Been owning cars for 25 years. never had anyone change the oil except myself. For many years it has been getting under the car and opening the drain plug and getting a bunch of oil on my hands.
Got a BMW last year and after cruising the forums on them I noticed a lot of them were using a tool that sucks the oil out the dipstick. been used for years in the boating trade. So i bought one and promptly tested it on my BMW worked great and did not even need to get under the car of get oil all over my hands as the filter is on top of the engine.
So time for the 05 pathfinder. tube that came with the thing worked great. I measured the amount of oil taken out and it was close to five quarts.
But had to get under it because NiSSAN decided to put the filter in a HARD as heck place to reach. Good thing I got the cup filter remover from wally world. put the cup over the filter and a couple of turns of my 3/8" driver nad it was over.
this thing works great and it come in the compressor type like mine or a hand pump model.
Hmmm, that looks easy. Can you tell us what that unit costs? I think I read a column from Click and Clack that said those aren't very effective at getting the thick stuff out of the bottom of the pan but if you're getting out as much as you're putting in, then maybe that's the way to go.
Last edited by Burdabit : May 26th, 2006 at 08:20 PM.
These types of units can be had for under 100 dollars. I got mine at harbor frieght. mine is air driven but the pump/vacuum units work just as good. I also have read they don't get all stuff out . I think its false though. As long as the tube gets to the bottom and the oil is warm then all the gunk should be suspended in the oil.
The benefits are no oil running down my arms when pulling the drain plug and the speed.I did the oils change in 20 mins.
I have been told the Mercedes and Bmw dealers do it the same way.
Last edited by Wash Pathfinder : May 26th, 2006 at 10:20 PM.
Seems like when the level gets down to where the hose is not completely submerged in oil the suction will stop, leaving the bottem muck behind. Also, when I change my oil, I drain what I can from the transmission sump to add a little fresh tranny fluid on a regular basis and clean out the gunk.
Ok get ready for a laugh.. so i'm changin the oil this weekend..
and Outkast's "remove skid plate" tip makes gettin the filter out easier.. but i got so caught up counting all the bolts i removed.. i forget to put the Most important bolt back on.. yep you guessed it.. oil pan drain bolt.. DOH!
So after 4 qts.. i realize it's all goin on my garage Floor! Oh man what a mess..
FWIW.. my '05 Pathfinder takes 5.75 qts w/ filter change.
Oh and cat litter is real good at soaking up oil on garage floor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Outkast
..it's cleaner and easier to just take the whole skid plate off to do the oil. All you'll have to remove is 6 10mm bolts from chin finisher, 4 from the bumper, and 4 from the shid plate. It sounds like a lot but trust me it isn't. and that makes it soooo much easier to clean up and reach.
type oil extractor in a search engine and something will come out.when The hose looked like it was getting air instead of fluid I stopped it for a few minutes to allow stuff thats on top to continue draining down. Few minuites later turned it back on and sucked whatever was left.
Girots garage sells one. harbor freight has the same one for 40 buck cheaper.
If concerned about "gunk" leftover one could alternate pump and drain every other change. i looked at my oil this morning and it looks clean.
5.75 quarts? I need to look at my manual. thought it was 5.
Btw mine came with a brake bleeder attachment. It will suck almost any liguid out. I used it to change the oil on my compresser and lawnmower
Washy, i still think there's be 1/4" of the dirtiest oil, with the heaviest particles left at the bottom of the oil pan after a drain. We use one of these pumps on our boat with an inboard V8 but we have to, there is no way to get under the motor.
You're probably OK, but I'll always prefer opening up the drain plug and even jacking up the far side of the car to get the most complete drain I can.
..when I change my oil, I drain what I can from the transmission sump to add a little fresh tranny fluid on a regular basis and clean out the gunk.
hey that's a good idea. I think I'm gonna try that..
How do you know how much tranny fluid to put back in?
Do you measure what comes out? or add, check dipstick, add more ?
hey that's a good idea. I think I'm gonna try that..
How do you know how much tranny fluid to put back in?
Do you measure what comes out? or add, check dipstick, add more ?
I usually add a quart or two then, warm it up and top off using the dipstick.
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