Easier way to change the oil?

"At least I am enjoying the ride"

Location: Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 12, 2005
Points: 231

Easier way to change the oil?
Original Message May 15, 2005 11:07 pm

Is there a device that allows you to put a tub down the oil filler neck and pump out the oil as apposed to going underneath? If not, there sould be! And if so, can you post a link, or brand name, or where to look for one?

Thanks again,
Brian

Brian Chang

Ariens 8526LE, Bradley 32" 12.5HP walk behind mower, Echo BP200 blower, Troy Built 4.5HP Pressure Washer, Craftsman 4.5HP Yard Vac, Homelite line trimmer, Scotts 21" high wheel mower, MTD 3.5HP Edger.

jgreen

Joined: Sep 9, 2003
Points: 149

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #1 May 16, 2005 8:46 am

Hello cleanmaxx Brian,

Do a google search on topside oil changer. or visit any marine supply store. my friend uses one on his boat

John
Scotts 21" self propelled mower
MTD 4.5 HP single stage snow thrower
Snapper 3 HP single stage snow thrower
Yardman 5HP two stage snowblower

cleanmaxx_brian

"At least I am enjoying the ride"

Location: Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 12, 2005
Points: 231

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #2 May 16, 2005 9:59 am

NICE!!! That is perfect!!! Thanks John!

Brian Chang

spottedpony

Joined: Aug 23, 2004
Points: 301

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #3 May 16, 2005 11:27 am

ive never been a fan of pumping the oil out from the top, even though it can be a real hassle on some pieces of equipment. the problem that exists as i see it, by not draining out the bottom drain plug, theres no way to be sure one gets all the sludge that may be present nor any condensation that may be present in the crankcase. by draining out of the crank case drain and taking the time to let it drain well, and getting all possible contaminants removed from the engine.

cleanmaxx_brian

"At least I am enjoying the ride"

Location: Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 12, 2005
Points: 231

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #4 May 16, 2005 11:30 am

I bet that is the reason for running the engine first. I know in a car or an engine with a screw on filter, this shouldn't even be an issue as the filter should catch the contaminets...

Brian Chang

nibbler

Joined: Mar 5, 2004
Points: 751

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #5 May 16, 2005 12:26 pm

cleanmaxx_brian wrote:

I bet that is the reason for running the engine first. I know in a car or an engine with a screw on filter, this shouldn't even be an issue as the filter should catch the contaminets...

Partly. It mostly has to do with heating the oil up a bit so it will drain faster and easier. I would guess that it would also help a bit if you use the suck it out from the top technique as well. I tend to think draining from the bottom is better., gravity is so dependable.

As far a a car filter is concerned, if it caught everything then you wouldn't need to change the oil. You could change the filer and then top up. Unfortunately a filter catches stuff above a certain size, anything smaller and it gets through. As a filter loads up with junk it can actually catch smaller stuff but not all of it. Unfortunately it also impedes the flow of lubricant more and more.. At some point the impeding the flow of lubricant bexomes more of a problem than the catching smaller stuff and you need to change the filter.

AJace

I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange

Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #6 May 16, 2005 2:16 pm

Brian, I have an oil drain plug Sears put on special. What you do with it is just put a tube on the end, and twist and pull. Here is a diagram

It's number 38, Sears part number 148315, someone like Buttlint or Snowshovler might be able to help you get the plug.

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

cleanmaxx_brian

"At least I am enjoying the ride"

Location: Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 12, 2005
Points: 231

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #7 May 16, 2005 3:11 pm

Thats is pretty cool! I am going to look into that! Thanks!!!

Brian Chang

Bill_D

Nice day for a mow!!

