ctrl + shift + ? :
Show all keyboard shortcuts
ctrl + g :
Navigate to a group
esc to dismiss
How are folks topping off oil levels?
|
Hi!
?
I have a 1990 Westy Gl AT with an EJ22 conversion. The conversion was done at SCP and I have their oil pan and metal dipstick.
?
What is a PITA for me is topping off the oil level. I want to find a way to do this without having to open the engine lid and add oil from the port on the engine. Is it possible to simply pump oil down the guide tube of the oil dipstick? I see on Amazon small pumps that can be used to pump up to a quart and these pumps have adapters that can easily go into the guide tube.
?
Anybody see a problem with this? What are folks doing to add oil to their Suby engines?
Thanks!
|
VanCafe sells an extended oil filler neck to remedy this issue. Here is a link: |
I bought one but haven’t installed it yet. I’m surprised it took so long for an option to finally become available.?
Also, I know you’ve got an EJ22 and this states it’s for the EJ25. I’m relatively certain that the oil fill location is the same on the EJ22 and EJ25 blocks, but maybe triple check with Van Cafe before ordering.?
Connor
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 3, 2025, at 6:11?PM, Peter Gibson via groups.io <soquel.dude@...> wrote:
?
Hi!
?
I have a 1990 Westy Gl AT with an EJ22 conversion. The conversion was done at SCP and I have their oil pan and metal dipstick.
?
What is a PITA for me is topping off the oil level. I want to find a way to do this without having to open the engine lid and add oil from the port on the engine. Is it possible to simply pump oil down the guide tube of the oil dipstick? I see on Amazon small pumps that can be used to pump up to a quart and these pumps have adapters that can easily go into the guide tube.
?
Anybody see a problem with this? What are folks doing to add oil to their Suby engines?
Thanks!
Thanks. I saw this on the Van Café site, but didn’t pay much attention to
it since it’s intended for EJ25. I? did reach out to RMW about when they’d
have an EJ22 solution, but no answer as yet.
?
One concern that I had with their setup is the oil filler neck is a flex
tube and looks like it most likely sits at a downward angle behind the license
plate. If so, then you’d have to pump oil up the neck and into the oil port, or
at least stretch the neck out and up to drain the oil.
?
Did you order the optional oil funnel?
?
Please update this post with what you like/don’t like about their
solution.
?
Thanks!
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: connor warren via groups.io
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2025 6:36 PM
Subject: Re: [SubaruVanagon] How are folks topping off oil
levels?
?
VanCafe
sells an extended oil filler neck to remedy this issue. Here is a link:
|
?
I bought one but haven’t installed it yet. I’m surprised it
took so long for an option to finally become available.
?
Also, I know you’ve got an EJ22 and this states it’s for the EJ25. I’m
relatively certain that the oil fill location is the same on the EJ22 and EJ25
blocks, but maybe triple check with Van Cafe before ordering.
?
Connor
?
On Jan 3, 2025, at 6:11?PM, Peter Gibson via groups.io
<soquel.dude@...> wrote:
?
Hi!
?
I have a 1990 Westy Gl AT with an EJ22 conversion. The conversion was
done at SCP and I have their oil pan and metal dipstick.
?
What is a PITA for me is topping off the oil level. I want to find a way
to do this without having to open the engine lid and add oil from the port on
the engine. Is it possible to simply pump oil down the guide tube of the oil
dipstick? I see on Amazon small pumps that can be used to pump up to a quart
and these pumps have adapters that can easily go into the guide tube.
?
Anybody see a problem with this? What are folks doing to add oil to their
Suby engines?
Thanks!
Ok, I’m relatively certain that it should work on the ej22, but I’m sure they’ll confirm that. I’ve run both an ej22 and 25 and i remember the oil fill being identical.?
So the entire oil fill neck is stainless steel (no flex tube) and has a relatively uniform slope down towards the block. So there is no downward angle. Again, I haven’t installed it but it’s apparent looking at the part. It looks very well made and I’m looking forward to installing it, but the van is in storage for the winter.?
That being said, I didn’t order the optional oil funnel. With the location behind the license plate door, obviously it’ll need some sort of funnel to keep from spilling oil everywhere.?
If I get some time next week I’ll install it and update with my thoughts on the design.?
Connor?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 3, 2025, at 7:19?PM, Peter Gibson via groups.io <soquel.dude@...> wrote:
?
