The siphon tube is basically a straw. The engine is like a soda can. There is no seal between the siphon tube and the dipstick tube, so the pressures you imply do not exist.

I would not call the method "inane." It is easier, more convenient, and more effective other methods -- except Larry Bible's.

This is nuts.

Change the oil however works people, if you like laying on your back, do it. If you prefer using another method, do it.

Really nuts.

WOW 3 pages on what method of oil change to use! What a waste of server space. Now if we could just figure out how ofter to change our oil. Oh wait, has that already been covered too? :D

You're absolutely right! I suppose it's simply easy to get sucked into (no pun intended) these silly discussions.



And an "inane idea" because it is supposed that we are all here on this forum because we choose to do our own MBZ repair & maintenance. If one wants to distance oneself from the hassle of it all, just take the car to the local mechanic and have done with it. Sorry for the confusion; I obviously made the mistake of thinking that we all read between the lines.

Yes, the subject has been beaten into complete oblivion here on mshop for a number of years. Everyone knows, however, that if you kick a dead horse enough, it might climb back up on all four feet.

Just being honest, somehow this one strikes a chord with me. I have spent my entire life getting dirty working on cars and other forms of wheeled conveyence. So, somehow, I find it difficult to walk in someones shoes who is afraid to do the same. I also find it difficult to identify with a man using hand lotion.

"Mr. Bible, you are charged with inciting debate regarding oil change method. How do you plead?"

Guilty as charged your honor!

That works great, as do surgical gloves. Easier to wash up later.

Some people have a difficult time accepting others' preferences and ideas. Whatever works, works.

On the subject of oil changes, I detest those infernal belly-pan/encapsulation devices Mercedes has used under their engines since the mid '80s. I'd seriously consider one of those top-side oil-change 'contraptions' if I had those belly-pans on my cars.
In my experience, without a lift, those pans rarely go back up so easily. It can be major pain, trying to get those tiny sheet metal screws into their greasy, tiny holes, while manuevering/supporting the pan.
It's even worse when some ham-fisted klutz has previously torqued those tiny screws and stripped some or all of those cheezy, tiny special speed-nuts.
On more than one occasion, while working under other's Benzes, I've had to custom-fabricate replacement speednuts when it was on the weekend, or too late/too much hassle to get cross-town to the nearest dealer for those parts.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I helped my son reseal the lower oil pan on his 1999 C43 (M113.944) last weekend. We used a Motive Power vacuum unit to suck the oil out through the dipstick tube. When we dropped the pan there was still oil in it. We set the pan back in place with three bolts, pulled the drain plug and drained the remaining oil into a graduated container. We measured 14 ounces (350 ML).

We checked the suction tube on the vacuum unit (we had previously marked the suction hose as a visual aid to ensure it would be inserted all the way to the bottom of the pan). The suction tube projected about 3/16" below the end of the dipstick tube extension inside the oil pan.

It appears that the suction method removes less oil.

A great idea, until you get some anal customer who doesn't appreciate that 4" hole, and makes you buy them a new 'encapsulation device'!

Incidentally, a friend has a 2004 turbo Subaru Forester. The engine can be a real pain to work on, but at least the factory belly-pan has a 3" access hole with a removeable cover for the oil-drain.

Happy Motoring, Mark

There ya' go!

Must depend on the engine and/or the method, mine removes at least as much as draining it based on sucking the oil out first, then removing the engine and having no drainable oil in the pan (M104 & OM602/603).

No simple way to drain the oil cooler though.

Oil Cooler Drain
 

'Given the Oil Cooler has Engine Oil Pressure...would it be feasible to
"drill and tap" for a drain plug in the bottom?

It is definitely true that some models will suck better than others. In previous dead horse kicking sessions there were claims that sucking actually removed more than draining.

BTW, as to all the claims of soap under the fingernails. lotion before working (my wife and daughter would definitely be up for that one) and gloves.... 1)Gloves are out for me. I just can't work with gloves on. 2)The soap under the fingernails sounds like a great idea if I could ever, at my age, develop the habit of doing it before it's too late. 3)The one that I DO take issue with though is putting on hand lotion before working. I can't stand the thought of leaving hand lotion prints on my Binford 9200.

I guess I sound like the biggest, nastiest slob that ever walked, but when I get in the shop I'm workin'. I stick my hands in oil or grease or force them into a tight spot so bad that the next day they might look like they went through a meat grinder.

My GoJo and shop towels are right by the door and I scrub up before heading back to the house and then sometimes have to peel off my work clothes before going in the back door. It's a good thing that the nearest neighbors house is at least a 1/4 mile away.

That's just me.

Just to level the playing field again
 

I hate to add any more to this pissing contest but...... I just changed my oil through the dip stick and also sucked out the filter bowl (try doing that from the bottom plug) Dip stick was a full mark when started. Refilled with the 4 liter (gallon jug?) of mobil 1. Took 2 jugs and only refilled to the halfway mark. So I either got jipped on the jug content or I got ALL of the oil out or maybe both.
So there ya go. It's a tool and like any tool you have to know how to use it. I shove it down the tube until I feel resistance, then go another 1/2 inch. Evacuate until audible slurping is noted, then pull back the 1/2 inch until you hear the slurping stop and more oil is noted emptying into the container. Continue this last step until no more oil is extracted.

Or take 30 seconds to pull the plug and walk away until the next morning and get it all with no screwing around.