DIY oil change?

[iGas]

Anyone here own & use an oil extractor?
Does it work well compare to drain from the bottom?

 

[LordMorpheus]

All my experience with oil extractors are second hand, so take it how you will.

I've heard they don't quite get as much oil out as taking the drain plug out, but work nearly as well.

However, you've got to get under the car anyway to get the filter off, so I don't really see the point. What would make sense is to put one of those valves in place of your drain plug as you can just get under the car and open it with a finger, rather than a wrench.

something like this: http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

I'd do a little more research to make sure that the brand is solid before I'd buy one.

But really, for all of this stuff I don't really see the point. The drain plug takes maybe one percent of your time during an oil change, I spend all of my wrestling with my filter.

 

[SoulAssassin]

I use an extractor on my jeep and it works great, I've sucked out as much as I can and then pulled the drain plug and it was literally like 3 drops that came out. It gets everything. Getting under the (lifted) Jeep isn't a problem but it's much cleaner using the extractor.

 

[iGas]

All my experience with oil extractors are second hand, so take it how you will.

I've heard they don't quite get as much oil out as taking the drain plug out, but work nearly as well.

However, you've got to get under the car anyway to get the filter off, so I don't really see the point. What would make sense is to put one of those valves in place of your drain plug as you can just get under the car and open it with a finger, rather than a wrench.

something like this: http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

I'd do a little more research to make sure that the brand is solid before I'd buy one.

But really, for all of this stuff I don't really see the point. The drain plug takes maybe one percent of your time during an oil change, I spend all of my wrestling with my filter.

Thanks for the tip with the oil ball valve.

 

[zerocool84]

I would definitely love one of those. I hate right when you take out the plug the oil just shoots out and you have to position your pan just right so it does't get everywhere. I never get it perfect but this would help a lot I'm sure.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ dude this is what so fun about it.

 

[exdeath]

You only miss the pan the first time you ever change oil. After that you learn to put the pan 3 feet away at first and not under the drain, it's not really that big a deal. 😉

The hardest part of an oil change is standing around waiting for the old oil to finish draining, so taking 5 seconds longer to undo a drain bolt isn't exactly eating your time. Use that time to fill the new filter and lube the o ring, remove all the caps from your quarts and line them up, pick your nose a bit, and still waiting.

 

[canadageek]

1) lift car on jackstands
2) loosen the drain bolt
3) position pan
4) let the oil drain
5) open a beer while you wait
6) put a new copper washer on the bolt, put it back in and get it to about hand tight.
7) replace the oil filter, don't forget to lube up the new o-ring
8) fill however much oil the manufacturer says, but leave out a little bit (100-200ml)
9)take the car off the jacks, make sure it's on a level surface
10) start the motor, let it run a bit
11) check oil, finish beer, have a smoke, drink another, etc, you're done.

 

[skyking]

Here's a tip for DIY oil changers:
If you have a side mounted filter that makes a huge mess down the side of the engine block, poke a hole in the top corner of the filter.
I have a 98 camry and it drools a bunch of oil as you unscrew the filter.
I take a long screwdriver and poke an airhole in the filter. it drains out completely. Not even a drop of oil rolls down the engine now. I come home, poke the filter, go inside for a half hour and then go remove the drain plug. I prefer draining it when it is not scalding hot.

 

[iGas]

Here's a tip for DIY oil changers:
If you have a side mounted filter that makes a huge mess down the side of the engine block, poke a hole in the top corner of the filter.
I have a 98 camry and it drools a bunch of oil as you unscrew the filter.
I take a long screwdriver and poke an airhole in the filter. it drains out completely. Not even a drop of oil rolls down the engine now. I come home, poke the filter, go inside for a half hour and then go remove the drain plug. I prefer draining it when it is not scalding hot.

07 Camry V6 use cartridge type filter that reuse the housing and is mounted under the engine.

 

[skyking]

old 4 bangers are right on the side and drool about a cup all over the place.

 

[Hyperlite]

Here's a tip for DIY oil changers:
If you have a side mounted filter that makes a huge mess down the side of the engine block, poke a hole in the top corner of the filter.
I have a 98 camry and it drools a bunch of oil as you unscrew the filter.
I take a long screwdriver and poke an airhole in the filter. it drains out completely. Not even a drop of oil rolls down the engine now. I come home, poke the filter, go inside for a half hour and then go remove the drain plug. I prefer draining it when it is not scalding hot.

hmmm...this would work for me! thanks for the tip!

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Here's a tip for DIY oil changers:
If you have a side mounted filter that makes a huge mess down the side of the engine block, poke a hole in the top corner of the filter.
I have a 98 camry and it drools a bunch of oil as you unscrew the filter.
I take a long screwdriver and poke an airhole in the filter. it drains out completely. Not even a drop of oil rolls down the engine now. I come home, poke the filter, go inside for a half hour and then go remove the drain plug. I prefer draining it when it is not scalding hot.

Interesting. My ranger is like this. I always thought it was the anti-drainback valve just holding some oil back. I'll give it a try next time..

 

[jagec]

Here's a tip for DIY oil changers:
If you have a side mounted filter that makes a huge mess down the side of the engine block, poke a hole in the top corner of the filter.
I have a 98 camry and it drools a bunch of oil as you unscrew the filter.
I take a long screwdriver and poke an airhole in the filter. it drains out completely. Not even a drop of oil rolls down the engine now. I come home, poke the filter, go inside for a half hour and then go remove the drain plug. I prefer draining it when it is not scalding hot.

