Oil extractor

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I borrow a friends Sealy one, works well.
I have used a Lidl one, if I had the choice, for the amount of time I need one I would chose the Lidl one.

 

[RonA]

Hi

I am thinking about buying one of these. Are they worth buying. Would save a lot of hassle as my car is pretty low etc. What are peoples thoughts

Regards

Not a fan of them myself, just a piece of kit aimed at garages to speed up but not necessarily do the job better. Still prefer to give the engine good run to get the oil hot & then drain in the time honoured way, hopefully removing as much grunge from the bottom of the sump as possible.
Just slightly of thread, a mate, a VW owner, said he always added a pre oil change additive (bought at VW dealers apparently) to help scour the engine of built up grunge before a service. Anybody used it or similar, how effective is it?
RonA

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Not a fan of them myself, just a piece of kit aimed at garages to speed up but not necessarily do the job better. Still prefer to give the engine good run to get the oil hot & then drain in the time honoured way, hopefully removing as much grunge from the bottom of the sump as possible.
Just slightly of thread, a mate, a VW owner, said he always added a pre oil change additive (bought at VW dealers apparently) to help scour the engine of built up grunge before a service. Anybody used it or similar, how effective is it?
RonA

I've used the additives in the past and they are quite good. There are basically two types - add to oil, run to operating tempt them drain or add to oil and drive up to 100 miles before draining. I always preferred the 100 mile type. Only really worth using on older engine designs that use non synthetic oils as modern engines aren't as "dirty".

 

[CompoSimmonite]

They were selling them at my local Lidl (i rate Lidl tools),didnt buy one as i have enough tools alrady and i love laying on the cold ground with oil dripping down my arm

What about dropping the sump plug into the container which then has the hot oil in ? That is always fun fishing it out.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@CompoSimmonite
Or watching someone drop the plug on a slopping drive and watching roll down the hill?

 

[armalites]

Isn't the problem with these that the crud in the sump isn't flushed out through the drain plug but left there as the extractor goes in the dipstick hole that doesn't usually point at the lowest part of the sump

I used to think this but as long as it is done after a run no issues. In many cases the extractors will actually get more oil out than removing the sump plug. The sump plugs aren't always in the bottom of the pan and due to the fact there is a difference in thickness in the flange and the sump there is often a small lip of a few mm.(I aprreciate there cases where that may not be the case)

When you have a extractor you are far more likely to change your oil often than if you don't so the likelihood of there being crap left in the sump is far less anyway. When I first got mine I did a test, sucked it out with the extractor and then removed the sump plug and not even a drip came out. Due to the shape of different sumps there is a bit of practice required in getting everything out.

IMHO it's worth getting a decent one, MityVac(Also rebranded by SnapOn) or Pela seem to be the best.The performance on my MityVac is way better than my previous one.

 

[migcurious]

I used to think this but as long as it is done after a run no issues. In many cases the extractors will actually get more oil out than removing the sump plug. The sump plugs aren't always in the bottom of the pan and due to the fact there is a difference in thickness in the flange and the sump there is often a small lip of a few mm.(I aprreciate there cases where that may not be the case)

When you have a extractor you are far more likely to change your oil often than if you don't so the likelihood of thre being crap left in the sump is far less anyway. When I first got mine I did a test, sucked it out with the extractor and then removed the sump plug and not even a drip came out. Due to the shape of different sumps there is a bit of practice required in getting everything out.

IMHO it's worth getting a decent one, MityVac(Also rebranded by SnapOn) or Pela seem to be the best.The performance on my MityVac is way better than my previous one.

Great answer I agree that normal draining doesn't always remove the sludge and a great point about doing it more often. I will

 

[awemawson]

It always used to be standard practice to use a 'flushing oil" - go for a run, get the engine hot, drain it of original oil, put in the flushing oil, go for a none taxing run, drain it and fill with the new proper oil.

Not heard of that being done in many a year

Probably modern oils have much better detergent properties than they did then in the 50's and 60's.

 

[Mee]

Most modern oils do have better detergents to flush out engines, they also have better suspension properties so if you run the engine before draining, the particles are suspended in the oil rather than droping to the bottom of the sump.

 

[zx9]

I have a 6L sealy one & it's one of the most useful tools I have in my workshop. As well as sucking oil it gets used for starting syphons (saves a mouthful of fuel), bleeding brakes, cleaning out fuel filter housings plus many other uses.

I have the 6L Sealey too, just attach an air line and get on with the oil and air filters, I just have to remember the Vito has a 9L sump so don't get too distracted on the first suck.

 

[johnik]

@CompoSimmonite
Or watching someone drop the plug on a slopping drive and watching roll down the hill?

and straight down the drain

 

[migcurious]

and straight down the drain

Or the classic ford drain plug made of peanut butter and rounded off and a washer the thickness of a rizzla ,my parts rack has one of each from years ago

 

[Am333rcr]

Hi

Thanks for the replies and feedback. I think you would be more inclined to do things . If it's as easy as it sounds

Regards

 

[migcurious]

Hi

Thanks for the replies and feedback. I think you would be more inclined to do things . If it's as easy as it sounds

Regards

whats a make or break on this is how easy it is to get to the oilfilter if you have to climb about under the car you may as well use the traditional method

That said screwfix is selling the pela 6ltr for £49.99 Correction :its not a Pela and is described by screwfix as not having a brand but looks just like a Pela

 

[Am333rcr]

Hi

I have a wee 13plate skoda diesel. The filter is at the top of engine.so their is no need to remove plastic tray or anything from underneath

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

As I said I have access to one, yes they can be easy to use.
But some cars it can be a right royal pain in the ask no questions to get the suction tube down the dip stick holes.

But on the other hand, some modern cars, have a plastic air ducting/ noise reducing trim under the engine what is a royal pain as well.

So I look at the job, weigh ups the pros and cons and decide to I drain the old fashioned way or let the machine vacuum it out.

That said, some small emergency light generators do not have a drain plug and so it has to be pumped out.

As I said, let the job show you how easy it is.

 

[migcurious]

Hi

I have a wee 13plate skoda diesel. The filter is at the top of engine.so their is no need to remove plastic tray or anything from underneath

Oil extractor for you than !!!

 

[Am333rcr]

I havent looked at dipstick hole really tbh. But it's a we monte carlo tech so it's fairly low. Also at my new I am kind of limited with tools at the moment.they are all at my mum and dads.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@Am333rcr
If you go down the route of the extractor, on a Skoda you will the narrow pipe. The standard, I think it is 6mm, but don't quote me on that, is a bit thick walled to get it down the tube.

It can be done, but it doesn't always make it first, second, third or forth go.

 

[8ob]

Is there a camera on the end of these sucky gadgets so you can check for any metal/debris on the magnetic drain plugs?

Bob