Drain Engine Oil with a Suction Pump?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Carson City NV
Drain Engine Oil with a Suction Pump?
Can the C5's batwing oil pan be properly drained from the top by using a vacuum or electric suction pump with its oil suction tube inserted in the C5's oil dipstick tubing?
If so, this approach would eliminate a lot of extra work in jacking both the front and rear of the car up during an oil change and might ensure removing more of the old engine oil. Has anyone tried the suction pump method?
If so, this approach would eliminate a lot of extra work in jacking both the front and rear of the car up during an oil change and might ensure removing more of the old engine oil. Has anyone tried the suction pump method?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
just lift the rear up a little more
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I doubt that you'll get as much of the old oil out of the oil pan/motor with the suction method as you would with the preferred drain method. You won't get to look at the other informational debris you might find in the oil when you drain it. You've got to get the old oil filter off anyway, so while you're under there...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Carson City NV
Suction Pump Experience?
Thanks, but I already have good access to the bottom of the C5's motor from an access pit in my car port, so I can easily remove the drain plug and the oil filter while the car is flat on the two sides of the concrete access pit. When I built the house with this feature years ago, I just didn't anticipate eventually purchasing a car that can't be level when you are draining the oil out...
So I am still interested in whether or not anyone has actually tried an oil suction pump to drain the C5's oil pan. Griot's Garage has a large vacuum canister that pulls the oil out through the dipstick tube and I have seen electric pumps that are sold for the same purpose. Thanks for any first hand experience in this area.
So I am still interested in whether or not anyone has actually tried an oil suction pump to drain the C5's oil pan. Griot's Garage has a large vacuum canister that pulls the oil out through the dipstick tube and I have seen electric pumps that are sold for the same purpose. Thanks for any first hand experience in this area.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I don't think you will get good access for removing the oil due to the placement of the dipstick in the block. I used this method on my Sportfisherman that I used to have, but the dipstick had a straight shot right into the lower portion of the oil pan so when you sucked it out you got out most of the oil.
If you are worried about tipping the car, the dealer doesn't do it that way either. When its on the lift, it is for the most part level so draining from underneath should work fine based on the access you have to the bottom of the car.
If you are worried about tipping the car, the dealer doesn't do it that way either. When its on the lift, it is for the most part level so draining from underneath should work fine based on the access you have to the bottom of the car.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Holland PA
I recently bought a hand powered 6 qt capacity vacuum pump from Pep Boys. (About $70.)
The dip stick hose will not insert far enough into the engine of my 99 FRC to get below the oil surface. There is a guide at the base of the dipstick tube that accepts and aligns the twist in the dipstick. (You can feel this as you insert the dip stick.) This guide prevents the nylon dip stick hose from inserting below the oil level.
So I still raise and drain the Vette the standard way. (Yes, with a couple degrees forward slant to facilitate complete draining.)
The pump DOES work though on my GTI, Touareg, and son's Lancer Ralliart.
Insert the hose, pump three or four times and go do something else.
In about 15 minutes it's done. It is important to drain the last quarter quart at the plug, but at least it's not an oil shower.
It also makes short, clean work of changing oil on the lawn mower and snow blower.
The dip stick hose will not insert far enough into the engine of my 99 FRC to get below the oil surface. There is a guide at the base of the dipstick tube that accepts and aligns the twist in the dipstick. (You can feel this as you insert the dip stick.) This guide prevents the nylon dip stick hose from inserting below the oil level.
So I still raise and drain the Vette the standard way. (Yes, with a couple degrees forward slant to facilitate complete draining.)
The pump DOES work though on my GTI, Touareg, and son's Lancer Ralliart.
Insert the hose, pump three or four times and go do something else.
In about 15 minutes it's done. It is important to drain the last quarter quart at the plug, but at least it's not an oil shower.
It also makes short, clean work of changing oil on the lawn mower and snow blower.
Last edited by 737 Jock; Nov 28, 2006 at 05:37 AM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Carson City NV
Thanks for the inputs/suggestions
737 Jock,
Thanks for your response. It looks like the C5 motor is not a candidate for power draining from the top through the dipstick tube. Oh well.
Howie,
Thanks for your simple suggestion to raise the rear up a bit. Why didn't I think of that?
Steve
Thanks for your response. It looks like the C5 motor is not a candidate for power draining from the top through the dipstick tube. Oh well.
Howie,
Thanks for your simple suggestion to raise the rear up a bit. Why didn't I think of that?
Steve
