Oil Extractor - Good idea or bad idea?

irbk

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So I'm coming up on another oil change and I'm contemplating the idea of an oil extractor. I've got a PD, so it really can't hurt to change the oil more often than I currently do (I currently just change at the recommended interval). Where it does hurt is my pocket book! I was thinking that if I invested in an oil extractor, I could change my own oil for like 1/2 the price of taking it to my mechanic.
I'm curious to know if it's a good idea or not, if you use one, what you use, how much it cost, and if you like it or not.
Thanks in advance
 

belome

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The only realy downside is that you won't look at the bottom of the motor for leaks and other telltale signs of impending doom if you use an extractor.
 

Mike_Van

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Love mine. I think the PELA 6000 was $50 or $60, but worth it.
The ability to suck the oil out of the oil filter housing is a big plus.

The only 'mistake' I've made is not having my oil warm enough while trying to use it -- it works, but just takes forever.
 

irbk

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The only realy downside is that you won't look at the bottom of the motor for leaks and other telltale signs of impending doom if you use an extractor.
To be completely fair, if I was going to do the oil change myself not using an extractor I likely wouldn't notice leaks or other impending signs of doom anyway....
 

irbk

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...I think the PELA 6000 was $50 or $60, but worth it...
Oh, $50 or $60 is reasonable. I was thinking the things were several hundred so $50 or $60 isn't bad at all. Thanks for the input.
 

Bosley

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I have done all my oil changes since taking my new PD off the lot in '06. I use a Pela that was about $60 from a local marine shop. I let the engine run for a short time to warm the oil before the change and have never had a problem or concern. For me the Pela has more than paid for itself.
 

belome

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Yeah, but the big advantage of using it is you don't have to remove the skid plate. If you don't remove it, it is much harder to spot oil seepage.

edit - oops, I misunderstood your post.

Maybe the real answer is it may be in your best interest to actually have someone do it then.
 

irbk

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...Maybe the real answer is it may be in your best interest to actually have someone do it then.
I'm fairly sure I recall my mechanic saying that he uses an extractor too!
 

JSWTDI09

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I bought my Pela from Dieselgeek ($55.00) at the same time as I bought my skid plate. I used it just last weekend. I drove my car around the block to warm up the oil, and sucked all the oil out of the crankcase and the oil filter/cooler. Then I used it to suck the diesel fuel out of the fuel filter canister (which cleans out the hose pretty well). Works perfectly!

The only caveat with a Pela is that you have to pump by hand to create the vacuum. If you are lazy, you could spend a little more and get an electric unit.

I'm fairly sure I recall my mechanic saying that he uses an extractor too!
The "official" (Bentley) Service Manual says to drain or extract the oil from the engine, so using an extractor is a VW approved method of changing the oil. That said, an underside inspection is still a good idea.

Have Fun!

Don

P.S. The $55.00 from Dieselgeek includes shipping.
 
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irbk

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...The only caveat with a Pela is that you have to pump by hand to create the vacuum. If you are lazy, you could spend a little more and get an electric unit...
Is it a LOT of pumping or just some? The nice thing about non-electric anything is it just tends to be simpler and thus more hardy... meaning the hand pump will probably last longer than an electric pump.
 

JSWTDI09

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Is it a LOT of pumping or just some? The nice thing about non-electric anything is it just tends to be simpler and thus more hardy... meaning the hand pump will probably last longer than an electric pump.
I did not count pumps, but i would call it some pumping. Maybe 10 strokes to get it started. IIRC, I repeated this about 2 or 3 times to extract all the oil (4 liters). Then a few more while I extracted the oil from the filter/cooler. The vacuum goes away pretty fast when it starts sucking air (at the end), so more pumping is necessary trying to get the last little bit of oil out of the filter/cooler. All and all - I would not pay the extra for an electric unit (but then again, I'm pretty cheap:rolleyes:).

Have Fun!

Don
 

irbk

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Fair enough! I've not headed over to dieselgeek to price things out yet but it sounds a lot like (unless I'm feeling really lazy) the hand pump isn't that big of a deal. It's not like trying to put out a fire with one of those old fashioned hand well pumps!
 

ctnatureboy

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It's a piece of cake and I HIGHLY recommend it. The one thing to make note of is not to draw HOT oil as the canister of the unit as it is plastic and will deform under the force of the vacuum. This would NOT be covered under the unit's warranty.

FWIW I have a mityvac 7201, clean it out real good, and use it to feed the transmission oil into the reverse switch hole.
 

irbk

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I was just checking out PELA's website. I'd not even considered using it for the mower (riding or walk behind) or motorcycle. That would ROCK! I think i'm totally buying one of these. Thanks for all the advice folks! I really appreciate it!
 

rackaracka

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Monroe, NJ
I start my riding mower, walk behind mower, snow blower, pressure washer,... and let them all run and get good and hot. Then I suck them all out with the pela. It makes quick / easy / clean work of doing that annual service.

It's great on the ALH's and perfect on the ML320 that I servce. I still get under the cars on a regular basis, but the Pela is a great tool to have. If you've ever changed an oil cooler, or replaced the seals, a suction pump is awesome for that otherwise really messy job.

Storing the tubing can be a bit of a nuisance. I have some wire rack shelving that I store drain pans and funnels on, and I keep it there. It holds itself between the wire rack grid because it natually wants to straighten itself out. I just bend each section into a U shape and push it into the grid sections that are about 18" apart.
 

dogdots

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I use mine on my ski boat (302 Ford V8 I/O) SOOOO MUCH EASIER and cleaner :), motorcycles, tractor, lawn equipment, all the road vehicles, etc.

