Oil Extractor
 

I was thinking about purchasing an oil extractor so I could do oil changes through dipstick instead of jacking the car up. Anyone use these? Should I be worried about oil remaining in pan if I do this? I change oil myself in all our vehicles but was just wondering if this was worth the expense although I'm pretty sure I will still have to raise car to access oil filter.

My prayers to all in Japan and will gladly withstand a delay in my car's arrival if it would just get better than what it seems like it is on the news.

you're not going to change the filter?

Definitely will. Just wanted to see if anyone used extractor regularly for changing oil and if it was worth it. Don't mind doing it through drain plug but the less time my old *** is under the car the better.

I use one, works like a dream.

i would use an extractor if im tracking my car often and want to just do an oil change without changing the filter... but for me, i only change the oil once a year on my Z (i drive only 5K miles or less) so i just change the filter at the same time.

i do have an extractor though.... its mainly for my brakes. :D

I don't see the point of using an extractor when you've got to get underneath the car to change the filter anyways.

It reduces the mess as there is very little in the way of oil pouring out (maybe a few drops). The extractor also provides a clean means of the pouring the oil back in containers for proper disposal. I still use an oil catch pan, but mainly for the oil filter.

I guess. But I just figure if I'm going to be down there for the filter I might as well drain the oil there as well.

Now on the Mercedes where the oil filter is up top, an extractor would make more sense (to me).

Good point and what I was thinking, but was also thinking it might be less messy and save a little "under-the-car time." As in: extract oil, raise car, change filter, lower car, then add oil. In my head it sounds easier, but that's why I was asking.

Thanks for replies everyone.

i dont usually make a mess but i can see that happening if a gust of wind or something came while dripping.

not sure if useful for anyone, but when im pouring my old oil into a jug to recycle, i use two bricks on opposing sides of the jug to keep it from falling over.

in my oil change arsenal, i only use one triangular shaped catch pan (main) and a regular round catchpan (for filter) and a socket when i do my change. i rarely have any drips on the floor...

Just read that. Thanks!

The biggest issue with extractors is that many engines will not work with them as the dipstick run is hampered by lower-end baffling or a crazy bend of some sorts. There are a lot of American cars where it will not work (crazy Americans).

On one of the oil threads (I believe AK's) I did a comparison of what the extractor removed versus just the drain plug, and I think I was able to get eight (8) more ounces out. This is also one of the benefits of extractors, but not on all engines. You can typically get the tube to a lower point in the oil pan than the lowest point of the drain plug.

I use an extractor every other oil change. This is because I change the oil at 3,750 mile intervals or so and the oil AND filter every 7500.

The capacity is just over 5 quarts with filter and I get about 4.8 - 4.9 quarts out with the extractor. If you factor in the oil in the filter, I am only missing a small amount of oil from the pan. The key is to make sure you've inserted the tube down the dipstick to the appropriate depth. You have to play around and feel for when it starts to bend upwards. Near the end of the extraction - move the tube up and down a bit to see if it starts to drain out a little more. Do this from different depths until you are sure that the tube has reached everywhere that it could.

I have one of the cheap $45 ones that i found on ebay - it is powered by connecting to the car battery.

^ makes sense. I can understand that.