Nitpickers Recommendation

Although I have never used an oil extractor, it seems that it would be most effective if the car was on a slope with the front end lower than the back. This is suggested since the dipstick in the R56 is at the front of the engine compartment.

If draining through the pan plug, the reverse would be better since the plug is near the back of the pan.

 

I used the Pela 6000 exclusively on my TDI from 50,000 to 200,000 miles. Oil analysis showed no issues. Car could still go 10k between changes without losing more than .5 quart of oil. And most of that came out the pcv.

After 7 years the clear plastic hose cracked when I was digging it out of he garage in the cold. I need to get a replacement hose.

I had no issues with the tube collapsing under hot or cold conditions. It does take for-freaking-ever when the oil is cold.

The MINI is much easier to change from underneath than the VW. (no skidplate like on the VW) Still, I can NEVER use those oil drain catch cans without spilling some oil. Pela changes I can do without spilling a drop.

There was another advantage (like VF said) on the VW because it had an oil cooler. You could suck the oil out of the oil cooler with the Pela. In that case, you were actually removing MORE oil than you could by using the drain plug. I'm not sure how much oil you can get out of the MINI filter housing with the Pela. I guess I'll find out in 15,000 miles or so!

 

The lazy guy can always find the easiest way. But this seems messy, cumbersome and lacks the undercarridge inspection.

When I was maintaining 6 vehicles, I quickly got organized with a mainenance sheet. I listed for each vehicle oil type, filter numbers, even drain plug wrench size. Bought a large drain pan, some Rhino ramps and never looked back. Those ramps help get a small car up to a more ergo height for any engine work too.

 

It is neither lazy, messy nor cumbersome.

You put the tube in, pump the handle a few times, and wait.

All of the oil goes directly into the container.

A quick wipe of the suction tube on the way out of the dipstick tube takes care of the oil that might drip.

Remove the hose and replace the cap on the container. Take to recycling.

It does lack the undercarriage inspection. Of course, in the 500,000 miles I've driven and maintained cars over the past 20 years I've never found (nor missed) anything during an undercarriage inspection.

These cars are designed to have their oil changed this way. When you're including 3 yrs maintenance on every car you sell, you can save a whole pile of money by not tying up service lifts for oil changes. With the filter on top you can send an inexperienced tech out to the parking lot with a vaccuum pump to change the oil and check the fluids.

By all means, if you enjoy laying on the garage floor, continue to do so. I will still have to do the oil changes on my Pilot this way. (filter on the bottom) But until you've completed (or even witnessed) a topside oil change.... don't besmirch us "topsiders" as lazy!

 

Man, if a stealership does it that way - I would be flabbergasted. I would expect an overall inspection under and over the vehicle - that's what the paperwork shows.

Anyone here work in a MINI service bay?

 

MINI Service here.. We put the car on a lift and drain the oil out of the pan the old fashioned way

 

I remember someone else saying it in another thread.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...l-changes.html

 

See for yourself, & then decide. 2008 R56 MINI Cooper S topside Oil and Filter Change:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TCUd...eature=related

 

I also have a Mityvac 7201. I use it on my Jeep Cherokee, Ford Fusion, and have had success on a 2000 Honda Accord and my friend's 2010 Clubman.

Extract the oil when it is still hot. All of the particles in the oil are still in suspension that way. After extracting from the Clubman, I pulled the drain plug to see what kind of residual oil was left in the pan. I let it sit with the drain plug removed, on a flat surface, for ten minutes. Only 2 drops came out. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes including filter change. Even though I suck the oil out I still take a look at everything underneath. The process of changing the oil may be easier but I refuse to neglect any maintenance items ever.

If you want to use one go ahead. I have a lot of vehicles to maintain and do work for others in my spare time. The Mityvac has been a great tool so far and I plan to always have one. On the Jeep it is wonderful not only for oil changes but also for differentials, transmissions, power steering systems, transfer cases, and bleeding brakes.

For any oil related questions take a look at www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

Simply amazing....