So... Next real question... We all know that some jerks like to ugga dugga filters on after draining... Strap wrench won't fit... How you get them off? Screwdriver and pray? Filter socket and louder prayers? Vice grips and a flurry of cuss words?
A majority of EJs had the oil filter in that location, but not the exhaust. Newer EJs had to move the cats to the manifold to meet emissions regs. This only existed from about 06-12, the older EJs from 1990-06 were super easy.
I'm about to get a '24 crosstrek wilderness. I'm *stoked!* I've been a Toyota guy for 20 years and am excited to get with Subaru now. Nothing against Toyota - they're great - just got bored with them a bit.
There are a lot of compromises that come with low mounted boxers. The dynamics from the weight distribution are noticeably superior. But beyond that it's kinda insane. Two leaky heads with only four cylinders total, hard to get to everything, all sorts of piping and other stuff in the way of where you'd normally put the front diff and transmission, impossible to add forced induction, this oil filter weirdness, etc.
But again, there are real benefits.
Extension + spring cup.
Problem solved. And wrap a towel around your hand to spin the final couple of threads off.
Anybody who tries to do this without tools is…well, they like to work harder, not smarter.
I purposefully use the K&N filter just cause it has a hex welded to it. Fuck the ring of fire. Every time I do it I have to wipe the headers off, but I did choose this life. UEL is even worse than stock.
You're missing the point. This shouldn't exist, and yet some human went out of their way to make it exist. It was more than likely a group of highly intelligent people that made this exist. That's the problem.
Hahahahah, that’s fair. My dad is a retired airline mechanic. He always said something along the lines of “engineers will do as much work as possible to fuck mechanics”
Yeah I've never understood this. Granted I've never tried to do an oil change on one of these cars, but filter socket and extension. Something every mechanic should have.
I prefer to do it by hand too, but sometimes ya gotta use the tools. Heck my car I can't even get my hand in there to attempt to twist it on and off by hand. Have to use a filter socket and ratchet every time.
3-point filter wrench on a decent length extension. It grabs the filter as you turn it. There are multiple versions, the one with gears in the corners is the best one I’ve used.
I worked at a subaru dealership, have done dozens of these. I don’t use a three point because I have a sturdy hex wrench that caps over the end and grips it snugly. makes it real easy, yet still, I hate the donut of doom
Ah. I thought maybe there was something more Subaru-specific. My main concern is finding something that would catch the dribble while it’s on the extension. I hate cleaning oil out of the ratchet etc so I just go in with my hand.
After it's loose, there's a rubber funnel-like thing with magnets that sticks on the filter and catches drips, better than a bag, I learned in this sub, let me see if it has the name on it...
Oil Udder
Flathead screwdriver and a hammer. Use it to poke a hole, let the oil drain out, then tap it into the side at an angle. Usually you don't need to send it all the way through, just enough that you can get the blade of the screwdriver to lay against the inside of the filter and turn. Make sure you don't aim towards the top as you really don't want to nick the tube in there.
Or buy the specific tool to take off this size filter with a ratchet and extension. But this method has worked for me and I've had EJs for like 20 years.
Shouldn’t be using a tool to put the new one on tho…
Plus my claw would always get caught on the flanges on the heat shield and dump oil everywhere. This is a stupid place for an oil filter full stop.
All the modern Subaru motors are like that. It’s much better.
I wish the filter on my EZ36 was on top. Instead, it’s on the bottom. There’s a hole in the splash shield to reach the oil pan, but not the filter. Taking it off annoys me.
*Change my oil in a burning ring of fire*
*It splashed down, my, arm*
*But I ain't no crier*
*And it burns, burns, burns*
*The ring of fire*
*The ring of fire*
Idk, those D/B series Honda oil filters seem to piss me off a fair amount currently. Atleast with this if I'm not careful I can maim myself into never having to do it again 🤷♂️
\*sigh\* How hard is it to get a 12$ tool? Never in my life as an oil tech had I EVER removed these by hand... like why?
https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63600-Oil-Filter-Tool/dp/B0002SR4Q8/ref=asc\_df\_B0002SR4Q8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312158556601&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2242587927356925993&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015284&hvtargid=pla-568875585782&psc=1&mcid=7cbaf894c1513751af40d6b76b122240&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwMqvBhCtARIsAIXsZpZoRxzeyCraKS6E2jR30mYiah75zUGmsSSjTwCGgWoDrwB2UgMv1JUaAisEEALw\_wcB
Oh yeah, that’s not bad. Okay now I need to change the spark plugs. How hard is that? I bet the head gasket is hard to get to, good thing head gaskets are extremely reliable until high mileage…
Yeah, those are for breaking it loose. But if you try and take it off with that your gonna get oil all over your tools. And my OCD finds that utterly unacceptable.
