Oil drain spigot
 

Hello!

Last time I changed my oil, I noticed that the head on the oil drain plug wasn't in the best shape. So, I've decided that I want to replace the plug next time I change the oil.

I've seen advertisements for some things that will replace the plug and, instead of having oil come out all over you, would let you screw something else on, attached to a hose, that would open up a valve in the part that replaced the drain plug, that would allow oil to flow out. AN example of this is the SureDrain kit that Fram makes. I have no faith in Fram whatsoever (their filters are junk IMHO, so I would take this thing with a grain of salt), and they don't make one that'll fit a Benz drain anyways, so does anyone by chance know of a kit like this that will allow you to do this? If I go this route, it'd be nice to put one on the truck as well, so both would be the same.

Thoughts? If nothing exists that will do this, I'd like to find a drain plug that has a magnetic tip.

Thanks in advance!

Warden

Iam not sure I would want something extra hanging down to get broken off.:eek: Opening that plug is real easy with a gear wrench but I like the magnatic idea.

I've had one on my 240D for over ten years and like it. Makes draining the oil an easy operation. Don't even have to jack the car up.

Len

Solokoff,

But how do you change the oil filter with out jacking the car up? On my '74 240D, I couldn't get the oil filter can out because there wasn't enough room between the engine and frame. The oil ran out all over the place. I hated changing that filter. I like the new top mounted filter on my 300SD and SDL.

P E H

Warden,

I hate to change to the oil because of the drain plug problem, I always get full of oil trying to hang onto the drain plug to keep it from dropping into the catch pan. And the oil and plug are hot.

Someone here suggested to get a second drain plug and let the first plug drop in the oil catch pan and then install the second plug. The first plug can be fished out of the used oil later.

Next time I order something from Fastlane, I'm going to order a few extra drain plugs.

P E H

http://www.cgenterprises.com/index.htm

Some interesting stuff here.

PEH, that's slick ! what a perfect way to change oil and stay clean. I'm buying second plugs for all my cars for oil change weekend! Another option for changing oil is the Topsider suck it out the drain tube thing. I've seen it used by boaters with great success and had heard it actually gets out more oil than a gravity drain. Clean and quick I'd guess and just about perfect for a 300d etc with the oil filter up top.

what I do is when the plug is about to let loose I shift my hand so its above the plug and use 2 fingers to unscrew it the rest of the way. I wear a fresh latex glove sometimes for a little extra grip. Most of the time I can do it with out getting oil on my hand. The most I've got was my index finger covered. Or better yet, they sell oil pans at Autozone that are plastic and only have a little hole on the top center that the oil gets funneled to, if the plug falls, it hits the top of the plastic and then you just grap it and roll out.



If you sit there under the oil pan then yes, you're screwed. You have to be laying under the radiator to do it right.

EDIt: found a link to the type of oil pan, I'd imagine evey one uses one, but those that don't here you go:
http://www.************************/ProductPage.aspx?productname=Giant+Oil+Drain+Pan&productid=102939&producttype=10

I am really surprised that Frugal PEH is thinking of buying a spare plug which will just sit around all the time the other one is being used...

Any of you guys thought about holding an old kitchen strainer in the left hand while unscrewing the plug with the right ? The strainer catches the plug but allows the oil to go right on through.... :D

Oil filter is changed from above on the 123 bodies.

Len

My mom would be erked if I "borrowed" one of her strainers.

Capt, After you have more years under your belt you may be fortunate enough to inherit one which has started to rust, got stepped on, etc.. Don't try using me as an excuse if you use a good one from Mom's kitchen drawer.... I will deny everthing...

I never have to jack up or put my car on ramps when I change the oil. It's a tight fit, but I have found that I am able to get more oil to drain out if I do it this way.

oil drain spigot
 

Six months ago there was a drain plug replacement gizmo recommended on this site.You don't remove it to drain the oil. And,no,it doesn't protrude into the pan so far as to prevent all oil from draining. I sent for one ,somewhere on the west coast,and it works great .Look it up in a Search under oil change.