topsider oil change question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

funola · #1 05-01-2011, 04:46 PM

Getting ready to try out a top sider vac sucker oil changer I made.. What's the best orientation of the car to get the most oil out via the dip stick tube? Level? nose up? nose down? jack up left side? jack up right side?

Jeremy5848 · #2 05-01-2011, 04:51 PM

Level has always worked for me (617, 603, 606 engines).

frankengrant · #3 05-01-2011, 05:25 PM

Level works for me, I can get all of the oil out pretty much, I use the westmarine oil extractor though, its made of plastic but it feels like it is much higher quality than the topsider. The hoses are much more sturdy, and it is easier to use.

Bob Albrecht · #4 05-01-2011, 05:29 PM

I always suck the oil out when the car is level in my garage. The floor may very slightly tilt out the door with the car facing in.

I'm pretty sure more oil gets taken out by sucking it than by draining it.

bobodaclown · #5 05-01-2011, 06:34 PM

Ok. I'm splitting hairs here. The dip stick doesn't got all the way to the bottom of the oil pan so there is some oil remaining, and the drain plug doesn't sit at the bottom of the oil pan, it's on the side almost level with the bottom but not quite. Still think a little more would come out the drain plug. Depending on how long you leave the drain plug off.
I'm old school when it comes to oil drains. I like to check the magnetic oil drain plug I use. Also I check out things when I'm under the vehicle.
There is no right or wrong here. It's a matter of choice. I'm glad people are changing their oil.

shertex · #6 05-01-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobodaclown

Ok. I'm splitting hairs here. The dip stick doesn't got all the way to the bottom of the oil pan so there is some oil remaining, and the drain plug doesn't sit at the bottom of the oil pan, it's on the side almost level with the bottom but not quite. Still think a little more would come out the drain plug. Depending on how long you leave the drain plug off.
I'm old school when it comes to oil drains. I like to check the magnetic oil drain plug I use. Also I check out things when I'm under the vehicle.
There is no right or wrong here. It's a matter of choice. I'm glad people are changing their oil.

Yes, but the tube of the extractor DOES hit the bottom of the pan.

vstech · #7 05-01-2011, 07:00 PM

yeah. the extractors fit inside the tube. extended all the way to the bottom.

funola · #8 05-01-2011, 07:48 PM

All I have to say is wow! It worked awesome!. When I was done, I removed the drain plug and not one drop came out! yes not one drop! The vacuum action actually gets more oil out than gravity drain! I designed the sucker hose to go over the top of the dipstick tube (an insert in the tube as Vstech described is not required) because I've read somewhere that is what Mercedes recommends. It really works!

I designed it to be cheap and easy to make and easy to use. I had all the parts laying around so it didn't cost anything. The most expensive part is the vac pump but you can always scrounge a compressor from an AC.

I'll never change oil on the 300D by gravity again!

I took lot's of pics and vids in case anyone want to make one for themselves. Will post them later

Jeremy5848 · #9 05-01-2011, 08:00 PM

I did the same test on my '85 300D-T the first time I used an oil sucker and got the same results -- not one drop.

OTOH, you do miss things by not being under the car regularly. I had the belly pans off of my '87 for the first time in quite awhile as part of the head upgrade I just completed and was surprised to see both transmission oil cooler flex hoses leaking and getting ready to fail. Fluid was oozing right through the rubber material. So even with an oil sucker, you still need to "get out and get under" for an occasional inspection.

Jeremy

funola · #10 05-01-2011, 08:23 PM

I made this sucker in less than an hour. 30 lb helium balloon tank from the dump. You can find Freon tanks the same size or bigger. The next bigger size is better since this one may be cutting it close for 8 quarts.. Cut the T- valve off flush to the tank, the hole is good for a loose fitting 1/8 NPT thread. a short piece of 3/8 copper tubing was bent 90 degree . A 1/8 NPT thread was put on one end of the bent copper tube and threaded and epoxied into the tank.

On the upper left in the pic is a schrader valve. Dill a 11/32 hole and run a 1/8 NPT tap in it and epoxy a 1/8 NPT schrader valve in there. This sucker is designed to lay flat with the schrader valve at the highest point. I put an angle bracket under the tank so it doesn't roll.

funola · #11 05-01-2011, 08:24 PM

The yellow hose pinch pliers is my valve! It's laying on a 10" long 3/8 i.d. 1/8 wall pvc hose that can withstand 28" HG of vacuum w/o collapsing. a 3/8 to 3/4 adapter splice it to a 3" long section of 3/4" i.d. 1/8 wall pvc hose that stretches over the dipstiick tube. A Mity-vac bottle goes between the Schrader valve and the vac pump to keep black diesel oil spray out of the vac pump.

funola · #12 05-01-2011, 08:24 PM

This is a 12v vac pump plugged into the cig lighter. You can use an old AC compressor as a vac pump that can be had for free.

funola · #13 05-01-2011, 08:25 PM

Not very exciting video of the sucker sucking up the black oil. I connect the hose to the dipstick tube, open the oil filler cap and turn on the vac pump and oil start to come up in a few seconds with gentle suction. I keep the vac pump on continuously while I change the oil filter and from time to time pinch off the hose and let vacuum build then unpinch the hose to get violent suction to get more oil as it drains into the pan.

CLICK TO PLAY

funola · #14 05-01-2011, 08:25 PM

The 3/4 hose on the dipstick tube was a bit on the loose side with just a friction fit. It still sucked, didn't leak but it was hissing. A rubber band made from a bicycle inner tube took care of it.

funola · #15 05-01-2011, 08:25 PM

When done just turn it upside down and open the schrader valve with a valvle core tool and gravity drain it into a container.