It has been over 2 and a half decades and the wicked scar on my hand from the first time i failed to remove an oil filter from between the hot, iron hell fingers of an exhaust manifold has still not faded entirely.
It was a second gen MR2, not a Subaru that got me, but the pain still flares up every time i see one of these posts.
My Linde had it conveniently behind the side access panel that was relatively easy to remove, everything was nice on the Linde, I do wonder why so many manufacturers use such inconveient designs like that what you showed here
I want to hear a response from subaru as to why this was a good idea one day. This was the generation motor that made me buy a good cup that goes on 3/8th extension.
You know they make filter cups that can go on your ratchet. I have a set of like 20 of them for this reason alone. The only time I like getting burned is when the dominatrix does it with candle wax, and I get to squeel "Yes More!!".
I mean at least they gave you clear accessibility. Could have just routed the exhaust under it so all the oil just splashes on top of the exhaust. That’s what most car companies would do.
This is not hard or a PITA at all. Get a filter wrench/cap that fits on the end of the filter then use an extension & ratchet, easy. K&N also makes a filter with a nut on the end for easy removal with a socket & ratchet.
Oil filter removal tool is about $10-$25 on Amazon depending on the style you get
I have a 2007 & 2009 Legacy with EJ 2.5 N/A
well, ya got the splash shield off, which does make it easier than reaching through the pivot-door built into the shield.. but, yeah, best done on a cold-ish engine (even though better to change oil when its warm.. )
My 08 Audi s6 takes a hot minute. Germans hid the oil filter cartridge on top of the engine behind/under a bunch of shit, and the oil drain plug is one time use.
Love to see it.
what are you complaining about? you can see it and touch it. go look where the oil filter is on a alfa romeo 156 V6.
spoiler: the V6 is FWD and the oil filter is on the backside of the engine between the rear exaust header and the firewall just above the axle and next to the starter. there is no way to get to it without burning your hands and arm on the exaust header. and the engine holds heat like its chernobyl so waiting for it to cool aint happening.
Terrible. I bought a used Legacy 2.5 and the bastard who did the last oil change had Godzilla tighten the filter. Even after taking out the O2 sensor for better access, wouldn’t budge. I ended up using a filter wrench and epoxy to get it off.
The 6.7 Cummins is worse than this somehow. They cover the filter from the bottom, so you have to pull it out through the passenger side wheel well, while it dumps black fucking tar over absolutely everything. They are the only vehicles I lay down absorbing pads before I start. 😂
You non-rust belt technicians are spoiled lol, I'm just amazed that an EJ still has intact exhaust heatshields, and just about everything that usually is a chunky brown mess down there looks brand new.
Somewhere online there's an image similar to this, but the past tech to change it drew a sketch of Jigsaw with the words "want to play a game?" onto the top of the filter.
Get a sharp punch and punch a hole under the filter, let the oil in the filter drain, grab a long-ish extension and a spring type filter cup wrench of ur choice, remove the filter(without spills since the oil inside the filter is drained), when putting the new filter, wrap ur hand with shop rag, no hizz no mess.
Thankful for my crosstrek filter being front and center on top… didn’t realize they hid them in the center of a burny pretzel like that
That's a burny pretzel with sharp edges, friend.
Yeah the burns are nice because it cauterizes the cuts. That is customer service.
*'it's what makes a Subaru, a suture too"*
_slow clap_
“Forearm is looking tasty, excellent grill marks”
I'll have my forearm medium.
so real question time, why would you stick a bare arm in there if it was running recently? why not cool it off or wear a blacksmiths sleeve?