Thanks. I saw this on the Van Café site, but didn’t pay much attention to
it since it’s intended for EJ25. I? did reach out to RMW about when they’d
have an EJ22 solution, but no answer as yet.
?
One concern that I had with their setup is the oil filler neck is a flex
tube and looks like it most likely sits at a downward angle behind the license
plate. If so, then you’d have to pump oil up the neck and into the oil port, or
at least stretch the neck out and up to drain the oil.
?
Did you order the optional oil funnel?
?
Please update this post with what you like/don’t like about their
solution.
?
Thanks!
From: connor warren via groups.io
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2025 6:36 PM
Subject: Re: [SubaruVanagon] How are folks topping off oil
levels?
?
VanCafe
sells an extended oil filler neck to remedy this issue. Here is a link:
|
?
I bought one but haven’t installed it yet. I’m surprised it
took so long for an option to finally become available.
?
Also, I know you’ve got an EJ22 and this states it’s for the EJ25. I’m
relatively certain that the oil fill location is the same on the EJ22 and EJ25
blocks, but maybe triple check with Van Cafe before ordering.
?
Connor
?
On Jan 3, 2025, at 6:11?PM, Peter Gibson via groups.io
<soquel.dude@...> wrote:
?
Hi!
?
I have a 1990 Westy Gl AT with an EJ22 conversion. The conversion was
done at SCP and I have their oil pan and metal dipstick.
?
What is a PITA for me is topping off the oil level. I want to find a way
to do this without having to open the engine lid and add oil from the port on
the engine. Is it possible to simply pump oil down the guide tube of the oil
dipstick? I see on Amazon small pumps that can be used to pump up to a quart
and these pumps have adapters that can easily go into the guide tube.
?
Anybody see a problem with this? What are folks doing to add oil to their
Suby engines?
Thanks!
Van cafe sells an oil filler that is accessible from the plate like stock?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Fri, Jan 3, 2025 at 6:11?PM Peter Gibson via groups.io <soquel.dude@...> wrote:
Hi!
?
I have a 1990 Westy Gl AT with an EJ22 conversion. The conversion was done at SCP and I have their oil pan and metal dipstick.
?
What is a PITA for me is topping off the oil level. I want to find a way to do this without having to open the engine lid and add oil from the port on the engine. Is it possible to simply pump oil down the guide tube of the oil dipstick? I see on Amazon small pumps that can be used to pump up to a quart and these pumps have adapters that can easily go into the guide tube.
?
Anybody see a problem with this? What are folks doing to add oil to their Suby engines?
Thanks!
|
Hey peter I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, was a bit suspect also?
On Fri, Jan 3, 2025 at 7:18?PM Peter Gibson via groups.io <soquel.dude@...> wrote:
Thanks. I saw this on the Van Café site, but didn’t pay much attention to it since it’s intended for EJ25. I? did reach out to RMW about when they’d have an EJ22 solution, but no answer as yet.
?
One concern that I had with their setup is the oil filler neck is a flex tube and looks like it most likely sits at a downward angle behind the license plate. If so, then you’d have to pump oil up the neck and into the oil port, or at least stretch the neck out and up to drain the oil.
?
Did you order the optional oil funnel?
?
Please update this post with what you like/don’t like about their solution.
?
Thanks!
?
From: connor warren via groups.io
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2025 6:36 PM
Subject: Re: [SubaruVanagon] How are folks topping off oil levels?
?
VanCafe sells an extended oil filler neck to remedy this issue. Here is a link:
?
I bought one but haven’t installed it yet. I’m surprised it took so long for an option to finally become available.
?
Also, I know you’ve got an EJ22 and this states it’s for the EJ25. I’m relatively certain that the oil fill location is the same on the EJ22 and EJ25 blocks, but maybe triple check with Van Cafe before ordering.
?
Connor
?
?
On Jan 3, 2025, at 6:11?PM, Peter Gibson via groups.io <soquel.dude=comcast.net@groups.io> wrote:
Hi!
?
I have a 1990 Westy Gl AT with an EJ22 conversion. The conversion was done at SCP and I have their oil pan and metal dipstick.
?
What is a PITA for me is topping off the oil level. I want to find a way to do this without having to open the engine lid and add oil from the port on the engine. Is it possible to simply pump oil down the guide tube of the oil dipstick? I see on Amazon small pumps that can be used to pump up to a quart and these pumps have adapters that can easily go into the guide tube.
