1st Oil Change Experience, Observations & a Surprise

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by iwantmybrz

-
I've still got the stock oil in the crankcase as delivered. I have checked the level frequently and first noticed the need to add about a half a quart at about 1,500 miles. I added the other half quart just recently shortly after a 1,100 mile road trip from Southern CT to Bangor Maine and back with about 2,800 on the ODO.

Has anyone read their owners manual? It specifically mentions that this engine will consume a good deal of oil when it's new.

Its on page 244 of the manual:

-The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
-More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and frequent acceleration and deceleration.
-A new engine consumes more oil
-When judging the amount of oil consumptions, keep in mind that the oil may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accurately [so change often -r_c]
-Oil consumption: Max. 1.1qt./600 miles.
-If your vehicle consumes more than 1.1qt. every 600 miles, contact your Scion Dealer.

[iwantmybrz]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Fumoto F108S and your oil change Black Tire. Great stuff. I was hoping you might offer me some additional expert advice. Although your photos of the installed Fumoto F108S are great, it's difficult to tell but there appears to be ample clearance for the "long" nipple Fumoto F108N, which I think I would prefer to allow easier attachment of a drain hose. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on clearance issues as well as your expert opinion now that you've installed the short nipple unit?

Thanks a million and keep your excellent posts coming!

Cobra Joe

[gpshumway]

Originally Posted by Scion Manual

-If your vehicle consumes more than 1.1qt. every 600 miles, contact your Scion Dealer.

1.1qt every 600 mi? Wow. It's very disconcerting to me that Toyota/Subaru would put such a high threshold for "normal" oil consumption. That's one liter for every 1,000 km or every other tank of gas! I don't care how low the phosphorous levels are in GF-5 oil, your catcons aren't going to last long if you're burning that much oil.

A friend of mine had a 2003 Corolla which burned a fair amount of oil. IIRC the manual for that car read 1qt in 1,200 mi (2,000 Km) or half the rate of oil consumption of the FRS/BRZ.

My 2007 WRX manual is the same as my recollection of the Corolla manual:

Originally Posted by WRX Manual

If the oil consumption rate seems
abnormally high after the break-in
period, for example more than 1 quart
per 1,200 miles or 1 liter per 2,000
kilometers, we recommend that you
contact your SUBARU dealer

Doesn't do much for my confidence in the combination of lightweight oils and low tension piston rings favored today for fuel economy reasons.

I don't want to start this whole debate again, but It speaks even more strongly to me about the importance of properly seating the rings.

[gpshumway]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Which is why I didn't say "don't use it" I said to keep an eye on it until we see if we have to worry about it.

I know. It's just that you've mentioned consumption in relation to M1 as a brand several times in this thread and others. The phenomenon of oil consumption when switching brands is not well understood, and I don't think we should be drawing conclusions about the quality of an oil from that phenomenon. I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just think a lot of visitors here might avoid M1 for no good reason based on your comments.

As an example, resident NASIOC and Forester.org oil dork Dennis (bluesubie) experienced high oil consumption in his FXT when he switched to Redline. Redline is not known as being either thin or inferior. I've used lots of different oils in my WRX, including Redline, and never seen any substantial consumption even though I switch frequently.

[sirus]

I'm using Mobil 1 5W-30 for the first time. Changed oil yesterday. I'll let you know how it goes.

[chulooz]

There is no use in debating the poor performance of M1 in Subaru engines, hundreds of actual cases provide all the proof necessary; perhaps it wont be as bad as the turbo models but still.

[xwd]

Yeah I had to replace one turbo in my FXT at about 45K and I think it was due to the use of M1, so I will not use it in this car.

As an aside, I did my first oil change at 1200 miles yesterday and Subaru must have had The Hulk put the oil filter on. The longest part of the oil change was hunting in my garage for my strap wrench.

I used Motul 8100 0w-30 X-Lite for my first oil change, will be tracking the mileage to see if there are any changes.

[Jayde]

Thanks for the write up! I've read that we should avoid using the long nipple version, since it extends below the car and could get torn off if it's hit, but is this a problem with the short nipple version? I'm looking to get one of these and the nipple would make oil changes a little easier.

When you put the valve on, did you torque to any spec or just to a certain feel?

[tinger00]

Originally Posted by Black Tire

A week ago I did the first oil change for my Scion FR-S at 1124 miles. Here's a record of what I did and some of the results and observations.

Oil: Amsoil 0W-20 Signature
Oil Filter: OEM Toyota ($20+ from my Scion Dealer!)
Oil Plug: Fumoto F108S Oil Valve

This is all you need. Oil choice is up to you.

Just installed F108S with eneos 5w30.

The valve definately sits under the skid plate with plenty of clearance...

Thanks Black Tire for the info... this is going save me time and money.

[xwd]

I also installed the F108 valve, the one without the nipple on it. As far as how tight it is I just did it by feel. The valve is installed using a crescent wrench or you can use a 7/8" open ended wrench, so you can't really torque it to any specific amount.

[Black Tire]

I used a crescent wrench to attach the Fumoto valve. I "torqued" it to "feels pretty snug but not too tight." As dwx mentioned, you can't really torque it to a specific value.

[Black Tire]

Update: Zero oil loss after 850 mile trip to Omaha and back with the Amsoil 0W-20 Signature.

[eikond]

Just did my first oil change this past weekend. 0-20 sure is thin.. It's like water.

At about 850 miles the oil I drained out was still very clean.. a little browner than new oil, but very nice anyway.

I did a fumitomo oil valve as well.

I used Mobil 1 0W-20 for this oil change. I only needed 5 1/4 quarts to hit halfway on the dip stick. I'll keep an eye on it and see if I have any consumption issues.

[yajin]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Thanks for the write up! I've read that we should avoid using the long nipple version, since it extends below the car and could get torn off if it's hit, but is this a problem with the short nipple version? I'm looking to get one of these and the nipple would make oil changes a little easier.

When you put the valve on, did you torque to any spec or just to a certain feel?

I placed the F108 (no nipple, no short nipple) to my BRZ at my first oil change a few weeks ago. I used a torque wrench. Since the F108 cannot be attached w/ regular sockets, I also used a crowfoot wrench; 19mm; to tighten it w/ the correct torque.

You can find the torque spec in the service manual.