Oil Change Pump

[MAC]

I'm looking to buy an oil change pump. Does anyone have any recommendations or any advice about which pumps to say away from?

So far I like LiquiVac Oil Changing System as it has an 8-quart container which is big enough to completely drain the Northstar.

http://www.right-tool.com/lioilchpukit.html

[Scotty]

Why do want to do this instead of opening the drain in the pan?

[MAC]

Scotty,

It's a pain to drain through the plug. If I can do the job more efficiently and without the mess with a pump, then I'm willing to give it a try. Have you ever been draining through the plug and a stiff breeze happens to come along and blows oil all over--or have to wipe oil off the container? If I can avoid jacking the car up and getting on my back with a pump then I think the 40 bucks is worth it.

[JasonA]

The pump itself looks fine. Their website says no more crawling around under the car. Apparently, they're forgetting about half the oil change -- the filter. You'll have your drain pan under there anyway for the filter...why not just let the oil drain as well and save your 40 bucks?

[MAC]

I thought about the complete drain issue and figured it shouldn’t be a problem even if a small amount of oil is left behind. No drain is complete but even if the pump is not as efficient as the draining through the plug it shouldn’t be a problem. I think draining through the plug once a year, if at all, should be good enough. As long as the oil is changed at regular intervals at least according to the Oil Life Indicator there shouldn’t be a problem. If I remember correctly, Bbob said that new oil formulas will keep the pan clean of sludge if oil is changed as recommended.

[JimD]

I used a pump for oil changes in a marine application for about 5 years with no known problems. It was a drill motor operated pump, however that just made it faster.

There just wasn't any other way to do it.

[Dadillac]

A cheaper, better way, is get a Fram Sure Drain adapter. It utilizes a drain hose, so you can direct it into the drain pan. This is exactly why I bought one. I hated the clean up from the windy conditions. Cost was less than $10.00. Part number is SD-4.

Don

[canadian95sts]

My boat mechanic uses an special pump to do oil changes simply due to the fact that you can not get to the drain plug on the ol 350 mercruiser. I have seen them pretty cheap at marine supply stores, though i never thought of using one on my car. Who knows, maybe its easier. On the other hand, you gotta get down n dirty anyway to change the filter, Hmmmmmmmm

Matt

[Scotty]

Scotty,

It's a pain to drain through the plug. If I can do the job more efficiently and without the mess with a pump, then I'm willing to give it a try. Have you ever been draining through the plug and a stiff breeze happens to come along and blows oil all over--or have to wipe oil off the container? If I can avoid jacking the car up and getting on my back with a pump then I think the 40 bucks is worth it.

I see, and yes I have heard about marine engines being changed that way. I would try to open the drain bolt once in a while however, I think the gravity affect of the oil coming out will pull any heavier 'sludge' out of the bottom better. I see your point now however.

[Hud]

You will have about 1/2 to 3/4 qts. left in the system if you do not change the filter. That dirty oil goes back into your clean motor and contaminates the rest of your clean oil. I would rather spend the extra $6 + or - and extend the engine life. I think the commercial goes something like this "Pay me now or pay me later". When I worked at a garage (many years ago) people would bring their cars in for an oil change, but would change their filter every other change or once a year or some other timeframe. As I remember, the longer the filter was on the car, the harder it was to get it off. On some, we had to use a chisel to get them off, and it was not due to being overtightened during installation.