Using a vacuum pump to change the oil.

[Northernchimp]

Apologies, not the most exciting topic ever, but are there any major downsides to doing this vs. dropping it in the conventional manner?

Is the sump plug a consumable part, or as long as I'm getting all the dirty old oil out, does it not really matter?

[Northernchimp]

Thanks. I used a hand operated pump earlier, looks a bit like a bong. Took longer to take the engine cover off than it did to change the oil and filter. We're talking 5k changes on a rattly old diesel so not risking much, and it worked really well. Just feels a bit like I'm cheating and the plug will eventually perish and fall out.