Basic routine servicing questions

[Godders]

Evening all, my Hawkeye wrx is now overdue a bit of TLC service wise so I’m looking at doing it myself in the coming weeks. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a mechanic or an expert but I have worked on all my cars/bikes in the past but this is the first time I’ve worked on an Impreza and have a few basic questions.

I’ve read it’s wise to disconnect the crankcase position sensor prior to an oil change and turn the engine over untill the cel goes out? I’m all for ‘‘good practice’’ am I right to assume this builds up oil pressure in both banks of cylinders to prevent a dry start? If so could I put this into practice with the oil filter off to safely pump the last bits of dirty oil out without the engine firing? (I do this on my R1 by disabling the injectors and get the last 10% of dirty oil out) or is disconnecting the CPS a bit unnecessary? 
 

Does anyone know how many flutes are on an oem oil filter? Need to know if I need to get a new tool for it. 
 

how much of a pain is it really to get at the spark plugs and fuel filter? It looks like a nightmare with big hands in the engine bay, the fuel filter is in the tank under the seats on a Hawkeye right?

Regards

 

luke 

[Siluro]

Hold on you want that detail on a simple oil change but you neglect the servicing all together. Kind of defeats the point. Anyway I cannot answer you oil change procedure i just change it.

Oil filter i use is K&N which has a nut welded onto it for easy removal. Should not be that tight anyway and access is fairly good once you remove under tray. You should not have any issues. Sorry not got old one to check, but they are surprisingly small filters.

There is also a fuel filter in the engine bay. Passenger side near bulk head area if i recall correctly. Think that is a 50k part, I would need to check this to be sure.

Gearbox oil also, check gearbox dipstick under intercooler turbo side.

Plenty youtube vids on Spark plug removal. Have to remove airbox etc but nothing you cannot handle based on your post and bike stuff.

[savage bulldogs]

Echo as above but I wouldn't turn the engine over with the crank sensor unplugged to pump out the old oil . This might cause the bearings to run dry and damage other internal parts. 

Think the removal of the crank sensor plug ,once refilled with oil is to insure the oil filter and oil pump are primed before start up .

If your thinking about changing the fuel filter too , maybe just let it idle and pull the fuel pump fuse . This will eventually cause the engine to stall ,empty the fuel line pressure (allowing fuel filter fitting eaiser) . It will also mean the engine will turn over but not start ,to prime the new oil in the system before refitting fuse on 1st start up 😉

[Jay762]

I always fill the oil filter with oil prior to refitting so the engine is not sucking on air when restarting, echo above though pulling the sensor is to cold crank the engine after the oil has been replaced

[Godders]

Thanks guys that’s food for thought. I’m liking the idea of doing the fuel fiilter and oil change tip, didn’t even think of that 👌🏻 
 

Does anybody know the size of oil fiiter wrench needed? I’m finding conflicting information all over the internet on the size needed, 65mm 14 flute right?