Oil Extractor - Good idea or bad idea?

[BamaB4S]

The Bentley manual approves both methods. MercBenz actually recommends the extraction method due to the potential for contaminated oil coming into contact with rubber suspensioin components and damaging them.

 

[dogdots]

My last Mercedes didn't even have a drain plug and had to be changed extraction method, which is why I bought the extractor in the first place. That car held 7 liters of oil, too

 

[TornadoRed]

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

I had one of those Mityvac extractors, and it failed catastrophically after only one use. Oil all over the place. I tossed it and bought another Pela 6000; the first Pela I owned worked great for 30+ oil changes over about 6 or 7 years, and only failed after it was left in an unheated garage in sub-zero temps, and lost its ability to hold a vacuum.

 

[Van Wylder]

Great idea. Used mine yesterday. It allows you to get the oil inside the filter housing and lines that will not drain by pulling the drain plug. The 6L Pela is worth it. There's a wholesale marine place in Cincinnati that sells them online for about 63 after shipping.

 

[BamaB4S]

Great idea. Used mine yesterday. It allows you to get the oil inside the filter housing and lines that will not drain by pulling the drain plug.

I would probably have and recommend the use of an extractor if a 1996 had a filter housing.

 

[gmcjetpilot]

I bought a Pela 6000 on amazon, after reading all the reviews of the different brands. I am about to do my first oil change.

BTW if you cost the price of oil for Castor Oil SLX Pro 504/507, filter, new drain plug (recommended so you don't call the threads) you are into it for
OIL $8.88 X 5qt
FILTER $9.00 X 1
DRAIN PLUG/WASHER $1.80
TOTAL = $55.20

MY DEALER CHARGES ABOUT $64 FOR AN OIL CHANGE.... So if you don't feel like messing with it, go 10K and go to the dealer. Plus you have to haul the oil some where and dump it.

I am thinking of just changing the oil only at 5K and oil & filter every 10K.... For this first time after driving 5K (I bought the car with 40K) I will do both..... The manual says go 10K. I am just coming up to 5K and 6 months and don't mind spending the $55 or $65. Besides I am taking some road trips in the next two months.

PS the dealer put 5K oil change sticker on my car. When I asked about it, noting the manual says 10K he agreed but said they recommend 5K... profit? Old habits? Heck some people still change oil at 3K.

PSS the dealer put a quart too much when they did the 40K service... I went back and asked how they would get it out. He said Audi recommends extraction and they have a machine just for doing this.....

 

[kcfoxie]

If you're the ultimate in lazy, and don't have a CR (possibly a PD tho I did it with mine)... you can Pella the oil and dump it in the fuel tank (I always make sure the tank is fill up afterwards). 1 gallon of WMO into a 15-gallon tank is like 6% blend...

(I get 30-40k out of my fuel filters doing this, which is an acceptable use rate to me)

The disclaimer: if you blow an injector, run over your dog, get fined for using a non-taxed road fuel in your engine... it's not my fault.

 

[JSWTDI09]

I am thinking of just changing the oil only at 5K and oil & filter every 10K.... For this first time after driving 5K (I bought the car with 40K) I will do both..... The manual says go 10K.

There are valid reasons to wait for the 10k mark. 5k is overkill unless you are racing the car off-road or something.

PS the dealer put 5K oil change sticker on my car. When I asked about it, noting the manual says 10K he agreed but said they recommend 5K... profit? Old habits? Heck some people still change oil at 3K.

Profit is mail reason. Old habit, maybe. the 3k oil changes are for old dyno based oil in old engines. Your car uses high tech synthetic motor oil which does not break down the way old oils do. UOAs (Used Oil Analysis) shows that the oil actually works better between 5 and 10k than in the first 5k. Changing before 10k is a waste of money. You might want to read this post: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2340534&postcount=27

PSS the dealer put a quart too much when they did the 40K service... I went back and asked how they would get it out. He said Audi recommends extraction and they have a machine just for doing this.....

Unfortunately, dealers seem to often use too much oil despite the fact that the owners manual specifically warns against doing this. This is one of the big reason that many members here change their own oil.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[TDI_Dan]

Oil Extractors

I bought a nice steel based extractor from harbor freight. it is air compressor powered. I've not used it for oil yet but I did use it to extract antifreeze for a different vehicle. worked great. $130 plus a couple air fittings. if you already have a compressor, its the way to go.

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

 

[kiva822]

I bought a nice steel based extractor from harbor freight. it is air compressor powered. I've not used it for oil yet but I did use it to extract antifreeze for a different vehicle. worked great. $130 plus a couple air fittings. if you already have a compressor, its the way to go.
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-4-quarter-gallon-oil-extractor-46149.html

I have this model and it works pretty well. I found that, once the majority of oil was extracted, my small compressor struggled to keep up and now I used it with the 20gal. It still needs time to re-pressurize once it starts sucking in air. For example, moving from the crankcase to pulling oil out of the oil cooler...

Overall, I like it better than a Pela, but it can be a bit of a PITA.

Also, make sure you use a 20% off coupon when purchasing...

 

[apbiii]

Well I just used this transfer pump from HF. I needed to change the input hose to a smaller diameter but once I did that it worked great.

http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-66418.html

Very cost effective. I just pumped from the sump to an empty 5qt oil jug so I don't even have to transfer the oil to another container to dump it. I hang it with the hose ends in a jug so it can drain.

