Can you put an oil extractor in your car after an oil change? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jbach36 · #1 08-22-2007, 12:35 AM

You know those oil extractor things that prevent you from having to take off all the parts of the car to get to the oil change plug? It sucks oil out, I can't think of their proper name. Oil extractor I guess.

But AFTER you suck oil out, is it safe to put one in your car to take to a station to drain the oil, or are they too dirty with oil all over them to do that? I just recently had an oil change pan with a lid come off in the trunk of the car. Not a lot got out thank God, but it was quite a mess. I was going to get a new one, but thought maybe I should make my life simpler, and get an extractor.

Thanks,

Jeff 1991 300d, 111k

MBeige · #2 08-22-2007, 12:59 AM

Make sure the extractor isn't too tall so you can store it in the trunk without any fear of it toppling over I guess. It also helps to have a sealed lid if any, and some paper towels to clean off the old oil especially on the tube you insert in the dip stick.

When I changed my oil I used an oil pan that had covers for the drain holes. It was a good 7 quarts capacity so it was just enough for my car (w123 300D). Maybe you could extract the oil into one of those, at least so that it sits flat on the floor of the trunk and won't topple over.

H-townbenzoboy · #3 08-22-2007, 01:08 AM

Perhaps if you can do it without making a mess, you can pour the old oil into the bottles the new oil came out of.

sixto · #4 08-22-2007, 01:43 AM

Change oil in the parking lot of the station.

Sixto
87 300D

cessna5354 · #5 08-22-2007, 06:20 AM

I use a radiator (antifreeze) drain pan, heavy duty one has lasted for years. Greater capacity and better stability. I refill large laundry detergent bottles and cart off to the recycle center tank. Two detergent bottles will carry the 7 - 8 quarts needed.

WD8CDH · #6 08-22-2007, 08:07 AM

I made my oil extractor from an old BBQ propane tank with brass ball valves and fittings. Absolutly no leaks so I can pressurize it, stick it in my car and just open the valve to push out the oil at the gas station. I don't know if the commercially available ones are as well sealed.

bodyart27 · #7 08-22-2007, 09:10 AM

I use a Top Sider oil extractor (blue colored). It has limited capacity, so I can't suck all the oil out of the 300Sd without first emptying the Top Sider into additional containers, then sucking the rest of the oil out.

The Top Sider comes with screw on caps so you can transport fluid in it, however, it won't hold the 7+ quarts that you'll extract out of a 617 engine.

lee polowczuk · #8 08-22-2007, 09:18 AM

I use laundry bottles to transfer the oil. Sometimes in a pinch, i use plastic milk bottles and don't fill them up all the way. then put the bottles in a box

I had to laugh... the best idea.. change the oil at the recycling center... you could actually do it at mine... no one would care.

tobybul · #9 08-27-2007, 11:11 AM

I use 5 gallon plastic chemical containers that I obtained from a Janitorial service company. They go thru cleaning chemicals in their business and throw away the containers. They look like plastic milk jugs but bigger and beefier. The caps are secure and I transport the jugs to the waste oil takers.

Matt L · #10 08-27-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodyart27

The Top Sider comes with screw on caps so you can transport fluid in it, however, it won't hold the 7+ quarts that you'll extract out of a 617 engine.

They do make a two-gallon unit.

TheDon · #11 08-27-2007, 02:36 PM

where is the two gallon unit?

I have my oil in gallon milk jugs.. not cool.. I need to dispose of them

Chad300tdt · #12 08-28-2007, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

where is the two gallon unit?

I have my oil in gallon milk jugs.. not cool.. I need to dispose of them

Mityvac 7201 Fluid Extractor Plus - 2.3 gallon capacity. It works great and goes for $65.00. I got mine from Amazon.com.

bustedbenz · #13 08-28-2007, 10:31 AM

Pour the used oil back into the bottles the new oil came out of, keep it in the basement,and use it dribble by dribble to light the woodstove. Works for us

2.5Turbo · #14 08-28-2007, 06:35 PM

Give your used oil to your local steam tourist railroad. Most these days have steam locos that use heavy oil as fuel. Since they're just burning it in a firebox, the engines don't really care what kind of oil it is as long as it burns. When I have the opportunity, I give mine to the Mt. Rainier Scenic railroad in Elbe, WA. You're getting rid of the oil, and they're getting some fuel...it's a win-win.

Another steam powered tourist railroad I know of dumps the oil into the tender and then throws the plastic jugs it comes in in the firebox

...I make an effort not to breathe the smoke when they're doing that

Back home, we have a couple cats and we get the cat litter in these big plastic jugs from Costco. They won't fit under the car, but the opening is wide and they will hold 8 quarts with lots of room to spare.

DZL_Damon · #15 08-28-2007, 10:59 PM

We got a 5gal unit for changing the boats oil. Only downside of doing this is that sludge can accumulate more from an engine that gets sucked out rather than warmed up well and drained.