Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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19285 messages, Last post on Jun 03, 2013 at 10:22 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV

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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

#10126 of 19285 Re: Changing Oil/Oil Filter on a 2001 VDC by miksmi

Aug 13, 2001 (8:59 am)

Hi Anthony,

First, let me compliment the accurate title of your post. Unfortunately, many don't bother with an accurate title.

Adding to Ross's good suggestions,

1. Locate a re-use or recycling facility (check with your municipality) and two empty 1-gallon containers. Milk jugs work but they're flimsy and when the ambient temperature drops, partially filled jugs will collapse, crease, crack, and leak.
2. Use disposable gloves, available at a hardware or auto store.
3. Use a 17mm socket to remove the drain plug. As Ross said, from the factory, it's on tight and requires a bit of effort to loosen.

Per vdchawk "Subaru Outback VDC (Station Wagons Board)" Aug 4, 2001 7:37pm , the H-6 3.0l engine uses the same filter as the SVX engine, Subaru part# 5165109. Confirm this with your dealer.

Here are oil change instructions. Also read your owner's manual (it has a diagram of the drain plug location). Don't overfill the engine; use a partial bottle if necessary. I fill per the manual specification, no more, no less; then check on a level surface. It's always right on the money.

Edmunds oil change, video << .
Impreza oil change, photo << Tatsuki Matsuyama .
Learn2 oil change << .
eHow oil change << .

Once you confirm the VDC oil filter part number, please post it here to help someone else.

Cheers,

..Mike in Maryland (location added per suggestion in the VDC topic)

#10127 of 19285 Oil Changes on H-6 by evilizard

Aug 13, 2001 (9:10 am)

I'd stick with the Subaru Filters. Someone once said that it was 18mm crush ring. If cost is a concern I would try one of the internet sites and just stock up on filters and crush rings (your auto tranny plug uses it too). The Subaru branded filters are not significantly more expensive than your generic knock offs. The H-6 filter is a different filter than the H-4. Auto parts stores are not always keen on this little detail.

The key to selecting the right oil is ambient temp. Hotter temp = Thicker oil. I think that 10w-50 would do anything you could throw at it. It doesn't make that much of a difference though. Putting in heavier oil is not going to damage your engine or anything and the bay area doesn't have temperature extremes that would push lighter oil beyond its limit. Some arguments could be made for optimal gas milage but I don't know if it makes that much difference. The critical thing is to change the stuff regularly.
You might consider synthetic after 8K or so miles.

Before you even get at the oil system you will need to remove that bottom tray. You'll need something like a screwdriver for that deed. Get a LARGE oil drain pan. The oil comes out in a nice ballistic arc (while little bits drip). Don't forget your magnet to fish the drain plug out of the oil drain pan after you drop it in.

#10128 of 19285 Oil Change Bottom Tray by originalbitman

Aug 13, 2001 (9:17 am)

So does the H6 not have a removable access cover for the oil filter like the H4 in the Legacys? This is the small cover with 3 snap out pins that simple slides out rather than removing the complete plastic tray?

bit

#10129 of 19285 H-6 has the tray by evilizard

Aug 13, 2001 (9:25 am)

Yup, that's whats on there.

#10130 of 19285 Thanks for the engine vibration info. by dragonfly238

Aug 13, 2001 (9:49 am)

Brekke, evillizard, rangerron7 - thanks for the engine vibration info. I'll ask about the engine mounts and if that doesn't work maybe I can come up with the $$$ to replace the car. Cheers Dragonfly

#10131 of 19285 Whiring, whining noise update by nygreg

Aug 13, 2001 (10:25 am)

OK, as I mentioned last week - I noticed a low whiring, whining, whatever noise at idle on my H4 OB. I checked all the fluids and they are fine. Sound is coming from the tranny area underneath and the best way to describe it is it sounds like a fuel pump. Does anyone know where the pump is located? Typically it's by the gas tank. I am wondering if this is normal, and I just haven't noticed it before. Anyway, I see my dealer on Thursday. BTW, also noticed heavy "buildup" on the tranny pan - appears to be undercoating. Any thoughts on either? Thanks.

Greg

#10132 of 19285 Fuel Pump by originalbitman

Aug 13, 2001 (10:32 am)

I can hear a whine form mine. Subtle but noticeable... more so on my 01 than on the 00.

bit

#10133 of 19285 Bit by nygreg

Aug 13, 2001 (10:34 am)

Where does the noise come from? Underneath by the tranny? Your making me feel better.

Greg

#10134 of 19285 Noise by originalbitman

Aug 13, 2001 (10:39 am)

Never really sought out the location. But from the driver's seat it seems like it is coming from the right rear. High pitched whine that doesn't vary at all. Sounds like other electric fuel pumps I've heard so I never thought about it much.

bit

#10135 of 19285 by ateixeira

Aug 13, 2001 (11:25 am)

paisan: the cladding on the Forester L is just like the VehiX, then, i.e. grey all the way through. Mine was gashed in that accident and you could see the solid coloring.

Colin: thanks for the informative summary. Susan, over in the OB boards, has been working with her dealer on her "pinging" engine, and it sounds like it might just be the non-destructive pre-ignition you mention.

-juice

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