808subaru Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 So here's my question. I did an oil change on my legacy 3.0R last nite. The manual states 5.5 Qt. or 5.8Qt w/ the oil filter . After the fill, i checked for leaks and was still short under the low level on the dipstick. As I have never heard of anyone filling more than the capacity, i decided to read the manual and follow instructions as stated. Run car to normal operating temp, allow a few minutes to cool then check level. After doing that, it was still low. Well my wife took the car to work this morning and i advised het to take a quart and add in the morning if need be. Has anyone ever had this problem before, and should i be worried? The car runs fine AFAIK. P.S.- it is a 6 cylinder, i know GT's ( i owned one b4 this car) don't take more than 5 Qt's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyShackleford Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 This doesn't really answer your question, but might help. Subaru engines are very peculiar in that you need to leave the dipstick out for several minutes, allowing any oil that was pulled up into the dipstick tube (when you pulled the dipstick out) to drain back, before you re-insert the dipstick for a reading. Some people have gotten around this problem by buffing the bottom part of the dipstick until it is smooth and slick as mirror - link somehwere on this site, I believe. Unfortunately, I think not following this procedure would probably gives you "too full" readings (or readings that are really indistinct), so it doesn't really seem to address you problem. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Don't sweat the small stuff. You've owned Subbies before so just check the oil the same way, as Rusty said ^^. After I change my oil and about once every 2 weeks, after I get to work, I pull the dip stick up a bit and close the hood. After work I open the hood, wipe the dip stick, and check the oil. Been doing it this way for years, if your a little bit low or up to a qt low on the stick, your still safe. A little over won't hurt either. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
808subaru Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Yeah thanks Rusty and Max!! The wife went to check oil this morning (she starts work 5am so i was sleeping) and it was in the middle with 6 quarts from last nite. She drove to work (all of 2 miles) and checked it again it was at the low mark. I guess checking it when the car is cold allows for all the fluid to be in it's proper place. This was the first car that played wierd dipstick tricks on me. Thanks again guys!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatnoir Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Hi - coming out of lurking status to refer you to another member's post concerning the 3.0R oil quantity - I have a 08 OBP 3.0R myself. Just got it's first oil change recently and was slightly over 6 qts with the filter. Search some of Seeeee Ya's recent posts and I believe you will encounter the same discrepancy with what is stated in the manual. http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106802 - found it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 It must have something to the boxer engine, my 14hp briggs twin cylinder lawn tractor has the same issue. I have to pull the dip stick, let the oil drain down for a few minutes then check it. It's 15 y/o and still holds the oil up. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyShackleford Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 It must have something to the boxer engine, my 14hp briggs twin cylinder lawn tractor has the same issue. I have to pull the dip stick, let the oil drain down for a few minutes then check it. It's 15 y/o and still holds the oil up. I'm thinking maybe it has more to do with the dipstick tube being an especially tight fit with the dipstick. My BMW motorcycle boxer did not have this issue, nor (I believe) did the VW beetle engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Are you telling me, I have a big dip stick? LOL 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
808subaru Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 Thanks for all the info. I'm glad to know that i was not the only one a quart low. **********Update********* Also, i don't know if it's the butt dyno, but the car runs with much more power with redline oil, and shifts later. I guess my wife will run and confirm this. I have ran redline in the wrx, but never felt this much power bump before. I'd say it feels like a 10-15 whp/ tq increase! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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