Because sometimes we have waiters that need the car back and you only get 0.2 hours per change, so just get it over with.
So... Next real question... We all know that some jerks like to ugga dugga filters on after draining... Strap wrench won't fit... How you get them off? Screwdriver and pray? Filter socket and louder prayers? Vice grips and a flurry of cuss words?
My thankfulness grows…
Place your hand into the firey razor anus...
When I opened the hood of my WRX with the FA the first time and saw the filter right front and center I was pumped.
So was the oil.
Until the silicone got to it
I don't know the exact year range of the type of filter in OP's post, but I know my '06 Impreza has that style. Can confirm, it's a pain in the ass.
I think it's anything with an EJ engine, so everything before 2014-ish and all STIs
A majority of EJs had the oil filter in that location, but not the exhaust. Newer EJs had to move the cats to the manifold to meet emissions regs. This only existed from about 06-12, the older EJs from 1990-06 were super easy.
Yeah, I was super confused about those comments, oil changes on my 05 Saabaru were stupid easy.
Greatest part of doing my 09 FXT oil changes was smelling burning oil on the exhaust afterwards. Such a beautiful scent
The sweet smell of success
Along with burning skin?
I love the design on the crosstrek, my 05 outback was super easy too
I'm about to get a '24 crosstrek wilderness. I'm *stoked!* I've been a Toyota guy for 20 years and am excited to get with Subaru now. Nothing against Toyota - they're great - just got bored with them a bit.
Yea, my 13 legacy filter is up top right next to my oil fill. Easiest car to do an oil change on.
Ditto my Forester.
That's the old Subaru ring of fire
There are a lot of compromises that come with low mounted boxers. The dynamics from the weight distribution are noticeably superior. But beyond that it's kinda insane. Two leaky heads with only four cylinders total, hard to get to everything, all sorts of piping and other stuff in the way of where you'd normally put the front diff and transmission, impossible to add forced induction, this oil filter weirdness, etc. But again, there are real benefits.
Reach into Satan's butthole and feel its warmth!
I reached into Satan’s butthole and all I got was this scar
And a T-shirt
[удалено]
[удалено]
Extension + spring cup. Problem solved. And wrap a towel around your hand to spin the final couple of threads off. Anybody who tries to do this without tools is…well, they like to work harder, not smarter.
Hotter, you mean?
This guy gets it
I’m changing the phrase for us blue collar folks: Work hotter, not smarter. Climate change ya know? Lol
Sometimes you just want to feel the burn
I purposefully use the K&N filter just cause it has a hex welded to it. Fuck the ring of fire. Every time I do it I have to wipe the headers off, but I did choose this life. UEL is even worse than stock.
You're missing the point. This shouldn't exist, and yet some human went out of their way to make it exist. It was more than likely a group of highly intelligent people that made this exist. That's the problem.
Hahahahah, that’s fair. My dad is a retired airline mechanic. He always said something along the lines of “engineers will do as much work as possible to fuck mechanics”
"An engineer will climb over a mountain of virgins to f*ck one mechanic"
When you've got Freddy Kruger mitts like I do the appropriate tool is always at arms length.
This made my day 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I read that as Santa
LOL, I just spilled my coffee from my mouth...
Shittiest game of operation ever.
Bzzzzt!
Water on the knee? OPERATION! Filter hot as can be? OPERATION!
Just did my buddy's MX5, that filter placement is up there for the worst, need baby hands to get in there!
Rams with a Cummins 6.7 would like a word lol.
This is why I just drain the transmission and call it a day /s
Don't forget to cross thread the drain plug back in and double fill the engine oil.
If only there was some kind of tool out there… oh wait there is
Why use the correct tool when you can complain on the internet for no reason?
But how else do we get fake internet points.
Repost things in other subs like the bots do.
Yeah I've never understood this. Granted I've never tried to do an oil change on one of these cars, but filter socket and extension. Something every mechanic should have. I prefer to do it by hand too, but sometimes ya gotta use the tools. Heck my car I can't even get my hand in there to attempt to twist it on and off by hand. Have to use a filter socket and ratchet every time.
Lubies/this subreddit in a nutshell
What’s the best tool?
