Do these work? I like that it has a self-contained cannister. Does it get all the old oil out?



Thanks!

 

I've used one of these on a boat before. You have to be very thorough to get all of the oil out and a lot of times they will lose suction frequently. I personally would not suggest it as an alternative to just pulling the drain plug unless you absolutely have to.

 

I've used something like it on a transmission that does not have a drain plug. Better than having to remove the trans to turn it over. The one I had was air powered and maintained good suction all the time.

 

Reviews say that you have to use HOT oil and pump like 50-60 times to get up a good head of suction, otherwise you have to wait like 45 minutes. That's OK with me, actually, since it needs no tending. I'd imagine you can always clip it off again and pump up a new vacuum...

 

I've used a MityVac exclusively for oil changes for years, on my E46 330, E46 325, and my RX-8. Works great. Takes a little bit longer, but a much cleaner process.

 

I used one for a short period of time. Was disappointed with the amount of oil left in the pan. Got a pair of rhino ramps with the Fomoto drain plug and am much happier.

 

funny, i was just looking at these on bmp's website and thinking what a convenient idea. is there any risk w/ this thing? as in does it suck up/out anything unwanted or does the pressure cause any stress on anything?

 

I use one on my Mini (different brand than the topside oil changer). The only disadvantage is you do have to keep pumping it every few minutes so the oil will drain faster....I don't mind though because while I'm waiting for the oil to drain I'm in the kitchen having a beer and it's really no problem walking to the garage to pump the sucker.
Also, I don't mind using this on the cooper because the car is so low to the ground. I used it a couple of times on my SUV but after that I brought a oil drain plug with a valve for the SUV.

 

I have one, although, I have not used it (yet) on my MINI. When the free service runs out, you better bet I will!

I bought it to use on my VW TDI. It had a similar setup to the MINI in that the filter is top loaded.....absolutely no crawling under the car.....and diesels are quite messy....this thing made it a snap.

This is actually the one I have. Love it. Not really very much pumping at all. Maybe 20 or 30 strokes total to get everything out? I highly recommend one! Great suction...

http://www.amazon.com/Pela-Oil-Extra...8020969&sr=8-1

 

Won't damage the car at all, the tube to suck out the oil goes in the dipstick tube.

 

I use a Griot's Garage oil extractor (#10122 $64.99).
Does a great job ( a two beer interval), no ramps and
no mess.

 

I've used a Pela 6000 for many years on my BMW. My car (used) had messed-up drain plug threads when I got it. Instead of getting a new pan or helicoiling, etc., I just bought an extractor. I don't know if I'd go back to the old way again, I just love it. Got it for about $40 at Cabela's.

 

For $30 I got Rhino ramps and the peace of mind I'm getting all the oil out. I've used those pumps before, both manual and electric and really haven't had much luck. We had them at the Marina I worked at. Worked for boats simply because its near impossible to get at the drain plug on a V-Drive.
To each his own though. Sounds like some people like it.

 

I use the Griot's one as well for my "in between" oil changes - so the plug still gets pulled by the stealer for a full drain every 15K miles or so. Very easy - not many pumps required on that one because it has a fairly large tank and the pump builds a good vacuum. It does NOT get ALL the oil out - about 4 quarts is it... but I think that's good enough given that I'm changing at 2-3x the factory recommended interval anyway...

 

I don't even use ramps to change my oil. The drain plug is so close to the front of the car, I can reach under with a wrench and take it out. Changing the oil in my 03 MC is easy as pie.

 

Yes, this is how I mean to do it as well - just shorten the interval. The long dealer service schedule has me worried. I know they say the engine can take it, but it seems painfully wrong to wait so long between changes...

Now I wonder of this will work on my Classic. The last time I took out the drain plug, I saw some corner rounding. Not sure of I want to use this on that car though - the classic has a magnetic drain plug that looked like a Christmas tree, bristling with metal shavings, the last time I had it out.

 

Hi Matt

I have a Pela unit...spherical translucent polyethylene so you can see how full it is getting. It does a great job even with cold oil. You do have to wait a bit though, I think the 45 minutes would be maximum. It doesn't break suction either. I think I got mine for $35 or so.

After it's full you just replace the suck tube with a spout and pour the dirty oil into your empty quart bottles. Ready for the landfill!!

kidding!

 

ditto on the Rhino ramps. they work great. I use them for both my MCS and 330i. As you noted, I feel better knowing I get ALL the fluid out.

 

Used them a lot on boats (Black & Decker had one you chucked in a drill), used one on my VW GTI and pulled the pan after to check results: too damn much sludge left behind. Back to the reach under and get oil on my arm process, the engine's to important to risk for a conveniece.

 

The Fumoto valve is awesome. I Googled it after reading about it on Scottinbend's post (thanks for sharing that one, Scottinbend!).

The one with the nipple would allow you to attach a hose before opening the valve, and run the hose right into a closed (clear) cannister. VERY clean! Attach the hose to the nipple; place open hose end securely into the container; open the valve; wait; close the valve; use rag while you detach the hose from the nipple; swap filters. (sound of needle scratching a record, thus rudely destroying the pleasant DIY background muzak) Whoops. Oh, yeah. Ugh, what a mess! Has anyone found a way to change the filter out without a big hairy PITA?

I've never tried to change the filter myself. It just looks like a terrible mess. I forgot all about that part until I got through the drain-the-oil step.

If somebody knows a slick way to do that part, I might start changing my own again. I already have the ramps.

If not, well Steve's is not THAT far.

 

If you break the filter loose slightly it will empty while your oil drains. Then you can remove it without spilling a drop!

 

Bingo! You'll feel a distinct release of tension in the unscrewing process as the o-ring comes off contact with the wall and before the threads start bumping to indicate you're "off". Leave the filter housing sitting there, unscrewed but not removed, for 5+ minutes (go do something that takes 5 minutes ). With the suction released the oil drains out into the pan, so leave the plug out and drip pan in place to catch the drippage.

I still put a rag/paper towel under the housing before unscrewing to catch anything, and to catch any stray drip from the filter when finally removing (there wasn't even a drip!).

 

Hmmm... it's sounding like nothing beats the tried-and-true gravity drain system. Oh, well, I was in the market for some ramps anyway - jacking up my classic is a PITA and it sounds like on the new MINI there's sufficient clearance just on ramps to reach the drain plug.

Thanks!

 

The heck is a PITA?

 

Pain In The A$$