DIY BRZ / FR-S Oil Change

[Kamran]

Yes, my "sales"man told me after 5,000 miles. But when I took it into "service", I was told by the service advisor that it was every 7500 miles, but I could do my 7,500 mile service at anytime, or at 1,000 miles. I believe it is stated in the service schedule in the owners manual.

[RallySport Direct]

Very good info, thanks guys!

Rick

[Mpowered]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

I just installed a Fumoto Valve on my BRZ. I obviously haven't had a chance to use it, but I have used the valve on my other cars.

First off, the proper Fumoto valve is the 16mm version that the current Subaru Outback and '12+ Impreza uses. It comes in two versions, with or without a hose nipple. I recommend getting the one without.

I purchased the one with the nipple and the end of the nipple is flush with the skid plate. If I run over anything, I risk having the valve ripped out of the pan and running the engine dry. So at my next change I'll be switching back to the regular Fumoto that I've used on my other cars.

The Fumoto valves are great pieces. Unlike some other quick drain valves that just use a knurled plug within another plug, the Fumoto uses a true ball-valve. This gives two layers of sealing when closed. Additionally the lever for opening the valve is held in a positively locked position by an internal spring. An external spring clamp is available to add second layer of protection against vibration.

Using the valve is easy. You lift the lever out of it's seat and rotate it 90 degrees to open the valve. When done, just move the lever back and let it seat back into it's locked position.

I love the valve because it makes the draining process much faster and cleaner. When you pull out a drain plug your hand is momentarily in the way of the oil flow. And anyone who's changed a Subaru's oil will tell you that when you pull that plug, the oil comes out like a hose and even quick fingers will get splashed with oil. Using the valve, the smaller aperture slows the dpeed of the draining oil, and the level is on the side of the valve, letting you keep your hand out of the way and dry. And of course, no tools or loose drain plugs to deal with.

I highly recommend picking these up for your cars if you do your own changes. For the BRZ/FR-S get the F-108. There are valves for tons of vehicles available. But as this thread was started by a vendor, I won't post direct links.

Good tip. Saved for later.

[chenshuo]

Originally Posted by RallySport Direct

As per SOA FSM the torque spec on the filter is 10.3ft-lb, and 28.9 ft-lb for the drain plug

Kirill
RallySportDirect.com

what do you use to torque the oil filter? I have a torque wrench for wheel lug nuts but not sure if there's a way to use that to torque the oil filter. What kind of adapter do i need? if by hand, how do you know to torque to 10.3ft-lb?

[RallySport Direct]

Originally Posted by chenshuo

what do you use to torque the oil filter? I have a torque wrench for wheel lug nuts but not sure if there's a way to use that to torque the oil filter. What kind of adapter do i need? if by hand, how do you know to torque to 10.3ft-lb?

I always tighten the filters down by hand. I get them as tight as I can while still being able to remove them by hand 3K miles later. I have never used a torque wrench for the filter, although I suppose it would be ideal to use one. After more oil changes than I care to remember, I trust my hand torque method which I also call "Rick Spec"

Thanks,
Rick

[OrbitalEllipses]

Factory oil filter torque value: Gorilla spec.

[RallySport Direct]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Factory oil filter torque value: Gorilla spec.

HAHAHA this is awesome!

[MY13FRS]

Didn't see a post about removing the oil filter before draining the oil. Is it not the acceptable way to change the oil?

This is how I usually do my oil changes:

1. remove the oil fill cap
2. remove oil filter
3. pull up the dipstick about 1" inch
4. drain oil

I would imagine this removes the same amount of oil, no?

[RallySport Direct]

Originally Posted by MY13FRS

Didn't see a post about removing the oil filter before draining the oil. Is it not the acceptable way to change the oil?

This is how I usually do my oil changes:

1. remove the oil fill cap
2. remove oil filter
3. pull up the dipstick about 1" inch
4. drain oil

I would imagine this removes the same amount of oil, no?

Yeah I think this method would work great. Having worked at a "quickie" oil changing place, I have always cracked the seal on the oil filter just as I was about to drain the oil from the pan. This technique usually works best on horizontally mounted filters, as it helps suck some of the oil out of the filters. But I think on this car either way would work.

Thanks,
Rick

[ecko04]

Good stuff...thanks for the DIY

[runny_yolk]

Originally Posted by MY13FRS

Didn't see a post about removing the oil filter before draining the oil. Is it not the acceptable way to change the oil?

This is how I usually do my oil changes:

1. remove the oil fill cap
2. remove oil filter
3. pull up the dipstick about 1" inch
4. drain oil

I would imagine this removes the same amount of oil, no?

Given that the filter is upside down and in the engine bay, wouldn't unscrewing the filter before draining the oil cause oil to leak? I accidentally spilled a tiny bit of oil on my exhaust manifold once, it stank for quite a while...

[chenshuo]

Question for you: on the Fumoto Valve website, they listed that the part number for the BRZ is F-105 and for the FRS is F-103. I thought the drain hole size is the same? I drive a BRZ so should i get the F-105?

thanks

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

I just installed a Fumoto Valve on my BRZ. I obviously haven't had a chance to use it, but I have used the valve on my other cars.

First off, the proper Fumoto valve is the 16mm version that the current Subaru Outback and '12+ Impreza uses. It comes in two versions, with or without a hose nipple. I recommend getting the one without.

I purchased the one with the nipple and the end of the nipple is flush with the skid plate. If I run over anything, I risk having the valve ripped out of the pan and running the engine dry. So at my next change I'll be switching back to the regular Fumoto that I've used on my other cars.

The Fumoto valves are great pieces. Unlike some other quick drain valves that just use a knurled plug within another plug, the Fumoto uses a true ball-valve. This gives two layers of sealing when closed. Additionally the lever for opening the valve is held in a positively locked position by an internal spring. An external spring clamp is available to add second layer of protection against vibration.

Using the valve is easy. You lift the lever out of it's seat and rotate it 90 degrees to open the valve. When done, just move the lever back and let it seat back into it's locked position.

I love the valve because it makes the draining process much faster and cleaner. When you pull out a drain plug your hand is momentarily in the way of the oil flow. And anyone who's changed a Subaru's oil will tell you that when you pull that plug, the oil comes out like a hose and even quick fingers will get splashed with oil. Using the valve, the smaller aperture slows the dpeed of the draining oil, and the level is on the side of the valve, letting you keep your hand out of the way and dry. And of course, no tools or loose drain plugs to deal with.

I highly recommend picking these up for your cars if you do your own changes. For the BRZ/FR-S get the F-108. There are valves for tons of vehicles available. But as this thread was started by a vendor, I won't post direct links.

[Shinryu]

Originally Posted by chenshuo

Question for you: on the Fumoto Valve website, they listed that the part number for the BRZ is F-105 and for the FRS is F-103. I thought the drain hole size is the same? I drive a BRZ so should i get the F-105?

thanks

As stated in the post you quoted, you need the F-108 for either vehicle.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by chenshuo

Question for you: on the Fumoto Valve website, they listed that the part number for the BRZ is F-105 and for the FRS is F-103. I thought the drain hole size is the same? I drive a BRZ so should i get the F-105?

thanks

Their list is out of date. You want the valve for late model Subarus, the F-108.

Get the F-108 for just the valve, or the F-108S for a valve with a removable plastic nipple to attach a hose.