Just completed my first oil change on the wrx. only took about 2 hours!!!! the undertray thing was a beatch to get back on. anyway managed to drain the sump and remove old filter, clean everything up. and yes i prefilled the filter but was surprised at just how much it took! i filled then the level went down filled and filled again, the bloody thing is like a tardis. just wondered is it safe enough to use the old plug washer? it seemed in good condition and ive had the car a run , let it cool down and checked again no loeaks can i now assume it's ok? thanks for all the advice, now that ive managed this rear diff and gear box here i come

 

I'm pretty sure most specialists/Subaru dealers will replace the washer with oil change. My car is booked in for 60000 mile service(major) soon and they replace it when changing the oil. Would imagine it would be alright just leaving it though.

 

Just done mine today, and your right about filling the filter, didnt think there would be any left for the sump, lol.. I got a Subaru filter and it came with a new o ring

 

ALWAYS fit a new washer!

For the few bob it costs, why risk the sump plug coming undone and wrecking your engine?

 

Official subaru filters always come with a sump plug anyway.....well mine do.

 

just wondered how great the risk was will it hold for a few thousand miles? it was pretty tight. or is it quite common for them to shake loose? if i can get away with it for a couple of thousand miles im tempted to leave it but if it's like 90% sure to work loose well ive lost out on a tub of oil

 

reused sump washers more times than i can remember and never had a problem.

you can always anneal an old copper/aluminium washer

How To Anneal Copper and Aluminium Washers - from motorcycle.co.uk

 

the sump plug washer isn't there to keep the bolt tight its there to stop the oil leaking out so if its tight and does't leak it will be fine.

 

Jesus some of you guys are a bit haynes manual when it comes to oil changes, as said if the copper washer is holding and not leaking then its fine. The old man was in the motor trade for 30+years and only ever changed washers if they leaked. And no copper washers do not stop the plug comming undone, tighten the bolt to the right torque setting and your good to go. Although if your filter comes with a new one then you may as well fit, purely because it saves cleaning the old one up.

 

cheers lads, wise words gt5500 i know some of us seem a bit haynes, but with haynes not doing a manual and good advice on here people like you, ryan and jones put my mind at rest. just to let you all know, the rallitek resonator delete elbow was done and four wheel geo booked for next weekend, so out come the spring clamps and im off to lower the beast, that's one job i know how to do. i'll let you all know how it gets on. still havent mustered enough courage to do the headers, uppipe and turbo, spose if i book a remap that should force me into it

 

i can't believe how tight some of you are over a washer that costs less than a quid! why wait for it to leak before changing it just put a new one on and it won't leak so you won't have to keep looking for oil drips on the drive!

 

dude it's not a case of tightness, i went down to the local autparts got some oil, and a filter they didnt have a genuine subaru, all they had where a pack of 4 assorted washers which didnt fit. the closest subaru dealer or halfords is about 40 miles away. with hindsight i should have ordered it on the net which i ve done now ( a pack of 5 genuine ones)

 

I always buy a Subaru Filter and fit a new washer.

But, if I had no washer I wouldn't panic if there were no leaks - the washer is there to be crushed and seal ...... clearly an old one will have been crushed already and stands a higher risk of leaking - but if it's drip free you will be fine

 

I have never had one leak on any car after torquing it down, can't see the need to waste even 50p if its not needed. Its just a seal it has one job, sealing, if it seals then its ok.