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Interesting info on synthetic oil recommendation

52 messages,  Last post on Nov 21, 2010 at 6:00 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon

Messages Page 6 of 6

#43 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [xwesx] by ateixeira

Sep 20, 2010 (11:53 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 20, 2010 11:49 am)
The disposable Subaru filter did get trashed.
 
My Toyota uses a filter cartridge, so the container (metal, pretty sturdy) is sturdy enough that it comes off without damage.
 
I should hope!

#44 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [ateixeira] by aatherton

Sep 20, 2010 (12:34 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 17, 2010 1:16 pm)
I don't see where pliers have any place in removing a Subaru oil filter. Use a cap that fits over the end of the filter and is driven by a long extension on a socket wrench.

#45 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [aatherton] by dcm61

Sep 20, 2010 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Sep 20, 2010 12:34 pm)
I don't see where pliers have any place in removing a Subaru oil filter. Use a cap that fits over the end of the filter and is driven by a long extension on a socket wrench.
 
When Subaru changes the filter diameter 3 times during the course of owning one vehicle, you kinda get tired of buying new filter caps. Even the adjustable "caps" are too big for the tiny blue filters.

#46 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [aatherton] by xwesx

Sep 20, 2010 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Sep 20, 2010 12:34 pm)
That is a "when all else fails" strategy. If you're removing it, it is used and will be disposed anyway, so why not?
 
If it is on very tight, the end caps will often deform the thin metal of the filter and slip. Thankfully, the circumference of the stock Subaru filter was a little bigger than the replacement filters, so I had to tap my socket on with a hammer first. Tight or no, that thing was coming off!
 
I only use the socket for my Forester because it is not possible for me to get my hand around it. On all my other vehicles, I remove and install them by hand. I have to use the socket to install the filter on the Forester, too!

#47 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [aatherton] by ateixeira

Sep 21, 2010 (8:06 am)

Replying to: aatherton (Sep 20, 2010 12:34 pm)
I don't see where pliers have any place in removing a Subaru oil filter. Use a cap that fits over the end of the filter and is driven by a long extension on a socket wrench.
 
You missed the part where I mentioned I tried that. Did not work - could not get enough grip to twist, it would slip and strip the side of the filter (OE Subaru). The filter was overtightened, remember.
 
Funny thing is I actually tried TWO oil filter sockes. The first one was metal, from Advance Auto Parts, and the 2nd was a hard plastic one from NAPA. Both failed.
 
Hence the need for pliers, which clamped tight enough to twist it off.
 
I'm not really concerned about damage to the oil filter as it's done being used anyway.

#48 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [ateixeira] by aatherton

Sep 22, 2010 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 21, 2010 8:06 am)
I use a metal cap nut that fits tightly over the end of the filter. It fits the many flats on the end of the filter so tightly that it cannot possibly slip. If a cap nut slips, it might not be the right size. I have two cap nuts for the three cars we presently have.
 
I have large pliers, and have used them over the decades on a couple of other cars, but the Subaru filter is so tightly confined by heat shields that I cannot get my hand on it, much less get pliers around it.

#49 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [aatherton] by ateixeira

Sep 23, 2010 (8:50 am)

Replying to: aatherton (Sep 22, 2010 5:33 pm)
I hear you - I used the same exact thing!
 
Metal failed.
 
The NAPA plastic/composite one also failed.
 
There was just no way.
 
Like I said it was way overtightened.
 
The pliers stick out quite a bit, especially the large-sized ones. It reaches the filter easily. Took me an hour and a half struggling with the metal and plasic caps, and about 7 seconds with the pliers.

#50 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [ateixeira] by morin2

Oct 23, 2010 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 23, 2010 8:50 am)
A little late to this party - but I had the same problem with an overtightened oil filter and took it back to the dealer to be removed - at which time they managed to hit my new Outback and scuff the rear bumper when parking another one too close. Never again!
 
Anyway, the problem is that the caplike filter sockets that you buy at Advance or Napa, metal or plastic, are 67 mm and very slightly too large - so they slip just enough on an overtightened filter to round off the edges of the filter flats. Those aftermarket sockets would be fine if the filter was not on with excessive torque. The OEM subaru oil filter socket is 66.5 mm and a more precise fit - at least for the old style made in Japan black filters (which I bought out a dealer's supply of about 5 dozen when subaru changed to the blue Honeywells - which I will not use).

#51 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [aatherton] by aatherton

Nov 21, 2010 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Sep 22, 2010 5:33 pm)
"I use a metal cap nut that fits tightly over the end of the filter. It fits the many flats on the end of the filter so tightly that it cannot possibly slip. If a cap nut slips, it might not be the right size. I have two cap nuts for the three cars we presently have."
 
Now I find that my cap nut that fits the old black filters does not fit the new blue filters. The blue filters are slightly smaller in diameter, and I cannot find a cap nut small enough to fit them tightly. So I had to buy the gizmo with the clamping fingers.

#52 of 52 Re: Lock Jaw Pliers [aatherton] by dcm61

Nov 21, 2010 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Nov 21, 2010 2:54 pm)
So I had to buy the gizmo with the clamping fingers.
 
I have two "gizmos with the clamping fingers" and they both are too big for the blue filters.
 
16.5" (4.25" jaw) channel locks for me.

Messages Page 6 of 6

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