Anyone tried this:

http://www.promini.com/product-exec/...arch_model/100

I was looking for a power bleeder, and ran across this for an oil change--I'm skeptical about how well this would work (specificaly with regard to getting any engine shavings/crud out), but if it does work well, it would be a relatively easy way to change the oil without lifting the car (and messing with the drain plug).

(Sorry mods--I revived a thread about this in the first gear forum, but since I doubt too many people will look at that thread there, I started one in here).

 

I'de love to have something like this if it worked, I have a skid plate underneath the oil pan.

 

I use them on my TDI NB and find they work well.

 

I'm thinking of just ordering it and giving it a shot--have you tried using it on your Mini?

 

If you have the skid plate I can understand this would be great, but I am just to old school.
I like to know the heavy stuff is coming out the drain plug, gravity works.

If you get one, be careful when the vacume is up. I have seen a couple of these crush in when pumped (sucked?) up and something got set on top of it. The can just caved-in.

 

I can't see how you would get a good drain using one of these. As for use with a skidplate I have one & it's no problem reaching the drain plug. A set of ramps makes getting to the plug very easy. Just my .02 here.

 

I'm just throwing a rock in the pond to see who gets bobbed around a little. With auto maintenance, in my world there are no shortcuts. If you care, do it right. Ramps and the conventional way is the only way to go,,,, of course if you are of the BMW 10,000 oil change crowd,,, it doesn't matter. Forgive my sacsasm... I'm just in a bad mood.

YD

 

Those things work great! And only $25.99 at Harbor Freight.

No, you don't really use them to change oil unless it's an inboard engine in a boat. They are useful for sucking the ATF out of automatic transmissions, especially from cars with no drain plug ("lifetime" fluid-yeah, right). Then you can drop the pan without the usual mess! I used one today to suck the gear oil out of a front differential (no way to remove the cover without dropping the whole IFS diff out... boy was that oil black after 100,000 miles) Also useful for power steering fluid changes (how often would you do that without a tool like this? Literally five minutes after you first notice the fluid smells burnt it can be out already). So it is a handy tool to have around, that encourages you not to procrastinate and to perform regular maintenance more frequently. Not a bad thing in my book.

There are also electric ones at the local boat/marine stores that you can use to both pump old fluid out and new fluid back in through fill plugs with difficult access.

But for changing the oil in a skidplate-equipped MINI, a Fumoto valve with a short length of hose is recommended. You can tuck the hose up above the skidplate until it is needed to drain the oil.

 

BFG9000,
Thanks for the Harbor Freight link. Tough to go wrong for $26. I figure suck the oil out every other change with a new filter. It may not be as good as draining it at 5000 miles but it's better than going 10,000+ as advertised by MINI. A nice middle ground.

 

just bring it over to my house and i will change your oil. I have to do mine soon anyway....lol

 

I was thinking the same thing--I think that's the route I 'm going to go.