H6 3.0 - Lack of checking = Engine Carnage

[Robbks]

engine at operating temp.
leave to sit for 1-2 minutes (allow excess oil to drain back to sump)
check level on a dead flat surface

[Ric]

...
check level on a dead flat surface

I think you mean "dead level surface". There is a difference.

[Robbks]

you are correct sir..!

[Zorro2109]

Ok thanks guys!
At operating temp seems to be the key thing to remember, got it.

[Tradewind]

This thread is saving H6 owners everyday

Its only carelessness that kills the engines, in my limited experience the H6 are not oil drinkers, just some cars are a long time between checks or services which is leading to engine death

I like how everyone is pitching in with information to assist others on how to protect their H6.

More fun, lower costs for everyone

[DeMobBoss]

Ok thanks guys!
At operating temp seems to be the key thing to remember, got it.

Anything different recommendations to this for an engine thats being tracked regularly?
I've been checking the levels when cold before starting usually but reading this and preceding comments has changed my mind.

[Robbks]

Anything different recommendations to this for an engine thats being tracked regularly?

finish your flying laps, give it a cool-down lap and the oil temp should be on it's way back down to normal operating temp.
then the same rule applies.
shut it down, wait a couple of minutes and check it

[champ]

I have always checked the oil level before starting the engine

Note to self: Must remember to do it after driving.

[kiks]

I just drive it and check oil every 5000km from the sump plug.

I dont get how these things still go through oil. Insert 10-70 dinosaur oil. Drive nuts off car. Replace with 10-30 fully syn. Never use another drop.

[Tradewind]

I just drive it and check oil every 5000km from the sump plug.

I dont get how these things still go through oil. Insert 10-70 dinosaur oil. Drive nuts off car. Replace with 10-30 fully syn. Never use another drop.

Whatever works for you is fine.



For the price an oil level check with is zero, you can save several thousand dollars. Great investment in your car, this thread saved some more cars from going the same destruction route already

[DeMobBoss]

finish your flying laps, give it a cool-down lap and the oil temp should be on it's way back down to normal operating temp.
then the same rule applies.
shut it down, wait a couple of minutes and check it

Yes this makes a lot of sense. Thanks fellas!

[Black Dragon]

Thanks for this and I really really hope everyone do this while using a good oil. The best oil so far for me is Castrol EDGE SPORT 10W60 if you are driving hard all the time and if not, Castrol EDGE 5W40 is your choice.
Normally, I changed my oil every 10,000 km and I checked engine oil level weekly. No oil consumption at all. I do a filter test to check how long the genuine subaru oil filter will last and I found that it is between 17,000-17,500 km.
If your engine filter reached the end of it's life, there will be no more filtering and the oil pressure will be a little higher in which that you'll notice that the engine oil will start to decreases.

This is from my tests and I might be wrong with some info. My advice, use a prober oil, check oil level weekly and change it periodically with the oil filter


Regards,
Majed

[jp928]

Owners manual says check iol after its up to normal operating temp, 5-10 mins after stopping, obviously on level ground. 5-10mins running wont get the oil temp up much at all.
jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon, 98k kms, never used a drop.

[Dropz]

In regards to some earlier posts, using a thicker oil (higher grade) wont protect your engine better, as it won't lubricate better. So stick with the recommended 5w30, 10w 40 at MOST. Don't even consider a 50 or 60 weight oil as it wont give any lubrication when cold, which is when most of the wear occurs in an engine.

The reason going from a 5w30 to a 10w30 will give lower oil consumption is because the oils too thick to get into the small clearances that cause the engine to use oil. Which means those crevices have no lubrication, causing them to wear more. Oil consumption is normal, if your car doesn't use oil between oil changes with the recommended oil, then good, if it does, then good. It will only be a problem if you use more than say 1l per 10,000km, anything under that is normal and to be expected. Using a thicker oil may fix the oil consumption issue but I promise you it will cause more harm than good.

[bilco512]

In regards to some earlier posts, using a thicker oil (higher grade) wont protect your engine better, as it won't lubricate better. So stick with the recommended 5w30, 10w 40 at MOST. Don't even consider a 50 or 60 weight oil as it wont give any lubrication when cold, which is when most of the wear occurs in an engine.

The reason going from a 5w30 to a 10w30 will give lower oil consumption is because the oils too thick to get into the small clearances that cause the engine to use oil. Which means those crevices have no lubrication, causing them to wear more. Oil consumption is normal, if your car doesn't use oil between oil changes with the recommended oil, then good, if it does, then good. It will only be a problem if you use more than say 1l per 10,000km, anything under that is normal and to be expected. Using a thicker oil may fix the oil consumption issue but I promise you it will cause more harm than good.

just read through this whole topic and was very useful, thanks for the information it was great,
and thanks dropz for that comment, you being a 4th year subaru mechanic lets me trust you a whole lot more too
i know this is a very basic thing for most of you, but maybe someone should post up a step by step on how to change the oil/oil filter on the 3.0 engine
could help some newbies out there, (like me) haha

great topic!