Oil siphon

wcc · 11-09-2005, 11:17 AM

Has anyone used a siphon to pump out the oil? Since it comes out so fast and there is A LOT of it I thought about pumping out most of it and draining the rest of it. I'd leave about 1-2 quarts in to flush out what's left when I pull the plug.

Has anyone done this and is it a good idea?

Rot 911 · 11-09-2005, 11:21 AM

Easier just to drain it.

wcc · 11-09-2005, 11:32 AM

The last time I drained it I had a friend that had access to a lift and one of those big drums on wheels with a commercial grade funnel on it. It was huge. When that oil came out it almost flowed over the top of the funnel.
So now it is my turn and I don't have access to those great tools. I have about a 5 quart oil catcher. I plan on getting a bigger one. I just don't want to make the news for an oil spill. That is my major concern.

If draining it is still the best way to go what are you guys using to catch such a large amount of fluid? I plan on leaving my car on the ground.

Rot 911 · 11-09-2005, 12:01 PM

The search button is your friend.

mschuep · 11-09-2005, 12:20 PM

I use a big plastic kitty litter pan, wal-mart < 5 bucks. Check to be sure it can hold enough fluid with simple volume math.

this might help with conversions

http://www.digitaldutch.com/unitconverter/

MobileWrks · 11-09-2005, 12:22 PM

Also, Walmart does have a small pump that i also carry with me. Pumps out just enough, small and or large.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

I use a large plastic concrete mixing pan from Home Depot. Works perfect for all my vehicles. Holds tons of oil and is only about 6 inches tall.

M.D. Holloway · 11-09-2005, 01:31 PM

not sure you have to. Autozone has a oil change pan that holds 3+ gallons. If you drain the crank then empty then drain the sump you have plenty of room.

wcc · 11-09-2005, 02:49 PM

I'll check out that pan from Autozone. That one sounds like a winner to me.

Thanks!!!

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

I use a big 15 gallon bucket for the tank, and a 5 gallon Blitz oil drain pan for the sump.

boyt911sc · boyt911sc's Garage

WCC,

The total oil volume in your engine is just about 3 gallons (12 quarts). So a 5-gallon container is more than sufficient for an oil change job. You need atleast 1 three-gallon drain pan to drain the oil tank; empty it and then drain the engine oil.

TD

donstevens · donstevens's Garage

I have an oil siphon....It Sucks. Sorry for the pun. Mine if the Griot unit and it works reasonablly well. This method is often used for inboard boats where it can be dificult to drain the oil. It is ok but draining is better.

Don

Ian Comerford · Ian Comerford's Garage

This one might sound a little strange, but when I changed my oil and didn't have a suitably large container I used a large plastic bag. It obviously fits easily under the car, having a flexible shape, and once full you drain it into old oil cans by cutting off one corner of the bag with scissors. Try it and see.

Ian

petrolblue83911 · 11-11-2005, 10:31 AM

Ian,

You're brave!-hot oil into a plastic bag!-better have been a strong ass bag!

-Just Kidding, did that really work?

-I drive up on ramps, and place a 5 gallon bucket underneath.

-the autozone large capac. catch is ok, but the problem can be that the oil comes out a bit faster than it can drain into the containers sump, so you end up watching as it rises and rises, and eventually overflows the side!

na2ub · 11-11-2005, 12:25 PM

I got an open-top big a$$ container from my local auto store. Don't forget that even if you have a big container, if the drain hole in the middle is small in diameter, the oil cannot get into it fast enough and you will be dumping large amounts of kitty litter on the garage floor.

Doug

wcc · 11-11-2005, 01:03 PM

That bag idea is interesting but I don't think I want to try that one out.

petrolblue83911,
You drive up ramps to drain the oil. Then do you lift the front of your car to make it level? If you don't then you aren't getting all your oil our are you?

I bought a 5 gallon open top oil pan with a drain spout from Tractor Supply Company. I'll drain it all out but I really haven't heard a really good reason not to suck most of it out then drain the last couple of quarts. To suck it out and then drain it seems like to me there is less of a chance for a mess.

M.D. Holloway · 11-11-2005, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by petrolblue83911
...the autozone large capac. catch is ok, but the problem can be that the oil comes out a bit faster than it can drain into the containers sump, so you end up watching as it rises and rises, and eventually overflows the side!

I took a doorhole bit and drilled out a 3" hole - drains great, even provides a nice wide hole for the pan plug to fall through if your not careful!

wcc · 11-11-2005, 06:06 PM

Well I just finished my first solo oil change on my Porsche. I've done it on other cars and I must say that this was VERY easy. Unlike the other cars I've done there wasn't one drop of oil that landed on the floor. I mean NONE. That's a first for me!!

I ended up just draining everything into a 5 gallon oil pan I bought from Tractor Supply and it worked great!

Thanks for all the tips!!!

C-ya in the next thread........