Best Way to Drain a Small Amount of Oil?

Paulporsche · 05-20-2009, 11:43 AM

I want to drain about 1 quart of oil out of the engine to see if that solves a small leak I currently have.

What is the best way to drain this small amount?

tonythetarga · 05-20-2009, 11:51 AM

If you want to reduce the overall volume by one qt, drain some oil out of the tank drain. If it is engine itself you want to drain, open the drain plug and make sure your oil drain pan is clean. Two methods; you can drain all the oil from the engine and measure it qt, by qt and put back one less or just drain a bunch out, plug it back up, measure out a quart and refill the rest via the tank. Screen it back if you want to be certain there are no chunks of foreign matter.

GrantG · GrantG's Garage

It's easier to pump some out from the oil tank with a hand pump from an auto parts store (fish the clear vinyl tube down the oil fill place).

longhornchris04 · longhornchris04's Garage

I'd get a siphon-pump and pull a quart from the tank using a narrow hose to extend from the pump.

Even if your crank case has too much oil, wouldn't the levels rebalance once the car was started?

I'd avoid pulling the drain plug as you will likely give up more than 1qt of oil. Plus, if you pump it out its much easier to measure and collect to use again.

You could also go for the old-fasion gasoline theft method and siphon it by mouth... what could possibly go wrong.

kristan · kristan's Garage

I would be careful with the hand pump:

Dropped plastic tube in the oil tank.

EarlyPorsche · 05-20-2009, 01:14 PM

Just pull sump plug. Thats about 2 quarts on mine, then just add a tad.

dw1 · 06:34 PM

I used a large syringe (60cc syringe) with a pvc tube attached to the front of it. Basically a home-made hand/syphon pump.

I've also done the same thing with a turkey baster and a piece of tubing. Be very, very careful to insure the tubing is attached to the front of the baster or syringe so there is no way it could fall off.

This approach gives nice precision for small volumes, but patience is required for larger volumes. At 50cc (or so) per syringe-full, it would take about 20 times doing that to pull a quart.

911pcars · 05-20-2009, 02:13 PM

The Harbor Freight transfer pump is just right for this task. It has longish hoses so they won't get misplaced. Price is <$10. Ideal for replacing gearbox fluid too.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66418

I would also recommend replacing the drain plug with a Fumoto ball-check valve. Sample 2 oz or 8 quarts accurately and cleanly. Avoids drain plug hunting in the hot drain pan; also reduces the other issue with drain plugs - frozen in place.

Sherwood

KTL · 05-20-2009, 02:58 PM

Why not just partially loosen the engine sump drain plug and let it semi-slowly drain out? You could do the tank plug the same way, but that one usually flows faster and makes more of a mess......

If you must use the pump type method, i'd vote hand pump before suction gun. Those suction "guns" (it's like a big syringe) are crap and just make a big mess in my experience with them. I do well with turkey baster type for small volume. This method where you squeeze the ball, suck fluid in, then squeeze it out into container is slow but fairly clean. Plews makes a good automotive baster that's actually used for battery service. I typically use the baster for sucking brake fluid out of the reservoir when flushing the brakes. The feature of this baster is it's got a really large squeeze ball on it. I got it at Ace Hardware recently.

911pcars · 05-20-2009, 03:16 PM

Not sure of the volume of your turkey baster, but at 60cc's a squeeze (about 2 oz.), you'll want to pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable. The price seems right. However, I wouldn't advise it (getting old) when changing gear oil.

Sherwood

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Just park it for a few days until it's leaked out the quantity desired. Voila!

brendon · brendon's Garage

911pcars beat me to it.

I was going to recommend the fumoto valve as well. My 911SC used the FG7B for the oil tank. I wouldn't recommend putting one on the sump plate though.

http://www.lubricationspecialist.com/front/showcontent.aspx?fileid=105&gclid=CKa65s2szJoCFRKIxwodCEk1lA

T77911S · 05-21-2009, 03:18 AM

hey paul, glad to see you are making progress with the CIS.
let the car sit, or even jack the right side up a little. put on a rubber glove and pull the tank plug for a calibrated qt. i had to do a while back but i did not jack the car.
mine seems to do better on oil leaks/consumption if i keep the oil near the bottom mark. i get a lot of blow-by (from worn rings) so the low oil helps with this.

Paulporsche · 05-22-2009, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys. I may get the drain plug ball check valve.

I went w/ the $3 turkey baster and $3 worth of PVC tubing. I got about 800 mL out in about a dozen pulls. Worked fine and the smoke from the seepage due to the "overfill" (level was @ the top mark) appears to have gone.

T77911S,

I think I've finally got it all worked out re the CIS issues. I'll do a final post soon.

plymouthcolt · plymouthcolt's Garage

Let the car sit until the oil is cool. Stick a hose down in the oil tank and suck on the hose then spit out the oil. Try not to swallow any oil as it's probably poisonous and you can get really sick or die.

911pcars · 05-22-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouthcolt

Let the car sit until the oil is cool. Stick a hose down in the oil tank and suck on the hose then spit out the oil. Try not to swallow any oil as it's probably poisonous and you can get really sick or die.

I missed the

or

or

in your post.

Are you claiming motor oil is the equivalent of extra virgin olive oil? This might be one for Mythbusters..... or someone who really knows.

Sherwood