put the sensor on the drain plug!

05-01-2003, 01:53 AM	#14
ShotgunTC88 Scooby Newbie Member#: 30970 Join Date: Dec 2002	Gentlemen, For the future. 17mm Socket and wrench, Put it on as straight down as you can get it. Whack it once with a deadblow or rubber hammer. (Make sure lefty loosey) Bingo!! Shotgun

05-01-2003, 02:39 AM	#15
SUPER RAD Scooby Newbie Member#: 20911 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Boulder. CO	yeah the trick is to use a 17mm socket, and hammer it on there, you need to get that thing on there straight and deep so it holds good. once its on the bolt real straight and real tight, I had to sit in the front of the car with my legs under the front bumper and pull real hard (lefty loosey). it FINALLY came off

05-01-2003, 03:32 AM	#16
gellar Scooby Specialist Member#: 31047 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Bay Area, CA Vehicle: 11 135i Sedona Red	Absolutely... the rubber mallet (hammer) own3z. The nice thing about the WRX is that the drain plug and ESPECIALLY the oil filter are relatively easy to get to. I remember getting to the filter in my old prelude made me want to cry. gellar

05-01-2003, 03:43 AM	#17
armand1 Scooby Guru Member#: 10309 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle, WA Vehicle: '02 OBS 2-tone! '95 Montego Miata	The thing to do is pick up a set of two 1/2" drive breaker bars from www.harborfreight.com for about $14 total. Buy a Kobalt deep socket for your lug nuts, and a Kobalt normal socket for the oil drain plug ($3 or so each on closeout sale). Harborfreight also has its cheapo 1/2" drive torque wrench on sale for $10. For $30 total, you will never have a problem loosening the drain plug or lug nuts, and you'll have your wheels and drain plug torqued on right (no stripped lugs!). So cheap, who cares if they get stolen from your trunk/cargo area?

05-01-2003, 08:19 AM	#18
bigdweeb Scooby Specialist Member#: 31035 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Boston Vehicle: 13 Ford Explorer 13 Mazda3 Skyactiv	After I bought my 00 RS used, I took it to Jiffy Lube for the first oil change since I was extremely busy and needed it done. I just changed it for myself a couple weekends ago, and those munkeys had the oil drain plug in there so tight I needed a breaker bar and some muscle to get it off.

05-01-2003, 08:51 AM	#19
Rebellion Scooby Guru Member#: 8069 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Indian Trail, NC Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX Sedona Red + Mud!	the oil filter is easy? what? my OBS is easy, the WRX is far from easy. there's absolutely no room to get a filter wrench up under there.

05-01-2003, 09:04 AM	#20
DVN428 Scooby Specialist Member#: 26226 Join Date: Oct 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Parsippany, NJ Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX WR Blue	Thanks for the tips guys. I finally got it off yesturday using a breaker bar. The oil filter was suprisingly easy (i just used sand paper for grip). Only thing i didnt liek was the fact that i had to remove the under cover. Did you guys take off the bottom cover to remove the oil filter? I've read somewhere here that some of you dont even take the bottom cover off. I tried that yesturday and i dont see how that is possible. I couldnt even fit 2 hands under there. And if i could, wouldn't the oil just spill on the under cover? -Dave

05-01-2003, 10:11 AM	#21
cnk Scooby Guru Member#: 10757 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 2013 BRZ Limited 6MT DGM	You don't need to take the undercover off to change the oil. I just reach under with one hand and undo it. If you just loosen it a little, the oil will start to leak out. I usually stop there and let the oil drain from there. When it has slowed/stopped, I undo the filter and replace it. You do get oil all over your hands, but it's not too bad once you've done it for a while. Calvin

05-01-2003, 10:50 AM	#22
Sea Dragon Rex Scooby Specialist Member#: 14002 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon WRB 2-73 914 2.0, 74 914 2.0	I'm with Armand1. I had a 1/2" breaker bar to break it loose the first time. I think it is because of the coating that they use for the oil pan and drain plug. Anyway, remember to torque it to 32.5 ft. lbs. when you put it back on.

05-01-2003, 10:00 PM	#25
Hondaslayer Brain Stew Moderator Member#: 4562 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Auburn, WA Vehicle: 1998 Forester,lifted 1975 VW Westfalia tin top	Actually the 04's have a full frontal underguard unlike the 02-03 half undergurad.