[handyguy]

Can anyone validate the correct of wrench needed for the oil drain plug? This thread reports both 14mm and 17mm.

 

[RidingWV]

Well, I went in to get my first oil change on the '19 Forester and talked with the service reps (nicely) about my concern regarding over-tightening the drain plugs. They understood and said they are very careful to use torque wrenches to accurately tighten. They were also very nice about switching the plug to the 17mm one I had bought there. After the oil change, the old plug was in my little zip lock bag, all cleaned off. Nice.

After I got home and the car sat overnight, I checked the oil level. This is what I found.

Using my ruler and measuring the distance between Full and Add on the dipstick, I calculated it is about 2/3 Quart overfilled (assuming there is a 1-Quart range between Full and Add). Luckily, my Top-Sider oil vacuum pump is on its way from Amazon, so I will just let it sit for a few days until I can suck out the excess.

From the factory, the oil level was just barely (maybe 1/16 inch) above Full the entire 3,500 miles. It didn't move at all.

This is why I like to do my own oil changes.

 

[RidingWV]

Can anyone validate the correct of wrench needed for the oil drain plug? This thread reports both 14mm and 17mm.

The '19 Forester comes with a 14mm oil drain bolt - there is a replacement with 17mm bolt that is apparently easier to get on/off.

These measurements are just for the "head" of the bolt. The Threaded section is still the same diameter and thread pitch. I believe that number is 16mm / 1.5

 

[handyguy]

Thanks

For the clarification (on drain plug bolt size) !

 

[RidingWV]

Well, it looks like I will be getting more use out of my 17mm drain bolt than I thought. My TopSider oil vacuum pump arrived, and I set it up to suck out the extra 2/3 quart of oil the dealer put it. (See Post #22 above.) After an hour of fiddling and adjusting, I was getting no suction, and even when I tried sucking on the long tube with my mouth, there was no resistance - meaning the tube was not getting down into the drain pan far enough to reach oil. I fiddled with that for a while, with no luck. The next day, I tried again and failed. It's in a box on the way back to Amazon.

I did some searching and it does look like I'm not the only person who has had problems "reaching oil" in their Subaru through the dipstick tube. There is apparently a kink or baffle blocking the path.

I took the car to the Subaru dealer and they were very nice and apologetic. An hour later, I had my Forester back and the oil level is once again correct.

Glad I got the 17mm drain bolt.

 

[danornan]

Does anyone know what the torque setting is supposed to be for this oil change plug?

Looks like 32 which seems way too high.

 

[securityguy]

no more than 24...typically 18-24 for a drain plug bolt.

 

[handyguy]

Just changed the oil and installed the ez drain. No leaks, and next oil should be a treat. Plenty of clearance above the plastic access panel.

 

[mfenimore]

Does anyone know what the torque setting is supposed to be for this oil change plug?
Looks like 32 which seems way too high.

Oil drain plug: for a 2018 Forester, it is 38Nm or 28 lb/ft. Please check the scale and marking on your torque wrench. On my Neiko torque wrench, it has BOTH so make sure you pick the correct one.

 

[boureesub]

Does anyone know what the torque setting is supposed to be for this oil change plug?

Looks like 32 which seems way too high.

For your 2019, the oil drain plug torque called out in the shop manual is is 41.7 Nm metric or 30.8 ft-lbs.

 

[Kean]

Well, it looks like I will be getting more use out of my 17mm drain bolt than I thought. My TopSider oil vacuum pump arrived, and I set it up to suck out the extra 2/3 quart of oil the dealer put it. (See Post #22 above.) After an hour of fiddling and adjusting, I was getting no suction, and even when I tried sucking on the long tube with my mouth, there was no resistance - meaning the tube was not getting down into the drain pan far enough to reach oil. I fiddled with that for a while, with no luck. The next day, I tried again and failed. It's in a box on the way back to Amazon.

I did some searching and it does look like I'm not the only person who has had problems "reaching oil" in their Subaru through the dipstick tube. There is apparently a kink or baffle blocking the path.

I took the car to the Subaru dealer and they were very nice and apologetic. An hour later, I had my Forester back and the oil level is once again correct.

Glad I got the 17mm drain bolt.

That's disappointing to hear. I'll need to do some more research and find out if someone here successfully pumps out their oil on the 2019 / 2020.

I had plans to purchase a larger Mityvac pump for oil changes. .....given that the oil filter is mounted on top. Maybe I'll just buy some hose and use my smaller Mityvac just to see if I don't run into the same issue before buying the larger one.