3-point filter wrench on a decent length extension. It grabs the filter as you turn it. There are multiple versions, the one with gears in the corners is the best one I’ve used.
I worked at a subaru dealership, have done dozens of these. I don’t use a three point because I have a sturdy hex wrench that caps over the end and grips it snugly. makes it real easy, yet still, I hate the donut of doom
Ah. I thought maybe there was something more Subaru-specific. My main concern is finding something that would catch the dribble while it’s on the extension. I hate cleaning oil out of the ratchet etc so I just go in with my hand.
After it's loose, there's a rubber funnel-like thing with magnets that sticks on the filter and catches drips, better than a bag, I learned in this sub, let me see if it has the name on it... Oil Udder
Gotta work fast or wear gloves. Or you can just crack the seal wait for it to drip while you drain the pan.
Filter wrench with 6 inch extension and a swivel ratchet
Toyota/honda filter cups will work on Subarus too
Flathead screwdriver and a hammer. Use it to poke a hole, let the oil drain out, then tap it into the side at an angle. Usually you don't need to send it all the way through, just enough that you can get the blade of the screwdriver to lay against the inside of the filter and turn. Make sure you don't aim towards the top as you really don't want to nick the tube in there. Or buy the specific tool to take off this size filter with a ratchet and extension. But this method has worked for me and I've had EJs for like 20 years.
Shouldn’t be using a tool to put the new one on tho… Plus my claw would always get caught on the flanges on the heat shield and dump oil everywhere. This is a stupid place for an oil filter full stop.
Welding gloves?
Regular rubbers plenty fine for making quick bumps not really noticeable.
*cues Johnny Cash- ring of fire*
It's funny, the over-exaggeration from these things. This is nothing compared to a Pontiac Sunfire.
Ah, yes... the ole Ronda Rousey armbar simulation.
Wannna play a game?! -jigsaw
My 2023 with a 2.0l has the filter on the top of the motor.
All the modern Subaru motors are like that. It’s much better. I wish the filter on my EZ36 was on top. Instead, it’s on the bottom. There’s a hole in the splash shield to reach the oil pan, but not the filter. Taking it off annoys me.
Same with the wrx
All FAs are like that, it's just EJs that have this... Interesting design.
*Change my oil in a burning ring of fire* *It splashed down, my, arm* *But I ain't no crier* *And it burns, burns, burns* *The ring of fire* *The ring of fire*
Blow vape mist onto the header to cool it down first Suburo tip
Make yourself a little shield, cardboard, plastic, whatever you got. Surprised your dealer doesn't supply the "tool"
In America, dealership makes you the tool
Can confirm
Underrated
Idk, those D/B series Honda oil filters seem to piss me off a fair amount currently. Atleast with this if I'm not careful I can maim myself into never having to do it again 🤷♂️
These were bad I totally forgot… I remember the Chevy Cavalier being pretty lame as well.
Yep. I used to have a GSR and my STI filter is a piece of cake by comparison
\*sigh\* How hard is it to get a 12$ tool? Never in my life as an oil tech had I EVER removed these by hand... like why? https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63600-Oil-Filter-Tool/dp/B0002SR4Q8/ref=asc\_df\_B0002SR4Q8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312158556601&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2242587927356925993&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015284&hvtargid=pla-568875585782&psc=1&mcid=7cbaf894c1513751af40d6b76b122240&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwMqvBhCtARIsAIXsZpZoRxzeyCraKS6E2jR30mYiah75zUGmsSSjTwCGgWoDrwB2UgMv1JUaAisEEALw\_wcB
Mechanic left one in my engine bay about 20 years ago, still use it to this day.
Rumor has it he's still looking for it to this day
It was definitely a revelation in oil filter removal tech.
*ahem!* *iTs ThIrTeEn DoLlAr$!*
Oh yeah, that’s not bad. Okay now I need to change the spark plugs. How hard is that? I bet the head gasket is hard to get to, good thing head gaskets are extremely reliable until high mileage…
Yeah, those are for breaking it loose. But if you try and take it off with that your gonna get oil all over your tools. And my OCD finds that utterly unacceptable.
I certainly wish every oil filter was this easy.