?
Anybody see a problem with this? What are folks doing to add oil to their Suby engines?
Thanks!
|
Hi, Conor:
?
You're right, the oil fill tube is not flex but is an angled stainless steel pipe. You can see all about it here:
?
My bad!
|
Mmm. My engine uses a quart every ~2000 miles or so, so I go in there every thousand miles and check.
Doesn't seem like a chore to me, just something I need to do.
On Sat, Jan 4, 2025 at 11:47?AM Peter Gibson via <soquel.dude= [email protected]> wrote: Hi, Conor:
?
You're right, the oil fill tube is not flex but is an angled stainless steel pipe. You can see all about it here:
?
My bad!
-- Jake
------------------------------------------
Crescent Beach, BC
-----------------------------------------------------
1984 GL 1.9 WBX
1986 Westy Weekender with 2000 2.5 SOHC Subaru, 5 speed transaxle & PosiTrac Differential
|
1991 Carat w/Subaru 2.5L, Autotranny
For the time?being, I'm content with opening the engine bay to add oil because I want to inspect?moving parts, keep an eye on belts, and check for anything loosening up.? BTW, I have the Smallcar clear plastic tube?to check the oil level from the car tag hatch. Has worked so far. It was problematic reinserting after checking oil but I cut the tube off? at the low level mark and now it works great. When oil is at the bottom end, time to add oil. It would, however, be nice to not have to jump through hoops to add a quart, though.
On Sat, Jan 4, 2025 at 7:05?PM Jake de Villiers via <subyjake= [email protected]> wrote: Mmm. My engine uses a quart every ~2000 miles or so, so I go in there every thousand miles and check.
Doesn't seem like a chore to me, just something I need to do.
On Sat, Jan 4, 2025 at 11:47?AM Peter Gibson via <soquel.dude= [email protected]> wrote: Hi, Conor:
?
You're right, the oil fill tube is not flex but is an angled stainless steel pipe. You can see all about it here:
?
My bad!
--
Jake
------------------------------------------
Crescent Beach, BC
-----------------------------------------------------
1984 GL 1.9 WBX
1986 Westy Weekender with 2000 2.5 SOHC Subaru, 5 speed transaxle & PosiTrac Differential
|
I guess everybody's situation is different.? For me with an EJ22 (1994 Legacy) rebuilt to Zero Miles by Steve Johnson (S&S Performance) in Alpine San Diego area...my oil consumption is nil after 5000 miles when I change it.? Now with 75K miles.? Excellent performance too.? So my question would be?...was this a newly rebuilt motor for you or a transfer from a donor with no overhaul?
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 05:05:38 PM PST, Jake de Villiers via groups.io <subyjake@...> wrote:
Mmm. My engine uses a quart every ~2000 miles or so, so I go in there every thousand miles and check.
Doesn't seem like a chore to me, just something I need to do.
|
I agree that a properly built motor shouldnt be burning through oil like that. The donor car i bought and then drove for a bit had 240000kms on it, a sligh HG leak and it went through very little oil?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I guess everybody's situation is different.? For me with an EJ22 (1994 Legacy) rebuilt to Zero Miles by Steve Johnson (S&S Performance) in Alpine San Diego area...my oil consumption is nil after 5000 miles when I change it.? Now with 75K miles.? Excellent performance
too.? So my question would be?...was this a newly rebuilt motor for you or a transfer from a donor with no overhaul?
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 05:05:38 PM PST, Jake de Villiers via groups.io <subyjake@...> wrote:
Mmm. My engine uses a quart every ~2000 miles or so, so I go in there every thousand miles and check.
Doesn't seem like a chore to me, just something I need to do.
|
Jumping in, hopefully not interrupting this thread. My ‘87 conversion tends to drink oil as well. no leaks, but I have to check oil levels regularly. I understand this is usually due to the rings. I’m no mechanic - what does it cost to fix leaking rings? How big a job is this? Trying to get some perspective on how I should be thinking about this issue.?
Thx Tc
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 5, 2025, at 8:53?AM, John A via groups.io <xstreamcanadian@...> wrote:
?
I agree that a properly built motor shouldnt be burning through oil like that. The donor car i bought and then drove for a bit had 240000kms on it, a sligh HG leak and it went through very little oil?