Location: Chicago
Joined: Dec 6, 2002
Points: 920

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #8 May 16, 2005 4:02 pm

1st off as someone mentioned the only reason for running the engine is to warm up the oil so it indeed drains faster and more completely athan if it were cold. #2 i would also reccomend not using this pump out method. If you have ever seen a drain plug that is magnatized( I magnetize all mine) , all those shavings would be left in everytime. Now in the days that most parts are turning towards aluminum, the drain plug wont catch them anymore, so they will just settle at the bottom of the pan. Too heavy to go up and get caught in the filter. Just my 2 cents.

snowshoveler

tides in dirts out surfs up

Location: bridgewater nova scotia...aka the swamp
Joined: Jan 3, 2003
Points: 1261

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #9 May 16, 2005 5:28 pm

a couple years ago we were at an update school and they were bragging about the oil vaccuum ,of course i was a sceptic.

a guy next to us said he got one to use on argos.and now its used all the time.

so we decided to get one ,well it came and we were still sceptical so we used it and still took out the drainplugs just to check if it was working as supposed to.

i can tell tou now that its the best tool in the shop no question about it.

and the engine manufacturers say its okay for them to.

if you can get one in your budget go ahead,was about a hundred canadian. for an 15 liter size

should be almost free in US

later chris

craftsman 10/28 snowblower with tracks husky 372xpg chainsaw sachs dolmar bc212 bushsaw mondo trimmer monster tractor with trailer cheep wheelbarro and couple shovels and a partridge in a pear tree

robmints

Joined: May 13, 2003
Points: 4691

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #10 May 16, 2005 6:35 pm

snowshoveler wrote:

should be almost free in US

later chris

In Alaska Senator Stevens makes sure you get paid to buy one.

AJace

I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange

Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #11 May 16, 2005 11:31 pm

Snowshovler, where can I buy something like this?

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

Bill_D

Nice day for a mow!!

Location: Chicago
Joined: Dec 6, 2002
Points: 920

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #12 May 17, 2005 12:08 am

Me, I'll stick w/ Sir Isaac Newton and let gravity drain my oil, but you can buy this thing at Northern Tool for 39 bucks.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=390306&R=390306

SnowRemover

Toro 828LXE

Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #14 May 17, 2005 8:58 am

About four years ago I saw an article in Consumer Reports about a PELA (http://www.pelaproducts.com/) oil changer. My Dad was getting older, but still liked to change his own motor oil, so I bought it for him.

Unfortunately his GM car was not compatible with the device because there wasn't a straight run from the dipstick to the oil pan (there was a bend which a dipstick can easily maneuver through, but the plastic PELA nozzle could not). So he gave it back to me so I could use it. My Pontiac Grand Am did not have the bend and it worked great for two oil changes and one lawn mower change. Then the nozzle that holds the vaccuum after you pump got loose and no amount of glue or anything else has gotten it to work since.

It's still in my garage - pay for shipping and I'll gladly send it to you. $50 was the initial cost and I could have paid someone to change my oil for all the use it gave me. Not the greatest item, and since you don't use it regularly, the warranty runs out fast).

--SnowRemover

It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!
--Friedrich Nietzsche

MissSnowshoveler

If you don't have free speech, what do you have?

Location: NS
Joined: Feb 5, 2005
Points: 706

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #15 May 17, 2005 9:41 am

The Pela is what we use here at the shop for the small engines and it works great. If it's real quiet (like that happens a lot) the sound of the last reminants of oil being sucked out scares the crap out of people. I've seen people jump at the sound and I just giggle and shake my head. It saves a lot of time when changing the oil around a busy shop. Just stick tube in, walk away while finishing the last project and getting ready for the next.

Sherri

If you don't have free speech, what do you have?

Termy

Location: Washington
Joined: Oct 24, 2004
Points: 960

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #16 May 17, 2005 12:57 pm

I still say that my funnel with the 12 inch long garden hose attached to it is fine for your purposes. I use mine that I fabricated myself and never have a problem. Why go and buy some mucky muck oi sump pump that may not get all the sludge out?

Vangellis

Dream more easy in the chair that really fits you.

Location: Factoryville, PA. (NE PA)
Joined: Oct 1, 2003
Points: 373

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #17 May 17, 2005 2:15 pm

I can see the use of it in a busy shop, but I think I'd rather go with gravity too. This was a nice feature on the Briggs Vanguard V-twin on the Simplicity I just got. Then after your done changing the oil, it just tucks back up in. Kevin

Simplicity Conquest

AJace

I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange

Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Easier way to change the oil?
Reply #18 May 17, 2005 3:51 pm

Kevin, I guess you just turn that valve that in the engine with a wrench and then turn off the plug with another? It seems like that hose is just pressed on. Looks like that tractor is getting used.

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions