Forester XT: Any luck w. after market oil filters?

[Guest]

Has anyone had any luck with after market oil filters in their Forester XT?
My Forester XT has twice had leaky oil filters that were installed by Jiffy
Lube and another local repair shop. It could idiots at these francises, or
could it be something more widespread? (i.e. The 2004 Forester XT is very
finicky about the oil filter.)

 

[Larry Weil]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

Has anyone had any luck with after market oil filters in their
Forester XT? My Forester XT has twice had leaky oil filters that were
installed by Jiffy Lube and another local repair shop. It could
idiots at these francises, or could it be something more widespread?
(i.e. The 2004 Forester XT is very finicky about the oil filter.)

My guess would be that these guys are in such a hurry that they
overtighten the filters.

 

[Jim Stewart]

Has anyone had any luck with after market oil filters in their Forester XT?
My Forester XT has twice had leaky oil filters that were installed by Jiffy
Lube and another local repair shop. It could idiots at these francises, or
could it be something more widespread? (i.e. The 2004 Forester XT is very
finicky about the oil filter.)

Just call up Justin at Auburn Subaru and order
10 genuine Subaru filters and crush washers
and keep them on hand.

I just got 10 for the Outback and 10 for the
WRX and 4 air filters. Came to about $160
shipped. Should last me for 2 - 3 years.

Don't muck around with the aftermarket stuff.

Justin's number - 253.737.1345

 

[y_p_w]

Just call up Justin at Auburn Subaru and order
10 genuine Subaru filters and crush washers
and keep them on hand.

I just got 10 for the Outback and 10 for the
WRX and 4 air filters. Came to about $160
shipped. Should last me for 2 - 3 years.

Don't muck around with the aftermarket stuff.

Justin's number - 253.737.1345

Aren't they also doing business as 1stSubaruParts.com? I
could have sworn that "Auburn Subaru" is the name I got on
my invoice of my order. Besides - the XT should be using
the black, smaller-sized filter made in Japan, and designed
for extra clearance by the exhaust heat shields.

I'd order from the 1stSubaruParts website. The so-called
"turbo filter" (w/ gasket) is $6.21, and the air filter is
$10.76 each. 10 oil filters and 4 air filters should be
under $120 shipped.

<https://www.1stsubaruparts.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=63>

 

[ZZ]

Are these folks for real?? Nowhere on their site do I see an address
or phone number for contact.IMHO, that sets off alarms with me as to
the credibility of the company.

 

[Bart]

I had the same problem at Jiffy Lube...I never really liked the place,
but I was in a hurry, so I tried them. They left me with a leaky filter..

I usually use Firestone to change the oil and rotate tires and such, and
they do a decent job.

 

[mulder]

Has anyone had any luck with after market oil filters in their Forester XT?
My Forester XT has twice had leaky oil filters that were installed by Jiffy
Lube and another local repair shop. It could idiots at these francises, or
could it be something more widespread? (i.e. The 2004 Forester XT is very
finicky about the oil filter.)

NEVER go to Jiffy Lube or similar places. A leaky oil filter is the
least of your potential worries, they have destroyed many an engine by
stripping/crossthreading drain plugs (which later fell out causing
total oil loss and engine seizure), draining the trans by mistake and
overfilling the engine, and so on. There are many horror stories to be
found about them.
Just think for a moment who works there- if a "tech" is truly
competent, why would they want to work at a place that only does oil
changes?
You are far, far better off doing the maintenance yourself or finding
a good independent shop (assuming you prefer not to use the dealer).
As for the oil filter, there is really no reason for it to leak if
it's the right type and is put on properly. Purolator used to make the
OEM filters, I think Subaru may use a different mfr. now for the
updated filters, but it would be perfectly acceptable to use a
Purolator replacement. That's all I've ever used on my WRX and no
leaks.
Possible reasons for a filter to leak are over- or under-tightening,
and "double-gasketing" (failure to remove the old rubber gasket left
behind from the old filter, and installing the new filter w/gasket on
top of it).

 

[Rat]

Has anyone had any luck with after market oil filters in their Forester XT?
My Forester XT has twice had leaky oil filters that were installed by Jiffy
Lube and another local repair shop. It could idiots at these francises, or
could it be something more widespread? (i.e. The 2004 Forester XT is very
finicky about the oil filter.)

http://www.subaruforester.com/viewtopic.php?t=1527&highlight=oil+filter

SUBARU OE OIL FILTER: 15208AA080 <-- old part number
: 15208AA100 <-- revised part number (they just started a new
production run and changed the part number, same filter)

PUROLATOR OIL FILTER: L14612
PUROLATOR Pure One PL14612
WIX OIL FILTER: 51365
K&N OIL FILTER: HP-1008
AMSOIL OIL FILTER: SDF13
AC DELCO OIL FILTER: PF1237

I use the Purolator pure one and so far have not had any leaks.
Check out the forums at subaruforester.com for more good information on
your XT. Also - make sure to use a new crush washer every time. I found
I could get away with never changing the crush washer on either of my
svx's and not have any leaks but if I do not change it on the XT it will
leak.

 

[Rat]

Are these folks for real?? Nowhere on their site do I see an address
or phone number for contact.IMHO, that sets off alarms with me as to
the credibility of the company.

1stsubaruparts.com is excellent. Yes, they are Auburn subaru. If you
click on the "contact us" button on their website you will get their
phone number, fax, email, etc. I have ordered over $1,000 worth in parts
from them over the past few years and have not had a problem at all. I
spent about $400 there over the past month in parts to rebuild the
engine on an svx. Their prices are one of the best on the net as well.
Many members of subaru-svx.net use them and I have never heard a bad
word about them. Their number is (253)854-2505 or (866) 528-5282 (from a
recent invoice)

 

[Guest]

Truth be told, I could be just as dangerous as the boobs at Jiffy Lube, or
Midas, so I prefer to have someone change the oil. It seems that I have no
choice but to go to a dealer, or a reputable repair facility. Time to stop
trading workmanship for price & convenience. (I wouldn't dream of doing it
with a computer or a boat!)

FWIW, Jiffy Lube also stated on their receipt that inflated my tires to
their proper pressure. A week later, ALL four tires were down to 26 PSI.
The oil leak was the final straw with them.

Thanks to all whom added their two cents. As always, it is appreciated!

 

[y_p_w]

1stsubaruparts.com is excellent. Yes, they are Auburn subaru. If you
click on the "contact us" button on their website you will get their
phone number, fax, email, etc. I have ordered over $1,000 worth in parts
from them over the past few years and have not had a problem at all. I
spent about $400 there over the past month in parts to rebuild the
engine on an svx. Their prices are one of the best on the net as well.
Many members of subaru-svx.net use them and I have never heard a bad
word about them. Their number is (253)854-2505 or (866) 528-5282 (from a
recent invoice)

I decided to look around a little more. I didn't notice this before,
but I didn't worry too much because there were several good references
on this NG.

https://www.1stsubaruparts.com/policy.html

--quote--

1st Subaru Parts is a division of
Auburn Subaru
3025 Auburn Way North
Auburn, WA. 98002

--unquote--

 

[Bonehenge]

Just think for a moment who works there- if a "tech" is truly
competent, why would they want to work at a place that only does oil
changes?

You don't actually think real mechanics do oil changes at dealerships
and many independent shops, do you? <G>

The job title "lube tech" exists at almost any place with more than
one employee.

I like to do my own oil changes, but had a Nissan pickup that drove me
to drink getting the filter on and off. I used a pair of local lube
shops, a Valvoline, and a Texaco lube center, for years with excellent
results. Both had low employee turnover and they both allowed me to
watch.

They're not *all* that bad.

Barry

 

[y_p_w]

You don't actually think real mechanics do oil changes at dealerships
and many independent shops, do you? <G>

The job title "lube tech" exists at almost any place with more than
one employee.

The place I take my cars to (a Japanese make specialist) doesn't
have any "oil change tech". All oil changes would be done by a
regular mechanic, placed on the rack, and will cost somewhere
around $35. I usually only take my cars there for stuff I don't
care to do myself like brakes, valve adjustments (for some cars),
or timing belts.

However - I do all my own oil changes with Mobil 1 5W-30 and a
black Subaru filter. I even go one step further and tighten
the drain bolt with a clicker torque wrench set to 33 ft-lbs.

 

[Jim]

Part number 15208AA100 not all dealers have this and many will substitute
part # 15208AA060 which is still ok. You can get the proper filter from
www.allsubaru.com The 15208AA100 is a 'made in Japan' filter of
exceptional quality and costs more than the 15208AA060 filter. Stick with
Subaru oem filters and NEVER buy an aftermarket filter.

 

[Rat]

Part number 15208AA100 not all dealers have this and many will substitute
part # 15208AA060 which is still ok. You can get the proper filter from
www.allsubaru.com The 15208AA100 is a 'made in Japan' filter of
exceptional quality and costs more than the 15208AA060 filter. Stick with
Subaru oem filters and NEVER buy an aftermarket filter.

You do realize that purolator manufactures the subaru oem filters, right?

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

 

[Jim]

You do realize that purolator manufactures the subaru oem filters, right?

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

Purolator manufactures the 15208AA060 filter. The 15208AA100 is
manufactured in Japan by Tokyo Roki. All Foresters (turbo and non-turbo)
leave the factory with a Tokyo Roki filter and NOT a purloator filter.
Subaru DOES NOT recommend the oem filter manufactired by Purolator for Turbo
Foresters. The Purolator OEM filter is recommended for non-turbo Foresters.
The Tokyo Roki (15208AA100 ) filter is specifically recommended for Turbo
models.

 

[Rat]

Purolator manufactures the 15208AA060 filter. The 15208AA100 is
manufactured in Japan by Tokyo Roki. All Foresters (turbo and non-turbo)
leave the factory with a Tokyo Roki filter and NOT a purloator filter.
Subaru DOES NOT recommend the oem filter manufactired by Purolator for Turbo
Foresters. The Purolator OEM filter is recommended for non-turbo Foresters.
The Tokyo Roki (15208AA100 ) filter is specifically recommended for Turbo
models.

That's interesting - where do you get the information that subaru does
not recommend the purolators? This is the first time I've heard of a
manufacturer recommending against a specific filter. Usually they just
recommend against ALL aftermarket replacement filters.

 

[y_p_w]

That's interesting - where do you get the information that subaru does
not recommend the purolators? This is the first time I've heard of a
manufacturer recommending against a specific filter. Usually they just
recommend against ALL aftermarket replacement filters.

Read carefully. They don't recommend the full size OEM filter made
by Purolator - for the turbo models. What they do recommend is a
smaller filter made by Tokyo Roki. The smaller filter allows for a
bit more clearance around the exhaust heat shields in the turbo
models. I own a WRX, and it's so close to the heat shields that
it's difficult to get a filter wrench in there. I'd use a cap
wrench, but I haven't found one that fits.

 

[GrumpyOldGeek]

Read carefully. They don't recommend the full size OEM filter made
by Purolator - for the turbo models. What they do recommend is a
smaller filter made by Tokyo Roki. The smaller filter allows for a
bit more clearance around the exhaust heat shields in the turbo
models. I own a WRX, and it's so close to the heat shields that
it's difficult to get a filter wrench in there. I'd use a cap
wrench, but I haven't found one that fits.

My wife's '04 WRX came from the factory with
the Suburu/Purolator 15208AA060, just like my
'99 Outback. Jason at Auburn Subaru recommended
going with the Tokyo Roki 15208AA100 on the WRX
and sticking with the 15208AA060 on the Outback,
which I did.

 

[y_p_w]

My wife's '04 WRX came from the factory with
the Suburu/Purolator 15208AA060, just like my
'99 Outback. Jason at Auburn Subaru recommended
going with the Tokyo Roki 15208AA100 on the WRX
and sticking with the 15208AA060 on the Outback,
which I did.

Really? The WRX is made in Japan, and I'd think they would assemble
them with a Japanese-made filter. My 2004 WRX (manufacture date of
09/03) came with the smaller black Tokyo Roki made filter. Before
whatever switch was made in part numbers, I bought 10 15208AA080
filters (w/ washers) for $6.21 each from 1stSubaruParts/Auburn Subaru.