I guess everybody's situation is different.? For me with an EJ22 (1994 Legacy) rebuilt to Zero Miles by Steve Johnson (S&S Performance) in Alpine San Diego area...my oil consumption is nil after 5000 miles when I change it.? Now with 75K miles.? Excellent performance
too.? So my question would be?...was this a newly rebuilt motor for you or a transfer from a donor with no overhaul?
On Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 05:05:38 PM PST, Jake de Villiers via groups.io <subyjake@...> wrote:
Mmm. My engine uses a quart every ~2000 miles or so, so I go in there every thousand miles and check.
Doesn't seem like a chore to me, just something I need to do.
|
Typically, but not always, bad rings will be accompanied by or cause some other issues. It becomes "while you're in there" deal. The engine will need to come apart to get to the pistons and inspect the rings.
|
Hi, John!
?
I originally had the SCP flexible dipstick, but could never get a solid bead of oil in the tube. I ended up swapping over to their metal dipstick which works much better. In fact, I don't think SCP even stocks the older flexibly dipstick any more.
?
I did some more research over the lat few days. Some vendors that make their own oil pans are coming up with a design that integrates the fill port with the dipstick, so you can now fill oil from behind the license plate. Smart idea, and I wish more vendors would have done the same. Here's
It's a bit steep so I'm not opting to get it, but it's nice to know there aolutions out there.
|
Hi, Richard!
?
I talked to Steve some time agoo when I was planning my conversion. Great guy with a lot of information!
?
I my situation, my Ej22 (1993 Legacy) was rebuilt by SCP and does not use any/close to none oil. My problem is topping the oil off on the road, where everything in the back hatch has to be moved in order to get the engine lid off. That is a royal PIA to me.
?
I've ordered the pump I described from Amazon, and you can read about it . It should be fine topping off oil through the dipstick guide tube. I mean, how do you top off AT fluid without going through the dipstick tube?
|
That northwesty oil pan is a thing of beauty I saw one in person a number of years ago at their shop. As I understand it they stopped making it before I saw it so I'd be surprised if it's still available?
.... The other issue is it only works with small car engine mount. It does not work the Kennedy or other amounts
Andy Vanis?
505-304-5306 USA and WhatsApp
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 12:12?PM Peter Gibson via <soquel.dude= [email protected]> wrote: Hi, John!
?
I originally had the SCP flexible dipstick, but could never get a solid bead of oil in the tube. I ended up swapping over to their metal dipstick which works much better. In fact, I don't think SCP even stocks the older flexibly dipstick any more.
?
I did some more research over the lat few days. Some vendors that make their own oil pans are coming up with a design that integrates the fill port with the dipstick, so you can now fill oil from behind the license plate. Smart idea, and I wish more vendors would have done the same. Here's
It's a bit steep so I'm not opting to get it, but it's nice to know there aolutions out there.
|
Yup, NorthWesty has that item back-ordered so not sure what that means. I
also like the fact that it holds 6 quarts but I’m not sure if that plays foul
with oil pressure.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: ANDREW via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2025 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: [SubaruVanagon] How are folks topping off oil
levels?
?
That northwesty oil pan is a thing of beauty I saw one in person a number
of years ago at their shop. As I understand it they stopped making it before I
saw it so I'd be surprised if it's still available
?
.... The other issue is it only works with small car engine mount. It does
not work the Kennedy or other amounts
?
Andy Vanis
505-304-5306 USA and
WhatsApp
?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 12:12?PM Peter Gibson via
<soquel.dude@...> wrote:
Hi, John!
?
I originally had the SCP flexible dipstick, but could never get a solid
bead of oil in the tube. I ended up swapping over to their metal dipstick
which works much better. In fact, I don't think SCP even stocks the older
flexibly dipstick any more.
?
I did some more research over the lat few days. Some vendors that make
their own oil pans are coming up with a design that integrates the fill port
with the dipstick, so you can now fill oil from behind the license plate.
Smart idea, and I wish more vendors would have done the same. Here's
It's a bit steep so I'm not opting to get it, but it's nice to know there
aolutions out there.
|
I considered a (license plate door) extended dipstick when doing my SVX swap years ago, but the kit was so sketchy I gave it a pass.? Glad I did, as the engine has never used a drop of oil (between 5,000 mile changes). Engine now has ~ 90 K miles. My other cars don't either, and three of them (M3, XJR, Tundra) are well over 150K miles. Had a 911 that used oil from new, and got rid of it for just this reason. Hate having to add oil...
|
Terry Cline
Joe Bagadonuts