<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LarryBible:
Would someone help me understand something.

Petella said that there is a claim that these gizmos actually get out more oil than pulling the plug and letting it drain. &lt;snip&gt;<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Here's my understanding...
On most Mercedes the oil drain plug is not located in the bottom center of the oil pan. It is located on the side of the pan near the bottom. Unless you have the car tilted just right there is still some oil left in the bottom of the pan. The Topsider uses the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube keeps the Topsider tubing located near the bottom center of the oil pan.



------------------
Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

Bill:

You are correct in that the oil drain plug is on the side, not in the center.

But it is also true that the bottom of the oil pan is sloped towards that drain plug (just inspect it and you will see), and thus when one opens that plug with the oil hot, ALL of it comes out. It also helps to wait about 10-20 minutes after shutting off the engine, to allow drainage of oil from above to the bottom of the pan......Andras

Here is another alternative to the topsider:
In the newest Griot's Garage catalog (#92)
found on griotsgarage.com, on page 60 is their oil/liquid extractor. It has a pump handle to create vacuum inside a chamber to suck the oil out and is visible as it fills.
It is two feet tall and 6.5" diam and can be used for other uses...drain your aquarium,
suck out rear end oil or transmission fluid. Cost is $64.95,is part #10122 and capacity is 6.5liters.
Just another idea!!
TobiasMB
300SE, 300CE, 190/5.0

One problem...
6.5 Liters = 6.87 Quarts
Most MB's hold 8.5 Quarts.

------------------
Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

This is what we use everyday the best tool for oil service.(for shop use)
you can find it at www.northerntools.com
6 Gallon Oil Extractor has Powerful Suction Capacity
Clean, easy, safer way to remove 70° to 176°F oils and fluids through dipstick tube or other convenient openings. Great for car, tractor, boat and small aircraft engines. Also for industrial gear boxes, coolant and hydraulic systems. Temporarily uses your compressor to extract about 2 quarts per minute. 6 gallon reservoir has 4 gallon rated suction capacity with a single charge. Rolls to job site. Easy to empty. You get oil level gauge and handy probe holder. Six metal and flexible probes included. Not for use with fuel, flammable or corrosive materials.
Ship Wt. 50 lbs. Item# 109521
Discount Price... $399.99
if you are shop owner buy one for the shop.







------------------
MB STARS Master Guild Technician,12 years MB tech
6 years independent shop owner