Oil drain tube change, need to drain all oil?

[Tobydog61]

I need to change my driver side oil drain tubes and, of course, just put new oil in after a valve adjustment. Can I drain the engine sump and not the oil tank or Will the tank back feed into the sump?

[john walker's workshop]

If you don't waste time, you'll be ok.

[emac911]

I drained the engine sump to swap oil return tubes, adjust valves, etc and I think it was about 2.5qts.

[Tobydog61]

Originally Posted by emac911

I drained the engine sump to swap oil return tubes, adjust valves, etc and I think it was about 2.5qts.

You didn't drain the tank? If all I have to do is drain the sump, it's a huge savings or time and new oil.

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by Tobydog61

You didn't drain the tank? If all I have to do is drain the sump, it's a huge savings or time and new oil.

Or just drain it all into clean container and put back if the oil is truly that fresh.

[emac911]

Originally Posted by Tobydog61

You didn't drain the tank? If all I have to do is drain the sump, it's a huge savings or time and new oil.

No, I didnt drain the tank. I measured the amount that came out of the sump and put that amount back in. 2.5qts.

It took me several days to do everything, and I didn't have any issue with it refilling and messing me up. Even with draining the sump, there is still oil that leaks out when removing the valve covers and return tubes. It wasnt much but have a rag handy.

To insert the tubes I used the radiator clamps and a screwdriver technique. I tried a couple of other tricks I saw online, but the clamps/screwdriver was the easiest for me. Valve cover gaskets and return tubes solved my oil leak problems. Dry as a bone now!

[Walt Fricke]

I'd try it without draining anything. Jack the car us as high as you can on the side where you are removing the tube. "Try" means putting a large pan under the case end of the tube in case you have so much oil in the sump the even at a high angle the oil level is above the case hole.

This tilt method works fine for pulling an exhaust valve cover to adjust valves or fiddle with rocker shafts or any other work there. Haven't tried it for pulling a tube, though. But you won't lose too much any way, and won't have to fuss with a full drain or to try to work fast on a hot motor. Though you could combine a hot (or warm) motor with the jack it way up approach.

[Tobydog61]

Just a quick update on how this job went. I did end up draining all the oil to be safe. I think I could have just drained the sump and been ok.

The whole job of replacing the two driver side tubes (the worst side and hardest to access) was really very easy. Crushing the stock tubes and twisting removed them very easily. Installing the aluminum expanding type tubes was easy and the only challenge is to get the C clip to engage the locking groove on the inner tube just due to access but between the C clip pliers and a long screw driver, it went very well.

I am now totally drip free so will see how long this lasts. Thanks

[FA-18C]

Toby - I am getting ready to do this, and have an 88 Carrera. Were you have to work around the CAT and HE on the driver's side. Not worried about passenger, but the driver's side looks like a pre-planned exercise in stabbing myself in the eye. I have ready post after post, could you describe your install method?

[proporsche]

Originally Posted by Tobydog61

I need to change my driver side oil drain tubes and, of course, just put new oil in after a valve adjustment. Can I drain the engine sump and not the oil tank or Will the tank back feed into the sump?

ok, if you are changing one side only..was the other side changed or you just decided to do one side?
If the other side was not replaced do them all 4.Also it is really no big deal to drain the engine.It take couple of minutes and you will have less mess doing the job.After put the drained oil back in the car. it is that simple...

Ivan

oh yes ,do use metal oil return tubes no aluminium types...