Oil change question

chargedvette02 · 11-16-2007, 05:49 PM

I looked over the How to on this and found the drain plug and the filter. I just had a question on the drain plug. It has a wire coming out of it, the picture on the how to doesn't have anything coming out of it. I was just wondering what this wire is and how to get around it so I can drain my oil. I also need to go get the drain plug washer from the dealership and was wondering if I could drive around without the plastic shield on the car for a day or two?

The last picture shows the shield and it has some oil build up on it, is that normal or should I be concerned? The car has been sitting in my garage for about 2 1/2 hrs without the shield on and no oil has leaked so I would guess I shouldn't be concerned about it.

Here is some pictures of the drain plug with the wire coming out of it. If this isn't the drain plug don't flame me to much it's located in the same spot as the how to write up.

BTW sorry about the pics, my girly spilled soda on the camera and now it doesn't auto focus.

Thanks for any and all responses.

KrazyKarl · 11-16-2007, 06:27 PM

I've never seen a drain plug with wiring coming out of it like that. Maybe its for an oil temp gauge?

You'll be fine without the undertray for a while, its mainly there for protection and aero, so as long as you don't get really unlucky and have a rock bounce up and take out your oil filter or something, you'll be fine.

bdpakaknox · 11-16-2007, 06:38 PM

STIs do not have a wire coming from the drain plug like that stock, so an aftermarket gauge would be a good guess.
An open ended wrench should be abel to get around it.

And judging by the area of the spot on your splash gauge, id say you have an oil filter leak.

haroman311 · 11-16-2007, 06:42 PM

might be some aftermarket stuff with the wire, a open ended wrench would work. as for the oil on the pan, some people dont take off the shield when they do a oil change. just let it drip down onto the shield and wipe if off and or they took it to a quick lube place(jiffy lube, midas) and they didnt take it off. if u dont see a leak then there isnt one.

STiLLsLow · 11-16-2007, 06:47 PM

the wire is for the oil temp gauge, if u have either subaru oem 3-gauge pack or an aftermarket oil temp gauge then that is the sensor for it. u may want to wrap it up since the wiring looks pretty exposed.

chargedvette02 · 11-16-2007, 06:53 PM

I do have the oem 3 gauge pack that goes where the clock is... I should have known what that was, good call guys and an open ended wrench sould take care of it. Thanks for the input all!

chargedvette02 · 11-16-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpakaknox

STIs do not have a wire coming from the drain plug like that stock, so an aftermarket gauge would be a good guess.
An open ended wrench should be abel to get around it.

And judging by the area of the spot on your splash gauge, id say you have an oil filter leak.

If I had a leak wouldn't it have leaked by now? It's been on the rino ramps for a little over 3 hrs now and no leaks at all. Also I never had a leak on my garage floor and if it was leaking as much as it looks I think I would have had some drips on the ground even with the shield in place. I'm going to go with what haroman said and guess who ever did the last oil change didn't take the shield off.

bdpakaknox · 11-16-2007, 07:16 PM

oil leaks can arise when the car is being driven, when the oil pressure rises.

Haroman makes a good point, as to why you should do your own oil changes

chargedvette02 · 11-16-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpakaknox

oil leaks can arise when the car is being driven, when the oil pressure rises.

Haroman makes a good point, as to why you should do your own oil changes

I just bought the car used. I do all my own oil changes.

11-16-2007, 05:49 PM	#1
chargedvette02 Silver Member Car: 05 STi \|STOCK\| Fav Mod: Not a post 07 sti fan Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 932 Join Date: Oct 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Oil change question I looked over the How to on this and found the drain plug and the filter. I just had a question on the drain plug. It has a wire coming out of it, the picture on the how to doesn't have anything coming out of it. I was just wondering what this wire is and how to get around it so I can drain my oil. I also need to go get the drain plug washer from the dealership and was wondering if I could drive around without the plastic shield on the car for a day or two? The last picture shows the shield and it has some oil build up on it, is that normal or should I be concerned? The car has been sitting in my garage for about 2 1/2 hrs without the shield on and no oil has leaked so I would guess I shouldn't be concerned about it. Here is some pictures of the drain plug with the wire coming out of it. If this isn't the drain plug don't flame me to much it's located in the same spot as the how to write up. BTW sorry about the pics, my girly spilled soda on the camera and now it doesn't auto focus. Thanks for any and all responses. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-16-2007, 06:27 PM	#2
KrazyKarl Professional STI Racer Car: '07 UGM STI Location: TX Posts: 729 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Oil change question I've never seen a drain plug with wiring coming out of it like that. Maybe its for an oil temp gauge? You'll be fine without the undertray for a while, its mainly there for protection and aero, so as long as you don't get really unlucky and have a rock bounce up and take out your oil filter or something, you'll be fine.

11-16-2007, 06:38 PM	#3
bdpakaknox Junior STI Driver Car: 05 WRB STI Location: Vista, So Cal. Posts: 51 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Oil change question STIs do not have a wire coming from the drain plug like that stock, so an aftermarket gauge would be a good guess. An open ended wrench should be abel to get around it. And judging by the area of the spot on your splash gauge, id say you have an oil filter leak.

11-16-2007, 06:42 PM	#4
haroman311 Professional STI Racer Car: 2006 Subaru WRX STI Fav Mod: Maddad DP and P&L Catback, stage 2!!! Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 602 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: Oil change question might be some aftermarket stuff with the wire, a open ended wrench would work. as for the oil on the pan, some people dont take off the shield when they do a oil change. just let it drip down onto the shield and wipe if off and or they took it to a quick lube place(jiffy lube, midas) and they didnt take it off. if u dont see a leak then there isnt one.

11-16-2007, 06:47 PM	#5
STiLLsLow Professional STI Driver Car: 05 AW STi Location: ATL y0 Posts: 401 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Oil change question the wire is for the oil temp gauge, if u have either subaru oem 3-gauge pack or an aftermarket oil temp gauge then that is the sensor for it. u may want to wrap it up since the wiring looks pretty exposed.

11-16-2007, 06:53 PM	#6
chargedvette02 Silver Member Car: 05 STi \|STOCK\| Fav Mod: Not a post 07 sti fan Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 932 Join Date: Oct 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Oil change question I do have the oem 3 gauge pack that goes where the clock is... I should have known what that was, good call guys and an open ended wrench sould take care of it. Thanks for the input all!

11-16-2007, 07:16 PM	#8
bdpakaknox Junior STI Driver Car: 05 WRB STI Location: Vista, So Cal. Posts: 51 Join Date: Nov 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Oil change question oil leaks can arise when the car is being driven, when the oil pressure rises. Haroman makes a good point, as to why you should do your own oil changes