Need guidance-Just joined the Mityvac Club
 

After much research here I decided to attempt my first topsider oil change. I have a few questions before I start that I wasn't able to find in past posts.

1.Does it matter which diameter evacuation tube I use as long as it fits in the dipstick tube?
2.Should the Valve Cover cap and oil filter be removed before I begin?
3.How do I know when the evacuation tube has reached all the way to the bottom of the oil pan(other than it stopping as I feed it in)?
4.What is the tool needed to remove the lid of the cannister that the oil filter is housed in?
5.The oil filter came with two gaskets. Are both used?
6.Once the oil is extracted, how much oil should I initially add? The owner's manual states it is a capacity of 7.4 quarts. How much should remain in the engine if I have completed a thorough oil extraction?
7.Is there a recommended oil when running B100?
8.If I was unable to find a completely flat work area, is slightly nose-up or nose-down preferable(by a matter of only about 2 inches)?

Thanks,
Chris

Chris,
Which oil extractor do you have? You mentioned the topsider which I believe has a can reservoir. If it is the Evacuator Plus it has a translucent reservoir that has calibrations on the side in liters.....from that you would be able to judge how much oil has been removed.

Pump or drain oil HOT.

I open the cap on the filter housing before I drain or pump. You can buy a large socket or adjustable wrench to fit the filter cap just about anywhere including Ace Hardware.

Use the largest tube that will confortably fit down dip tube. When it hits bottom it stops......it will not go any farther. There will always be a little residual old oil in the engine and cooler even if you do a bottom drain.....it is deluted by the new oil and is not a factor.

Pour in six quarts and then start monitoring level with dip stick as you add a 1/2 qt. at a time...... until it is somewhere between the high and low marks on the dip stick;)
How level is level is anyones guess?? The amount and depth of the oil in the sump is adequate to handle it without putting a level on the roof. By design car engines have a high enough margin/volume of oil to allow them to go up and down hills without becoming oil starved........Just check your oil level frequently/daily.

F18,

Thanks for the info. I did get the 7201 Evacuator Plus. Duh. I completely missed the measurements on the side of the reservoir. Rookie move...

Lazy bastards. :D Get under there and drain that hot oil like real men.

I can`t help you much on the top sider since I drain my oil in a pan. But loosen the bolts on the oil filter lid (13MM) I use a ratchet, extention and a socket to loosen them.
Or loosen or remove the valve cover cap.

The two metal washers, one copper is for the drain plug but won`t use since you are doing it on top. the steel one? must be for some other model. I just save them for what ever, I don`t know, but got a bunch of them.

The large rubber "O" ring goes under the filter lid, be sure to remove the old one. and at the end of the pipe attached to the lid are two little "O" rings. If they are like little pieces of hard plastic, should be replaced. get them from Phill.

If you are concerned about the car being level, run the front or back tires up on some 2x6 or? to level it.

I use gallon jugs, and dump the first one in and 3/4 of the other. start the engine let it run some, shut off and check in the morning and top it off.

I use a quart bottle for a funnel that I cut off.
and have a gallon antifreeze bottle that I cut the side out of when I remove the oil filter. I lift the filter, and quickly slide the bottle under it and place the filter in. this way I cut down on my messes.

Charlie

Right on :D

Charlie

Charile and Fred,

Thanks for all your help. I may try draining next time, I just don't feel like dealing with removal of the undercarriage shield. Plus, wearing hot, dirty engine oil(which would happen with me) doesn't sound too appealing...

My oil filter is driving me nuts!!!!!
 

Well, i'm half way through the process only to discover that the oil filter will not come dislodged from the cannister cap. I unscrewed the cap, easy enough with the right tools but the filter came out with the cap. Does it snap or screw out? It has the same model # as the one I ordered from Phil so I don't think the last change was done with a wrong filter. Should it just slide right off the spine that's in the cap? There is some play where the filter moves back and forth on the spine but won't pop off. Help! Please!

on the om617 the oil filter stays in the housing and then you remove it, not sure with the 606

When I remove the filter from the engine compartment I use a plastic bag and wear the bag as a glove then turn it inside out with the oil filter inside. No mess at all

I'm Sold on the MityVac!
 

Just successfully completed my first topsider oil change and I can truly say I'm sold! Lazy, maybe, but virtually no mess (even with a first timer) and very simple--other than wrestling with a stubborn stuck old oil filter.I was very surprised and somewhat concerned that I removed 8.2 quarts of oil. The owner's manual states that it is a 7.4 q capacity. Is it because the oil comes out a bit frothed or did my last oil change at my Indy overfill it? I will say that it took about 7.75q to get it to barely reach the max oil line warm. I kept checking it after about 5 minutes rest each time on completely level ground and then topping off. By the way, I've already logged almost 100 miles and the oil is still bright amber!

Cool ... you'll find it helpful for other jobs as well. I used mine to suck out the PS fluid when I did a flush and filter change. I also used it to suck the brake fluid out of my brake booster when I replaced my leaky master cylinder.:cool:

when I did my reply last night I was thinking you had a 617.952. but rereading your first post Iam thinking you are doing this on a 97 E300D. so Iam not familiar with your undercarriage shield.
none of rhe vehicle I have owned have had to wear a diaper :rolleyes:.

but changing oil is all the same whether car, truck or heavy equipment. I`ve done it all. some just take more than others.

Charlie