A few months ago, I bought one of the Jabsco electric oil changers.

It is a very nice unit and works properly, but I am having a problem in getting it to do the job.

When I put the plastic tube in place of the dip stick, it bottoms out way too soon. I marked the tube and it will only go 4-5 inches before hitting something inside the engine. It will not go any farther. Whatever it is hitting sounds tinny but I am wondering if it is the crank shaft or a rod.

I have twisted the tube and maneuvered it every way I can in hopes of getting it to go around whatever is obstructing it from going all the way in but it will go any deeper.

The result is that I can only draw out about 1-2 quarts of oil and must finish the job the old fashioned way.

The car is a 1980 300sd and I am wondering if there is something else I need try in order to get this to go in properly.

I have not tried it on my 240d or Chevy so do not know if the problem is specific to the 300sd.

Anyone ever had this problem with this type of unit? Thanks

im not sure on that but what i do know is that i would do it the old fasioned way because that pump doesnt get all the crap that collects at the bottom of the oil pan.

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Mine is a manual pump action oil changer with a tube about a quarter inch around that goes down the dip stick. I use it on a 1980 300sd it works fine but is too slow so I do it the old fashioned way. But it is my son’s car when he does it he uses the pump just fine. We just replaced the upper oil pan on this car DON’T ASK. I can’t think of any think that could be in the way I have tons of pictures of the job I will look at them and see if there’s something it could be hitting. I do know if your tube went towards the back of the motor it would hit a baffle and only pull about 1 and a quarter quarts of oil let me think on it.
Dave

I have several oil changers that I use depending on the particular car that I'm changing oil in. For the ones with 13MM hex size drain bolt I use a Snap On 13MM combination. It has NEVER failed to work every time.

Have a great day,

I haven't used a Jabsco but my Topsider works like a champ every time. In fact, next weekend I figure it will be in use for the 321,000 mile oil change.

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Richard Detoy
'84 300SD
'76 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans