I live in Denver, and so far, I have been unsuccessful trying to locate an oil suction device at parts stores. Is Topsider(referenced in several messages) a brand name? Are there other brand names you know of? I looked on the PartsShop, but that appears to be MB parts. Do you guys have it? Know where I can order one?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Here's 2 alternatives:

1) Go to a boating store or marina. Top side oil changes have been routine in the boating area for years. (You can't very well put a boat on a lift to change the oil and many boats use automotive engines)

2) Contact George Murphy

Performance Analysis Co.
1345 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Suite 258
Oak Ridge, TN 37830 USA MC/Visa

423-482-9175 9am to 5pm ET Mon - Fri
Fax 423-482-9175 anytime
george_murphy@compuserve.com

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

My local West Marine store had exactly the same topsider that George Murphy was advertising at a lower cost and sans shipping from TN. This is a very standard device available at marine supply outlets. The brand I found at West Marine and the one George was selling was the "Big Boy".

Incidentally, you might save yourself some trouble by knowing how much oil you draw out at each oil change (8 quarts?) and ensuring that the topsider you buy has the same or greater capacity.

I found on the Internet dipstick oil changers right here http://www.hernmarine.com/
The price is less than $30

I use the PELA oil extractor,$100Canadian cos
i:cant find Topsider locally
ii:The Pela Oil Extractor has a strong see through plastic graduated (1 litrex6)cylinder.It has worked very well for me.I only replace what I can see has been extracted,useful for partial AT fluid change via ATF dipstick.Do it 6 to 7 x(once every 3-6 months,same time as oil change) and you have almost new ATF without all the hassle

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Tom 1992 300E 2.6

Question:

If your draining the oil from the top? does that still get all the sludge build up at the bottom of the oil pan?

According to George Murphy and others,sucking oil from the top remove more oil than by draining.MB dealers just suck the oil up when they do your oil change.With the new Quaker State almost clear oil,you can see on the dipstick how clean it is,after you refill post-suction.
Tom

Just got mine from the following -
http://www.boatus-store.com/MC_Online/Browse.asp?ShowItem=16467

They had excellent price -
33.99 + UPS ground 5.91.

Make sure you tell them you're not a boatowner and want to buy the unit for a car.
Order by phone.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VA300SD:
Just got mine from the following -
http://www.boatus-store.com/MC_Online/Browse.asp?ShowItem=16467

They had excellent price -
33.99 + UPS ground 5.91.

Make sure you tell them you're not a boatowner and want to buy the unit for a car.
Order by phone.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Is there a difference between the boat model and car model? I just called the 800 # and they told me i have to special order it. Thanks, jaman

I'm not aware of any difference. The one you see used in our DIY Oil Change articles is mine. I bought it at a boating supply store here in Atlanta. They had a whole stack of them and they were ALL intended for boats.

On the box mine came in it says "Big Boy Topsider MVP". "For your Boat. For your vehicles. Around the home" It is rated at a 2 gallon capacity but, it holds the 8 1/2 quarts from my E430 just fine as long as the Topsider is on level ground.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

You also want to make sure that the oil is up to operating temp before attempting to suck it out. We have a nice Tecalemit air powered suction machine at the shop, but it takes forever if the oil isn't nice and hot. I saw the Topsiders in Boat US for about $40.

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'72 Alfa Romeo 2000GTV
'73 Triumph TR6
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12

FYI. I put a post on the General Feedback forum suggesting that Mercedesshop sell tools. They responded that they already do, and will probably be adding a page much like their redline page. Those interested might want to visit that forum, which probably doesn't get as much traffic, and give your comments. For me, it would be good to have an on-line source that I can trust to provide quality tools.

Selling topsiders that Mercedesshop knows work might be a good thing!

One last comment for Aaron, I love it when someones car listing is longer that their post! A true car enthusiast!

Here's to smooth highways and no flats!

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Deezel
87 300TDT
150,000 miles

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. Is the gizmo getting oil from somewhere other than the bottom of the pan? If it is getting the oil from the bottom of the pan, the oil drains there just the same as if you pull the plug. Where else can you remove oil from an engine that allows you to get more oil.

Also, I too love seeing Aarons car list, after I win the lottery, .............

Signed,
Confused

Larry:

The TopSider pulls out oil via suction. Suction is broken when an air gap is introduced, as when you are nearing the bottom of the pool of oil. Remember when you are drinking your cola with a straw and you get to the bottom? Now try draining a cake pan with a straw, and don't move the straw. Can you get all the cola out? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!

Therefore, you can NEVER get out all of the oil using one of these devices, because you can never reach all the oil in the 12"x18" oil pan (which is like a cake pan's bottom).

Therefore, by draining the oil out, WHEN IT IS HOT OR VERY WARM, is the only way that you can be sure of getting all the old oil out.

That said, the small amount of oil left by the TopSider (and the residual dirt in that little bit of oil) is then diluted by the 6 quarts of new oil that you will fill, and therefore, it is not very important.

The benefits of a TopSider is that you do not have to crawl on your back, loosen the oil drain plug, get oil all over your hand, risk spilling some on your floor, and then having to put the drain plug back in again before you replenish the oil. Is it worth it? Only you can answer that question. Remember that it does take time to keep pumping all that oil into the TopSider. And remember that your oil will drain by gravity, while you do soething else. And remember that the TopSider was developed for marine applications, where it is "impossible" to lift the boat and drain out the oil. And remember that these kinds of "fixes" are for people who don't have lifts or patience to do it the "right" way.

Other than that, you pays your money and you takes your chances.......Andras

I made a topsider using a shop vac, 5 gal. joint compound bucket and piece of clear plastic hose slightly smaller than dipstick tube. Cut hole in top of bucket slightly smaller than vac hose; across top from vac hose hole, cut hole slightly smaller than oil hose. Stick both hoses in their respective holes; stick oil hose down dipstick tube, and turn on the vac; oil comes up the small hose and drops into the bucket - slower than I would like, but overall satisfactory.

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Wilton Strickland
Goldsboro, NC
91 350 SDL. 81 300D