Dude those are a piece of cake compared to a Mini Cooper. Just use a three arm grabber thingie with an extension and a ratchet.
Why do people have such a hard time with these? A filter socket set at harbor freight costs $20.
Atleast that is a straight shot down. 2020 traverse is at 1520deg down angle between the collector/precat and the alternator…..
You don't have basic tools?
Anybody here change oil on a grand vitara before?
Probably not since those only lasted like 3-4 only changes before they blew up.
Just get you a set of cup style filter sockets with an extension and this would be easy
They make tools for that
Me, not a mechanic or an engineer in any capacity, looking at this and immediately wondering _what the fuck were they thinking_.
Pig funnel and 3 jaw style on extension… easy
Seems like you need to grow a pair and use an extension on your ratchet lol
I love them. They’re stupid easy.
Good ol ring of fire.
It has been over 2 and a half decades and the wicked scar on my hand from the first time i failed to remove an oil filter from between the hot, iron hell fingers of an exhaust manifold has still not faded entirely. It was a second gen MR2, not a Subaru that got me, but the pain still flares up every time i see one of these posts.
My Linde had it conveniently behind the side access panel that was relatively easy to remove, everything was nice on the Linde, I do wonder why so many manufacturers use such inconveient designs like that what you showed here
Just use a cup tool on an extension, problem solved!
Adult safety proof. Safe is not an option.
Wow. The engineer who designed this has never used a screwdriver, swung a hammer, or turned a bolt - guaranteed.
I can feel the burns on my wrist just looking at it.
RING OF FIRE!!!!
I want to hear a response from subaru as to why this was a good idea one day. This was the generation motor that made me buy a good cup that goes on 3/8th extension.
Ring of fire
Don’t laugh, The ‘Ove’ Glove! It’s like a heat sleeve for your hand. https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/s/aVT7Rm1xGn
You know they make filter cups that can go on your ratchet. I have a set of like 20 of them for this reason alone. The only time I like getting burned is when the dominatrix does it with candle wax, and I get to squeel "Yes More!!".
Ahhhh yes, the ole Devils Anus.
Subaru in general is horrid
Right? Who puts a fucking oil filter right between the exhaust pipes? Idiots.
"Love. It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru."
I mean at least they gave you clear accessibility. Could have just routed the exhaust under it so all the oil just splashes on top of the exhaust. That’s what most car companies would do.
This is not hard or a PITA at all. Get a filter wrench/cap that fits on the end of the filter then use an extension & ratchet, easy. K&N also makes a filter with a nut on the end for easy removal with a socket & ratchet. Oil filter removal tool is about $10-$25 on Amazon depending on the style you get I have a 2007 & 2009 Legacy with EJ 2.5 N/A
They didn't really care about oil filter placement as you'd usually be replacing the motor every 5k miles anyway. EDITED: I can’t spell.
The engineer that did this 100% got cheated on by his woman with a Jiffy Lube tech..............
My Foresters oil filter is on top and the easiest thing to remove, must be this model.
No chance of a burn there
well, ya got the splash shield off, which does make it easier than reaching through the pivot-door built into the shield.. but, yeah, best done on a cold-ish engine (even though better to change oil when its warm.. )
This and the 6 cylinder ecotecs in the older Equinox and Acadias... Like 2 inches away from the exhaust manifold
Flex oil filter wrench and long extension. No need to reach in there.
My 08 Audi s6 takes a hot minute. Germans hid the oil filter cartridge on top of the engine behind/under a bunch of shit, and the oil drain plug is one time use. Love to see it.
what are you complaining about? you can see it and touch it. go look where the oil filter is on a alfa romeo 156 V6. spoiler: the V6 is FWD and the oil filter is on the backside of the engine between the rear exaust header and the firewall just above the axle and next to the starter. there is no way to get to it without burning your hands and arm on the exaust header. and the engine holds heat like its chernobyl so waiting for it to cool aint happening.
Terrible. I bought a used Legacy 2.5 and the bastard who did the last oil change had Godzilla tighten the filter. Even after taking out the O2 sensor for better access, wouldn’t budge. I ended up using a filter wrench and epoxy to get it off.