Every time I change the oil on my MR2, I swear that I'm going to buy an oil filter relocation kit. Lots of hot pipes, oil filter tucked away in a place that's invisible from above OR below, and yes, it pisses oil all over the place when you take it off.

I might have to try poking a hole in it next time...IF I have enough space to even fit a screwdriver down there.

 

[DrPizza]

I need to get one of those oil extractors for doing the boat motor. Anyone have a preferred brand? Anything that makes one better than another? As far as oil changes on the car - a local non-chain oil change place is just far too convenient. Drive in, pop hood, and drive out about 5 minutes later. They have a basement area below, so they don't have to put your car on a lift to work on it. 5 minutes or less, about $25. Plus, since the oil is nice and hot, I'm sure more goes out than if it were colder & more viscous.

 

[KK]

anyone have one of those quickvalve plugs? I just changed the oil on my windstar and noticed afterwards it has a slow leak around the original plug. Was thinking next oil change to go ahead and get one of those quickvalves. And while I was purchasing one I'd pick one up for my tundra. It has a skid plate that I gotta take off everytime I change it, dunno if this would eliminate that step. I'll have to see if I'll need to remove it anyways for the oil filter.

 

[SparkyJJO]

6) put a new copper washer on the bolt, put it back in and get it to about hand tight.

Only if your drain plug uses a copper washer. Not all do (neither of my cars I have had use them).

 

[SoulAssassin]

I need to get one of those oil extractors for doing the boat motor. Anyone have a preferred brand? Anything that makes one better than another? As far as oil changes on the car - a local non-chain oil change place is just far too convenient. Drive in, pop hood, and drive out about 5 minutes later. They have a basement area below, so they don't have to put your car on a lift to work on it. 5 minutes or less, about $25. Plus, since the oil is nice and hot, I'm sure more goes out than if it were colder & more viscous.

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Pela-Oil-Extra.../dp/B0000BYO97
It's alright, but the vacuum pump is a separate removable piece that you could potentially lose.

My buddy has this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...EYJ8GR8WE0NF04

though probably in a smaller size. I like his slightly better but the reviews on mine seem better.

 

[DietDrThunder]

old 4 bangers are right on the side and drool about a cup all over the place.

Boy do I know that. I had a '91 Geo Storm with the horizontally opposed 4 banger. The oil filter was mounted on the side of the engine block, right next to the fire wall. You could not get to the oil filter from under the car. You had to loosen and remove from the top. Even with draining the oil from the pan first, you still had oil running down the engine block and you could never get it all wiped up.

 

[angry hampster]

Here's a tip for DIY oil changers:
If you have a side mounted filter that makes a huge mess down the side of the engine block, poke a hole in the top corner of the filter.
I have a 98 camry and it drools a bunch of oil as you unscrew the filter.
I take a long screwdriver and poke an airhole in the filter. it drains out completely. Not even a drop of oil rolls down the engine now. I come home, poke the filter, go inside for a half hour and then go remove the drain plug. I prefer draining it when it is not scalding hot.

Wish I'd have thought of that with my old Jeep. :lol: That thing used to splatter oil everywhere.

 

[PM650]

Here's a tip for DIY oil changers:
If you have a side mounted filter that makes a huge mess down the side of the engine block, poke a hole in the top corner of the filter.
I have a 98 camry and it drools a bunch of oil as you unscrew the filter.
I take a long screwdriver and poke an airhole in the filter. it drains out completely. Not even a drop of oil rolls down the engine now. I come home, poke the filter, go inside for a half hour and then go remove the drain plug. I prefer draining it when it is not scalding hot.

Guess I've been spoiled by my friend's 97 camry with an apparently failed drain-back valve 😱 No oily mess for me when changing filters 😛

 

[skyking]

Guess I've been spoiled by my friend's 97 camry with an apparently failed drain-back valve 😱 No oily mess for me when changing filters 😛

lucky you. My car would horde that crap in there forever if I did not give it a breather hole.

 

[JulesMaximus]

All my experience with oil extractors are second hand, so take it how you will.

I've heard they don't quite get as much oil out as taking the drain plug out, but work nearly as well.

However, you've got to get under the car anyway to get the filter off, so I don't really see the point. What would make sense is to put one of those valves in place of your drain plug as you can just get under the car and open it with a finger, rather than a wrench.

something like this: http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

I'd do a little more research to make sure that the brand is solid before I'd buy one.

But really, for all of this stuff I don't really see the point. The drain plug takes maybe one percent of your time during an oil change, I spend all of my wrestling with my filter.

Does the filter ever win?

 

[Raizinman]

I've heard too many stories of someone driving over a branch or hitting something under the car damaging the oil change ball valve causing the oil to spill out. Being that the oil drain plug is about the lowest point on the vehicle, adding anything longer on to it, is a recipe for disaster! It's not worth damaging your engine to save 20 or 30 seconds in oil change convenience.

As for the oil extractors, Mercedes Benz dealerships have been using them for many years. I have one at home that uses compressed air to vacuum out the oil from the crankcase. I don't see any problem using one of these extractors on well maintained vehicles. On the other hand, if your vehicle is not maintained, the sludge and debris settles on the bottom of the oil pan and will not get sucked into the extractor, but will instead grow larger and larger.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Extractors are used on boats all the time. They work well if you use them correctly.


They absolutely do not and cannot get as much oil out as removing the plug, but you're talking about such a trivial amount that it makes no difference.