Mine is the mityvac brand, got it from amazon, holds over 7 liters, had to get it to do topside oil changes on the Mercedes, there's no drain plug in that one and it holds 7 liters :eek:
 

bjmarler

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I love my Pella! Works like a charm unless it's the dead of winter. I had my oil clog up in the extract pipe last winter because I didn't get it warm enough before I started pumping. Uggghhh... :)

So, just a note to myself, ... don't change the oil when its only 10F outside... LOL
 

irbk

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You folks have sold me. I'm totally getting one. Now just to find the ~$60 in the budget somewhere.
 

PDJetta

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I use the Pela 6000. I have done every oil change with the Pela (except the one at 100,000 miles in order to pull an oil sample). I feel you get more out with it. It gets everything out of the oil pan if you shove the suction tube along the bottom of the pan for an inch or so and you can also suction all the oil out of the filter housing.

The Pela also primes my fuel filter after changing.

I have a 35 pound steel skid plate and the Pela prevents me having to remove it for oil changes. I love it.

"The only realy downside is that you won't look at the bottom of the motor for leaks and other telltale signs of impending doom if you use an extractor. "

I do that when I rotate my tires. I can get a good look with the front tires off.

"The one thing to make note of is not to draw HOT oil as the canister of the unit as it is plastic and will deform under the force of the vacuum."

You may not want to extract the oil when really hot but the Pela plastic is durable. I always extract mine within a couple of minutes after a full warm up, as hot as the oil will get. In the summer, its scalding hot after my 25-mile commute home and I have never had an issue with failure of the Pela due to it.

--Nate
 
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whiplash willy

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What do you guys do with the extractor's hose in between oil changes, to keep it clean so the next change won't contaminate the engine?
 

PDJetta

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I leave the suction pump on mine and wrap the hose gently around the plastic tank, looping it through the handle and then stick the Pela on a shelf in the garage. Before using I wipe off the hose end with a paper towel.

--Nate
 

AndyBees

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I fabricated my own electric oil extractor.......better than anything you can buy. But, I still say get under the bottom at least every other oil change! Look around for oil leaks streaming down the back side of the engine, TB end of the engine, tranny oil leaks, CV joint boot inspection, rack & pinion boot inspection, power steering line leaks, leaky shocks, damaged pieces parts after the last time you bottomed it on one of those shovel ready pot holes, etc.

As I recall, hot oil is the recommended method to be changing ..........all 'dat stuff is in suspension and drains out!

I'm guessing it's been well over 40 years since the last time I paid someone to botch an oil change for me!
 

Gil

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Some people are afraid to change oil using a pump for some reason. I ask them if they know how it is done on a boat.
 

PDJetta

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Some lawnmowers don't have drain plugs any more. The instructions say to drain the oil to either turn the mower over and pour out, or use a pump to extract the oil oil.

--Nate
 

AndyBees

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..........well, for every drop you "leave in the oil pan and filter housing" there is probably 1,000,000 drops through-out the engine oiling system left behind lingering, such as in the..........oil galleries of the block and head, the oil sprayers at the bottom of the cylinders, inside the oil cooler, between the surfaces of the bearings and journals (crankshaft/camshaft), inside the oil pump, throughout all surfaces that oil comes in contact with such as the top of head, oil pan, block, directional baffle at bottom end, baffling inside the valve cover, the five major drain-back holes down thru the block from the head, inside the "hydraulic" lifters, Turbo charger, Turbo charger oil feed line, etc.

Has anyone ever extracted with their Pela or other means and then removed the oil drain plug just to see what might flow out?

This engine had the oil drained out over 4 years ago. It still drips a few drops out everyday! See the old news papers underneath.....to catch the drippings? I suppose the point is, no matter how you do your oil change, there's going to be a good amount of residual left lingering behind........., just smile and think, job well done! The specs for the old MK1 engines was to change the oil filter every other oil change.....yep!
 
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procupine14

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Yeah, doesn't matter what system you use, you will never get all of the oil out. I don't have a Pella extractor yet. Eventually I will probably get one but, for now, I just jack up the car the old fashioned way. It is actually funny because if I'm checking other things while the oil is draining sometimes I have a little more oil drain out than is average. I only notice because it takes more oil to fill when I take longer checking things out. I suppose it is a bit of oil here and there finally dripping off and running out while it is draining for a long time.
 

Gil

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One other nice thing you can do is use the drain oil in your lawn mower. I have done this for many years.
The oil is nice and clean from the oil extractor and has a lot of life left in it ( check the lube posts )
Checking the level in the mower is easy because it is black.
The synthetic oil has a very high temperature rating which is just what an air cooled engine needs IMHO.
OK, have at me.:)
 

pedroYUL

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I don't regret buying my mityvac even tho I paid some $100+ for it up here in Canada
 

kiva822

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If you have a compressor, iv'e enjoyed this HF special (recommended by another forum member):

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-4-quarter-gallon-oil-extractor-46149.html

I thing I got it on coupon for like $99. . Sucks the oil out in like 3-4min. Once it no longer has sealed vaccuum, it's a bit of a pain to recharge the system and pull some more, but i like it. It works for me because I'm changing the oil in our 2 tdi's + a couple of others. I end up taking it to the recycler about 1x/yr. Probably overkill for you, but I thought I'd mention it.

As a total side note: how does one tell if a car allows for dipstick extraction? That is, how do you know it's ok to do it on, say, an 05 Subaru or an 05 civic, etc?

thanks

matt
 
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