Anyone uses oil extractor for engine oil changes?
 

I recently found out about this product and looks like it is widely used in the boating industry, since engine bottoms are often not accessible easily or some dont have drain plugs at all. (also used for smaller engines in all kinds of equipment)

here is the product "PELA 650 Oil Extractor": http://www.yachtsee.com/pelaoilextractor650.htm

Our main concern is - Does it remove all oil completely not leaving any oil/gunk behind? From quick search i found some reports where people tested this product by first using this thing to extract all oil and then opened drain plug to see how much oil (if any) was left and apperently it did a pretty good job!!! (on mazda miata and nissan pathfinder).. the trick is to warm up the oil in the engine first so it is less viscous and all the particles are suspended for easy extraction and then make sure that tube reaches the bottom. link

Also, i read the claim that oil extractors are used by factory BMW&Mercedes technicians..

So, anyone had experience with these things on our cars?

http://www.yachtsee.com/images/PL650main.gif

Nope, not at all. I'm more of a traditional drain oil, change filter, and refill with new oil type of guy, lol. I've seen it done before on a BMW 7 series but it wouldn't hurt 4 u to try and see what results u get. Just b careful not to bend the valve cover oil baffle plate when u use that machine.

I too have heard about the BMW & Mercedes using this type of tool, but I feel that letting the oil drain and then drip has to get more of the sludge out of the pan. Besides, if there is a little extra in the budget, there are plenty of other neat diagnostic toys to buy.

They get most of the oil out, but not all of it. Technically, no oil change gets all of the oil. But a traditional removal of the drain plug with time to drip out gets more than the suction pump.

Mercedes uses those things when their lifts are in use, or if the owner is in a hurry (i.e. "waiting around" for the service). I've never heard of them using it on a regular basis. It doesn't really matter either way, you get out enough of the old oil both ways. Chances are you're changing your oil too soon anyway.

for me its not the time, but convinience, especially when living in the populated area DIY oil change becomes much easier if you dont have to put the car on jacks.

where is valve cover oil baffle located?

Put in a quart of oil flush before you change your oil and you will get more junk out.

I have been thinking about using something like this for my tranny fluid, after doing some research I'm going to go with the air powered pump

I am using that oil extractor for both of my Benz and Lexus. I like it :thumbup:

Andy

The one I'm thinking about purchasing is by mityvac, have you used to changes transmission fluid?

Awesome. What year ES300 do you have? Do you have problems reaching engine bottom with that extractor tube? Do you do this on cold or warm engine?

thanks for the tip! found more details about engine flush here.

hows that stuff going to clean the valves if you add it to the crankcase?

I think it cant. i think they are trying to be misleading in their little webpage about restoring efficiency to the valves, cause all it could do is free up a sticky lifter

and seafoam is the same thing and you can get that in a store quick and easy

I use that exact extractor on my boat. I have never used on the car. It works very well. Has anyone tried for the transmission? I guess you would have to go down the transmission dip stick tube.