Engine Oil Extractor

[SJ_GTI]

Anyone use one of these for your oil changes?

On my S4 I never did the oil changes myself. In that case the dealer gave me a loaner to it was more convenient to just drop it off and let them do the work. With my previous cars I normally did the oil changes myself, but would do them at the garage where my dad works.

I could still go to my dad's garage, but since I have my own indoor space I'd like to just do it myself on the weekend. Since my Golf R has the oil filter above the engine it seemed like it would be a lot easier to use an engine oil extractor instead of  jacking the car up and draining it out from the bottom.

Anyone else use one of these things? FWIW I am going to use it for the first time either this weekend or next weekend. I am not yet up to 5k miles but the car's oil life monitor seems to think I am due.

[FoMoJo]

If there is any residue, it will be lying in the bottom of the oil pan and the extractor will not likely get it.

[MX793]

If there is any residue, it will be lying in the bottom of the oil pan and the extractor will not likely get it.

That's OK.  You want to keep that to season the oil pan.  Like with cast iron cookware.

[giant_mtb]

Why waste the money?  Just drain it like normal.  Keep a rag handy for when you take the filter off.

[BimmerM3]

Why waste the money?  Just drain it like normal.  Keep a rag handy for when you take the filter off.

Since my Golf R has the oil filter above the engine it seemed like it would be a lot easier to use an engine oil extractor instead of  jacking the car up and draining it out from the bottom.

[giant_mtb]

D'oh.

[SVT_Power]

Sorento's oil filter is also on top (I assume all the cartridge types are on top), I just drain the oil out the bottom like normal.

Can't say I'm a big fan of the cartridge oil filters, I'd just prefer to have a normal metal one. The plastic cap to get to the filter is a PITA to open

[CaminoRacer]

Does the oil get all over the place when it's on top?

[MX793]

Spin on canister filters FTW.  Cartridges suck.

[giant_mtb]

Does the oil get all over the place when it's on top?

Mine didn't on my A4.  But Taco spills when taking off the filter...there's even a catch drain with a needle on the bottom of the oil filter housing so you can hook up a bleeder hose or similar to drain away the oil coming out of the filter when you remove it. I usually just shove a couple rags under it. 

[SVT_Power]

I usually just shove a couple rags under it. 

[12,000 RPM]

If I could get to the filters from the top I'd mess with this. Just know you will always have some old oil in

[SJ_GTI]

So did the oil change this weekend. The extractor got A LOT of oil out. I would estimate 6+ quarts.



FWIW total capacity is 2.5 gallons, so each ridge is roughly 1/2 gallon (2 quarts). Engine oil capacity is 5.7 liters (6.0 quarts). Overall it was very easy to use and sucks the oil out much faster than I expected. Engine was warm so that might have made it easier.

Next oil change I may use the extractor again but then also replace the drain plug afterward just to see how much more (if any) oil is left over. I thought about doing it this time but didn't feel like putting in the extra effort. 

[12,000 RPM]

How much did that run you? I'm surprised there was a clear path down to the sump.

[SJ_GTI]

How much did that run you? I'm surprised there was a clear path down to the sump.

~$100 off amazon.

I put the tube down the oil dipstick pipe. I watched a couple of DIY video's and that is the way all of them did it.

[SJ_GTI]

Does the oil get all over the place when it's on top?

Almost forgot about this.

For me it was probably the cleanest oil change I have ever done, pretty much no spoiled oil anywhere. I extracted the oil before removed the filter, so when I took the filter off it was mostly drained of oil already.

That being said supposedly the drain plug underneath the car is situated in such a way that when you remove it you are very unlikely to make a mess. It comes out horizontally and the plug itself tends stay on the screwdriver as it comes off.

[Cookie Monster]

If it comes out horizontally wouldn't that shoot oil across at other things?

[MX793]

If it comes out horizontally wouldn't that shoot oil across at other things?

You just need to offset your drain pan slightly.  Horizontal drain plugs aren't that uncommon.

[CaminoRacer]

SBC is on the "bottom" but comes out at an angle. NBD.

[Cookie Monster]

You just need to offset your drain pan slightly.  Horizontal drain plugs aren't that uncommon.

My car has it horizontal. The oil always shoots out a little onto my fingers or hand,  and I have to move the pan as the oil empties. IMO the vertical drain plugs are much cleaner.

Not that it really matters.

[MX793]

My car has it horizontal. The oil always shoots out a little onto my fingers or hand,  and I have to move the pan as the oil empties. IMO the vertical drain plugs are much cleaner.

Not that it really matters.

That's why you get one of these:

[Soup DeVille]

Waste of money and just one more potential leak.

[MX793]

Waste of money and just one more potential leak.

We ran them on every truck in the fleet.  Never had a leak.  Made oil changes so much nicer, and no risk of stripping out the oil pan.

[Cookie Monster]

That's why you get one of these:

Yeah I've read they might leak.  I looked into them but on a lowered car I don't want to add something that sits even lower on the oil pan.

[Cookie Monster]

Although I supposed technically those valves pay for themselves since you don't need to keep buying crush washers at every change. (that is if you even change those...).

[Soup DeVille]

Although I supposed technically those valves pay for themselves since you don't need to keep buying crush washers at every change. (that is if you even change those...).

Never have. Never had a leak because of it either.

[giant_mtb]

I've never changed a washer or oil pan plug.  Never had an issue.

[Cookie Monster]

I never used to till I randomly lost half my oil one day on the road and found the crush washer super deformed.

Now I just do it for peace of mind.

[giant_mtb]

I never used to till I randomly lost half my oil one day on the road and found the crush washer super deformed.

Now I just do it for peace of mind.

Totally fair.