Do you recommend using oil extractor/syphon rather than draining from sump plug?

AdrianC

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

No one said at any point to my knowledge that one 'needs' to extract oil with a vacuum extractor (or syphon, if you prefer); simply that for some, me and many garages included, it's easier, less messy and quicker.

Aye, I think we can all agree on that.

JustinR1979

As I'm getting older, ripping off undertrays and getting crap in my eyes appeals less and less.
Never been too keen on sucking the oil out, probably a fact of not seeing the oil stop dripping and knowing it's all out.


As for gearboxes, everyone I've changed the oil in has had a drain plug at the bottom.
It's enough of a pain filling it from halfway up, nevermind getting it out from there too.
Maybe that sealed for life bollocks makes people think they have no drain plug.

onomatopoeia99

AdrianC wrote: »

Every gearbox I've ever changed the oil in has had a drain plug at the bottom. They've had a LEVEL plug half-way up, which is the point you fill to...

At least some of the BL gearboxes from the 1970s only had a level plug and no drain plug. Same with rear axles.

The oil they were filled with in the factory was supposed to be "for life". Given the way the cars they were fitted to rusted, that's perhaps not such a long time!

JustinR1979

Bringing British cars into it is cheating, they probably forgot!

Richard53

I can't for the life of me remember what they were, but I know I have had cars where there was no drain plug in the bottom of the gearbox, just a fill/level hole in the side. I think the idea was that the oil would be changed when the gearbox needed an overhaul, and just level checks and top ups before then.


I wasn't thrilled with the idea at the time. British cars, almost certainly.

JethroUK

AdrianC wrote: »

Every gearbox I've ever changed the oil in has had a drain plug at the bottom. They've had a LEVEL plug half-way up, which is the point you fill to...

Well when I sent my Rover 75 (2005) for full service the mechanic said he can only change 50% of the auto gearbox oil because that's all you can drain and recommended doing it again in few months

And thats consistent with every car i be ever had in 40 years

So you and I must have only had cars that are polar opposites

marlot

JethroUK wrote: »

Maybe im missing something in the 40 years since I swapped out motors but you do not need to SYPHON engine oil - ever!

The drain plug is always at the lowest point of the sump (no accident)...

You've never serviced a Smart Roadster then. No oil drain plug on many (all?). My father HAS to suck the oil out.

http://www.smart-stuff.co.uk/engine-sump-oil-pan---fortwo--roadster-4544-p.asp

Very pretty little car, and a hoot to drive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Roadster

AdrianC

JethroUK wrote: »

Well when I sent my Rover 75 (2005) for full service the mechanic said he can only change 50% of the auto gearbox oil because that's all you can drain and recommended doing it again in few months

And thats consistent with every car i be ever had in 40 years

So you and I must have only had cars that are polar opposites

The ZF autobox in my old XM most certainly had a drain plug in the bottom - but only a small proportion of the oil could be drained from it. The general recommendation was to do that and change it more regularly, preferably with every engine oil change - failure at about 140k miles was common. The problem with autoboxes is that a large proportion "hides" in the torque converter, in the lines to the cooler. Sucking from the dipstick won't get that, either.

JethroUK

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

No one said at any point to my knowledge that one 'needs' to extract oil with a vacuum extractor (or syphon, if you prefer);

Not needing to do something is a blindingly obvious thing to point out and any who does not think so is an idiot

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

simply that for some, me and many garages included, it's easier, less messy and quicker.

Garages have a syphon to syphon gearbox oil ONLY
Never heard of anyone SYPHONing a sump

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

If it's any less effective in terms of removing oil volume

It IS

Gravity is a wonderful thing and it's absolutely FREE

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Physics has nothing to do with it, as 'need' hasn't come into it

.

Physics is the ONLY thing to describe "efficiency" by definition
Soz but that's a fact

BeenThroughItAll

JethroUK wrote: »

Not needing to do something is a blindingly obvious thing to point out and any who does not think so is an idiot



Garages have a syphon to syphon gearbox oil ONLY
Never heard of anyone SYPHONing a sump


It IS

Gravity is a wonderful thing and it's absolutely FREE



Physics is the ONLY thing to describe "efficiency" by definition
Soz but that's a fact

Sorry, I lost all respect for your opinion at the word 'idiot'.


No need for that just because you don't agree.