Oil Removal Pumps

[TonyG]

Hi Guys,

Now can I just say, - I've been crawling around under cars since 1967 changing oil. I have this very afternoon serviced a Citroen Berlingo Multispace and a 1.0 litre Micra. But time marches on and I'll be 60 next year (despite the fact I still cycle, jog and weight train) and I don't do any winter work unless I have to, on cars now - that is, if I want to walk the following day! Hopefully that has cleared the way for my question without being accused of being frightened of dirtying my hands

Do any of you use oil removal pumps on your cars? You know, you insert a tube down the dipstick tube, pump a few times and it fills a container. Another reason I'm asking is that the Citroen turned out to have a bl**dy helicoil in the sump drain plug hole. I've sealed the plug back in again but would not look forward to the next oil change!! (I could also buy a Smart - which doesn't have a sump plug and need one of these, although I'd probably use my bike more than a Smart ).

The questions arise I know. How to get metal particles out of the sump through a tube, especially if anyone has a magnetic sump plug etc. Flushing oil maybe be partially the solution to a good clean out.

But on our Fronteras there may also be advantages of having a pump. Even if it's only to nick some petrol out of next door's Shogun (only joking!!)

I notice these things range between £5 and almost a £1000. I think the first half decent ones start at around £25.

Separate note: The clutch hydraulics on the Sport still working fine. I believe the slave cylinder may have started to seize through dirt and old fluid prior to cleaning.

Tony.

[Drift]

Ive just ordered some of these to make oil changes cleaner and with no chance of cross threading the sump plug.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17094

The oil filter should pick up any swarf.

[woodwizzard]

Didn't even know you could get such a thing. I personnaly don't use engine flush as I think some will always stay in the engine and thin the new oil you put in.

[TonyG]

[Drift]

I see what you mean was just thinking giving an other option

I wouldnt feel the oil was fully drained with a suction pump, just me being finicky

[BUMPTJ]

Hi Tony, We've sold a few of them to our garage customers and they are getting to be more popular. The one we sell goes out for about £60 plus vat, it will hold 12lts, and it comes with different size tubes for different dipsticks etc. i don't see any problems with using them, and to be honest I doubt that theres going to be any swarf in the oil anyway unless its seriously sick. I guess you just need to make sure the sump is level to make sure you get the best drain.

[TonyG]

Thanks BUMPTJ,

A little research on Forums of all makes reveals the same bias from the "I must crawl on my back and get covered in oil" fraternity. Of course if you are changing a filter it doesn't make this any easier or cleaner!

My purpose would be twofold: (a) my Citroen sump plug uses a helicoil so I want to try avoiding having to use it again. (b) The Frontera is dead easy, I don't even move the crash plate as long as it's not windy and liable to blow oil inside the crash plate, but I'd probably use a pump if I had one.

Of course however fit you are, as you get older you look for easier options in DIY car service. When you have National Trust stickers in your cars (as we do) then it's a sign you are entering God's waiting room.

A popular make is PELA: http://www.pelapumps.co.uk/default.aspx?orig=ga

Reading the blurb on the more expensive ones it says "insert the appropriate tube into the dipstick" - on the cheaper ones it just says "the tube". This indicates to me you only get one tube size on the cheaper models.

Apparently a lot of BMW garages now use pumps. Smart Car oil changes HAVE to be done this way as there is no sump plug. Our US friends call them "topside oil changes" - and are becoming popular over there.

Costs range (different manufacturers) from £14.95 + £7.95 postage (Ebay) upwards. Yep, it's a long while ago I serviced an Austin A40 Farina!

Tony.