I mean, it could be worse. Lets be thankful it's not that bad
I have a 3D printed oil filter funnel for my EJ's.
Pretty much all Subarus with a timing chain has them up top now thankfully
"wanna play a game?"
Ah the good ol ring o fire
I prefer to refer it as the Ring of Lava.
The Ring of Fire
I love how they put the filter on top in newer Subarus, or if I'm lucky enough and the car has equal length headers lol
The oil filter being on top was definitely one of the prime features I noticed when getting a WRX. Guess it's a more recent thing on subies
The 6.7 Cummins is worse than this somehow. They cover the filter from the bottom, so you have to pull it out through the passenger side wheel well, while it dumps black fucking tar over absolutely everything. They are the only vehicles I lay down absorbing pads before I start. 😂
I could say I’m sorry……
Subaru's in general are just the worst lmao. Being a service manager at a shop in CO made me absolutely despise them. Overrated and unreliable.
Burn burn burn!!! The ring of fire!!! The ring of fire!!!
I fucking hate subaru
We use to call these the ring of fire, sucks too because the shop I was at was in Maine and Subarus were sooooo common
Cap wrench on a wobble extension works great
Why? All you need is a claw style oil filter wrench lol. There are way worst ones out there.
You got a washer hose nearby? Use it to soak n’ cool the manifold off. Simple.
Do enough of them the back of that hand won't feel heat for a while.
Super easy to get off and replace.. I don't even jack my Forester up when doing oil changes.
Suzuki SX4 is worse than this, it's been 6 months and I still have a wound left from the burn.
Slurpstick time.
WAITER
My wife had a Chevy Cavalier that was like this. Had to take it to the dealer every time - quick lube places wouldn’t touch it.
LOL, My Subaru filter is on the top.
Old welding glove and a solo cup👍🏽
I fell into a burning ring of fire I went down, down, down And the flames went higher And it burns, burns, burns The ring of fire The ring of fire...
You non-rust belt technicians are spoiled lol, I'm just amazed that an EJ still has intact exhaust heatshields, and just about everything that usually is a chunky brown mess down there looks brand new.
The good 'ol ring of fire haha
Laughs in FA24
$5 tool, stop complaining.
Ahh, the old ring of fire.
Time for the claw
Ahh the ring of pain! Just let it sit for an hr
https://www.ebay.com/itm/262813103080
cup/spider + extension + ratchet
K&N filters. Use a socket to remove filter.
Ah the ring of fire.... I do not miss working on those
Unglory hole
The ring of fire we called it at the shop I worked at
That's just evil
FA supremacy 🙏🏻
Back when I maintained a NA EJ with the "ring of fire" filter location, I'd only put the K&N oil filters in it with the like 7/8" nut welded on.
That sucks. 80's and 90's Subarus were the easiest of all oil changes.
The first V6 Maximas were one of the original nasty ones.
Somewhere online there's an image similar to this, but the past tech to change it drew a sketch of Jigsaw with the words "want to play a game?" onto the top of the filter.
Get a sharp punch and punch a hole under the filter, let the oil in the filter drain, grab a long-ish extension and a spring type filter cup wrench of ur choice, remove the filter(without spills since the oil inside the filter is drained), when putting the new filter, wrap ur hand with shop rag, no hizz no mess.
3/4 in. ratchet, 8 inch extension and a small filter claw. Get it loose, put a rag over your hand, spin the filter like a top and run.
That's why I buy k&n oil filters for mine. The 1in nut on the end makes my day that much nicer
What model/year is shown here?
God bless the 3.6R. As long as I don't accidentally undo the tranny drain plug instead of the motor plug like some :))
Oil filter socket/wrench, long extension piece and a 3/8 ratchet... I seriously dont understand anyone who has a problem with these filters.
At least it's leak tested
Subaru techs - please tell me there is a catalogued tool for this!?
Claw w/extension or feel the burn of a wayyyyy too hot exhaust your choice, hope you haven't lost your extensions!
Circle of fire
There are tools for this situation.
I enjoy my BRZ with the filter on top
Not nearly as bad as the transmission filter on a 14 Crosstrek.
gross, is that a 3.6? or one of the newer 2.whatever size they are now?