Want to smack the Subaru engineers (oil filter placement).

[Don_M]

I'm the 'car maintenance guy' for my immediate family (especially since retiring) and drove my mom's car the other day. I saw her old oil change sticker, and let's just say she was a bit over mileage.

I told her I was "borrowing" her car to change the oil, it's a 2009 Subaru Forester w/2.5 non-turbo. Get the car up on jack stands, pop the drain plug and go for the filter. Well, some **brilliant** engineer decided the best placement for the oil filter was recessed and completely surrounded by the exhaust down pipes and cats!

Picture trying to put your hand through the hole in a donut (a HOT donut) with less than 1" on all sides of the filter.

Now granted, I could have avoided all the drama by simply having a 'cap' oil filter wrench, but where's the fun in that??

 

[FT92]

yeah, you have to wonder about things like this

 

[97prizm]

I get there are money and cost constraints but I've always wanted engineers to be required to wrench on vehicles for a while. It might change how vehicles get designed.

 

[74DartSport]

Subaru ring of fire was a thing.

 

[sopususer]

We had one of those Subies like that. Luckily I used a cap wrench, but still had to be careful about burns. I rather suspect this design and its associated complaints is what prompted Subaru to move the filter up top where it is now. Subarus are now one of the best vehicles for oil filter access, removal and installation. (Trying to look on the bright side; maybe something good came out of this nonsense.)

 

[Nmr1981]

Ah yes they are now on top of the engine which I’m thankful for., but I had an 2003 Outback that was underneath. I’d also like to smack the engineer who didn’t leave access to the rear drivers side spark plug in my wife’s Ascent. Dealer wants $765 to change 4 plugs. For that money I’ll find a way but it won’t be easy. And they need replaced every 60k. Also the engineer who designed the oil pan gasket out of chewed bubble gum on the same car. Looked like Exxon Valdez at 50k

 

[Wheel]

My 2009 has the same nightmare location. I often end up using a strap wrench as some filters are beyond what ive got for cap wrenches. I recall reading in Sunday's 'End Wrench' that it was located there to help with warm up, but I can't find the article now. Others have referred to the placement as Satan's butthole.

 

[Kira]

I don't recall my 1995 (w/2.2l non-turbo) being that way.
Of course everybody knows the 2.2 was a thoughtful clean-sheet rework and the 2.5 was just an enlargement of the 2.2.

 

[bilibako2]

Bad location alright but I serviced friend 2009 Forester I used end cup filter wrench with 3/8 of 5 inch extension on a ratchet doing her oil change 3x a year she wants it that way for about few years now.

 

[Sayjac]

As noted, known as the :ring of fire" and over the years been discussed a number of times on the OF board. For those not familiar with it, linked below.

Ring of Fire

 

[GrumpyCat]

Change the oil cold. You'll get just as much or more out.

 

[Reggaemon]

If this filter change was any easier it would do it itself. The filter can be reached without raising the car. The proper tool, a filter cup with a 6 inch extension, makes it easy to loosen and then remove the filter. And as a plus for some people the vertical mounted filter allows the filter to be pre-filled if that's important to you. I've been doing my Subi for 16 years and never had any trouble with the " ring of fire". That is a catchy phrase though.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Drive it up on ramps and do it cold

 

[Touring5]

Preach!

I have yet to replace the filter without getting a few drops of oil on the exhaust tubing - always smell burning oil after an OC.

The only thing that has helped is using an oil udder. Still tricky when the rubber gets oily and you have to keep it completely vertical when backing it out.

 

[Stumpy]

The old Honda K24 was not much better on the CRV's. Top of the engine block and the right drive axle was in the way. When you loosened the filter, the oil ran down the side of the engine, dripped on the axle shaft, hit the subframe cross member and started to fill the hollow area of the stamped member full of oil where it oozed and dripped oil forever. 3.3 Toyo V6's have the filter under the front cylinder bank headers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[meep]

Idk if it’s the same now, but Honda had a habit of sticking the filter half way up the block on the rearward side of the engine for a while, as well as others. I never enjoyed those.

I had a Subaru and the OF was over the mesh-covered exhaust flex coupling. It always soaked oil and burned for a week, until I learned to cover it with foil to keep it dry during the change.

I serviced my step-daughters Suzuki vitara that her dad bought for her a number of times … I never found the oil filter on that one and simply made sure I knew he was getting it changed here and there. Had I found it, I’m sure I would not have liked it!

1997 v6 pathfinder - filter was above something massive, I think 4x4 drive. You couldn’t get straight on it, required right tools and a little English, and that was after 9 bolts removing the dust shield (I fussed about it, but truthfully was glad they cared enough to put one there).

 

[74DartSport]

The old Honda K24 was not much better on the CRV's. Top of the engine block and the right drive axle was in the way. When you loosened the filter, the oil ran down the side of the engine, dripped on the axle shaft, hit the subframe cross member and started to fill the hollow area of the stamped member full of oil where it oozed and dripped oil forever. 3.3 Toyo V6's have the filter under the front cylinder bank headers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My RX400H has a funnel to catch the oil and direct it. Hate tightening the new filter, very awkward.

 

[ATex7239]

Cold drain for the win!