 

[andyboy]

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

I did my first Pela 6000 oil change on a 2005 Jetta TDI. After the extraction I put the car up on a lift and got about another 1/2 cup out the drain plug. I am guessing that when the extraction tube hit bottom I should have kept going to get to the lowest point in the oil pan. I stopped because I was afraid the tube may have been "porpoising" up the other side of the pan. I did not have a 2nd pair of hands to re-feed the extractor tube while the plug was out to observe the tube behavior. Next time.

Otherwise the Pela 6000 worked great especially cleaning out the filter canister. No more turkey baster and paper towels!

 

[dzajano]

You won't get every last drop with a vacuum extractor. If there are concerns about metallic debris, a magnetic drain plug may help. BUT you don't get every drop with a pan drain either - there is a residual in the oil filter housing which you can easily get with the Pela. I've pretty much switched to sucking it out from the top and I add the oil into the filter housing before I put the new filter in. Works like a charm

 

[TornadoRed]

Pela not as good as they used to be

Back in 2004 I bought a Pela 6000 -- it worked fine for many years, every 10k miles for about 300k miles.

As I reported earlier, it was left in an unheated garage over the winter and lost its ability to hold a vacuum.

I replaced it with a Mityvac, which failed catastrophically after only a single use. What a mess! That was about $75.00 down the drain.

Then I bought another Pela 6000, and this one is not as well-built as the one I bought so long ago. The pump mechanism is sloppy and it is harder to build up a vacuum. With the last oil change, I am pretty sure I left nearly a quart of old oil in the sump; I simply gave up after about half an hour.

I'd still like to use a topside extractor, but I am not going to buy another one unless I can get a current review. I am fed up with companies that used to make good products but have recently lowered their quality standards.

 

[DPM]

Pela 650 or equivalent. Superb, reliable.

 

[Lightflyer1]

I found one of these on Craigslist for $40.

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/ITT-17800-2000/?gclid=COHh2cHi3rECFWlgTAodQEQACQ

Impellar changeable as well. No more pumping.

 

[kennethsime]

If no one's mentioned it yet, the Pela 650 runs a little more (about $100) but saves your back (taller) and is significantly more stable/robust.

 

[Lefty]

Use my Pella all the time. I have now started using it o my Ford Explorer as it drains it pretty dry too. Been using it on my Jetta since it had 86K miles it now has 253K miles. Rotella T6 In both Truck and car.

 

[Chrisperro]

Bump
Have anyone use this kind of pump ?

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B07Z2V9SM3/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=A5IQCFY0A5J3Y&psc=1

 

[TornadoRed]

Bump
Have anyone use this kind of pump ?

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B07Z2V9SM3/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=A5IQCFY0A5J3Y&psc=1

Yes, I use a pump very much like this one. I don't remember exactly how much I paid, but it was significantly less than $30 at Harbor Freight or maybe it was online. I did have to swap out the hoses because the inside diameter was too narrow.

 

[Chrisperro]

Yes, I use a pump very much like this one. I don't remember exactly how much I paid, but it was significantly less than $30 at Harbor Freight or maybe it was online. I did have to swap out the hoses because the inside diameter was too narrow.

yea is there some on Amazon for as low as 19$
Thank you!

 

[blacksi]

I have a similar one and after a couple of accidental spills from hose popping off or slip out of the drain bucket I decided to just cut a hole where the drain plug is. That was on my alh, I haven't had the heart to cut the new passat but I've only done one oil change so far....

 

[Chrisperro]

I ended buying the pump for 19$ from Amazon. Hooks up to the battery.
what a surprise, worked perfectly, took 5 minutes for all 4 litres. No mess,, no need to go under the vehicle , definitely recommend it for oil/filter changes.

 

[John Wesley Hardin]

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

My 2003 Jetta TDI I turn the wheels all the way to the right ( I think) then lay on the ground, reach under and remove the drain plug while its on level ground . Then change the filter. I carry the socket ratchet and filter wrench in my trunk so I dont Have to look for all that crap when Im ready to change it again .Of course I have ape like appendages and a Neanderthal brain so Im well suited for the task

 

[John Wesley Hardin]

I ended buying the pump for 19$ from Amazon. Hooks up to the battery.
what a surprise, worked perfectly, took 5 minutes for all 4 litres. No mess,, no need to go under the vehicle , definitely recommend it for oil/filter changes.

I like your idea better

 

[John Wesley Hardin]

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!

Yeah, good Idea! sometime ago I posted Walfart changed my oil and put the oil filter in upside down !

 

[Gothmolly]

Any way to keep the Pela from becoming covered in gross, black oil? it seeps through the plastic.

 

[Chrisperro]

Any way to keep the Pela from becoming covered in gross, black oil? it seeps through the plastic.

I used brake cleaner for my pump. I sprayed some in the lines and turned it on for a few seconds.

 

[John Wesley Hardin]

Pela not as good as they used to be

Back in 2004 I bought a Pela 6000 -- it worked fine for many years, every 10k miles for about 300k miles.

As I reported earlier, it was left in an unheated garage over the winter and lost its ability to hold a vacuum.

I replaced it with a Mityvac, which failed catastrophically after only a single use. What a mess! That was about $75.00 down the drain.

Then I bought another Pela 6000, and this one is not as well-built as the one I bought so long ago. The pump mechanism is sloppy and it is harder to build up a vacuum. With the last oil change, I am pretty sure I left nearly a quart of old oil in the sump; I simply gave up after about half an hour.

I'd still like to use a topside extractor, but I am not going to buy another one unless I can get a current review. I am fed up with companies that used to make good products but have recently lowered their quality standards.

You mean like VW ? Haha

 

[Gothmolly]

I used brake cleaner for my pump. I sprayed some in the lines and turned it on for a few seconds.

I meant the white ball reservoir that gets coated with dirty oil.