Yesterday I attempted my first oil change on the Legacy. Having owned the Forester for a while, I figured what the hey.
I ordered a fumoto valve from
http://www.ezoildrain.ca/I purchased the recommended oil filter, fully synthetic oil and some 12,000lbs Pro ramps on sale all at C.T.
I have to admit that I hate the chore of taking out jack and stands and found the ramps much easier. You either need a spotter for these or a large mirror I find for my comfort level when ascending on to the ramps.
With the vehicle in Park and the E-brake (I recommend blocks in rear wheels if manual car) Hood open and oil cap off. I proceeded to get on my mechanic creeper and crawl under the car with tools, gloves, rag in hand and triangle oil catch pan. Subaru has a 4 screw two push fasteners under engine cover that has to be removed (What a pain in the a$$) Find the 14mm nut and unscrew and drain. After a little investigation find the oddly placed oil filter and realize I need a different filter tool based on the tight location of the filter.
Gloves in hand I attempt to wrench off the filter by hand no luck. My traditional oil filter tools can't get in this little spot. Try multiple angles and different hand and glove combos...no luck. Ok now for the fumoto valve. Can things get worse...yes it's to large. I apparently order the one for the 98 Forester that I was also looking at online. [Frick, Fracken I'm trying to be civil with my 14 old assisting me] So place original bolt back on and decided will have to come back with new tools to remove filter.
Place in the new oil and call it a night. Get on the net and shoot off an email to Barry at ezoildrain explaining that I screwed up ordered wrong valve but will keep for Forester and need another. He was good enough to give me 15% another one which is on on it's way.
I recall oil changes being so much easier at one time. Either way looks like Subaru has since changed their oil filter to a top mount unit with only the filer portion not fully metal body being replaced.
Called Subaru, apparently they don't sell the oil filter tool. Thinking of getting one of these
Curious anyone know if I can remove the filter without removing oil on a EJ253 engine without oil pissing completely out ?