Oil extractor pump - a warning

[MrLou]

I bought an oil extractor pump today to change oil on my ageing A3 TDI.

Seemed like a good idea and with over 4L of oil extracted in less time than it takes to make and drink a cuppa I was feeling pretty smug.

The pump is one of these and, IMO, has a design flaw. The oil suction tube is made of two pieces, one of larger diameter than the other (can you see where this is going?).

Most annoyingly when retracting the pipe only the large diameter pipe came out, the smaller one having come out and fallen down the dipstick pipe.

So, the car is now empty of oil with a length of poly pipe sitting in the sump. Great.

[Oilchange]

I got a Pella, one piece pipe, never had a problem. Doesn't help of course...

Good luck removing the other bit.

[chrisxr2]

Oh dear OP did'nt think that one through did we?

[john2443]

If you take the sump plug out (yes, I know that's what you were trying not to do) can you get a hook on a bit of wire and fish around to pull the pipe close enough to get it out - a bit of a faff, but easier than getting it back up through the dipstick hole or taking the sump off.

Sorry I can't come up with a better idea - do you know any gynaecologists? (sp?)

I though it was only me that got into scrapes like this.

Good luck

[tonys]

Can't say I've ever been tempted by these for draining the sump.

There was a thread recently about them; I'd still prefer to drain via the sump plug, until such time as my car doesn't have one. It might be quicker, and possibly less messy, but I remain to be convinced that it gets all of the oil etc. out. No doubt it's easier for the trade, but that's a different issue.

[B'stard Child]

I really don't get it*

• I get the poly pipe bit (look on the side of the sump for a level sensor that and a pick up grabber tool (old coat hanger with a hook made on the end is an alternative) should help you fish it out)

When all the rubbish in the sump is designed to end up by the plug at the lowest point you chose to suck it out from a random location using a tube and pump when it takes litteraly 30 secs to undo the sump plugh and drop the old oil into an old washing up bowl

How chuffing hard is it........

[rallycross]

Is it still in the dip stick feeder pipe? Welding rod with a kink in it get it out?

[MrLou]

chrisxr2 said:

Oh dear OP did'nt think that one through did we?

Never made a mistake Chris?

Anyway, FWIW, I'd do it again but only with a 1 piece extractor. I really can't see why they designed it with two pieces that just hold together by friction, intrinsically unsafe IMO.

[eliot]

rallycross said:

Is it still in the dip stick feeder pipe? Welding rod with a kink in it get it out?

Thats what I would do - metal coat hanger would do it too.

[lost in espace]

The undertray on my car is a right pain in the ass to remove, and the use of one of these can be a godsend. I must buy one......

[MrLou]

B'stard Child said:

I really don't get it*

• I get the poly pipe bit (look on the side of the sump for a level sensor that and a pick up grabber tool (old coat hanger with a hook made on the end is an alternative) should help you fish it out)

When all the rubbish in the sump is designed to end up by the plug at the lowest point you chose to suck it out from a random location using a tube and pump when it takes litteraly 30 secs to undo the sump plugh and drop the old oil into an old washing up bowl

How chuffing hard is it........

Yes, yes

I contest your 30 second claim though. By the time the car is lifted up on stands to allow access to the panel that allows access to the sump plug...

Ah well, at least it can be fixed with a bit of time and money, not the end of the world

[MrLou]

eliot said:

rallycross said:

Is it still in the dip stick feeder pipe? Welding rod with a kink in it get it out?

Thats what I would do - metal coat hanger would do it too.

No, sadly the pipe has now descended into the sump. I tried fishing it out with a bent coat hanger, nearly got the coat hanger stuck in there too

Sump off job now I fear.

[MrLou]

lost in espace said:

The undertray on my car is a right pain in the ass to remove, and the use of one of these can be a godsend. I must buy one......

Get one with a one-piece pipe

[GKP]

Why not just poke the dipstick down the hole, aiming to get inside the poly tube?

[Cyberprog]

You can buy quick-drain plugs for various vehicles, allowing you to just click the drain adaptor on and it opens up (think it has a spring operated valve).

[MrLou]

GKP said:

Why not just poke the dipstick down the hole, aiming to get inside the poly tube?

See above, pipe now lost in sump.

The typing of which made me think of this:

[Parrot of Doom]

My oil extractor's pipe is a long, single piece. There's no way anything could fall off.

[MrLou]

Cyberprog said:

You can buy quick-drain plugs for various vehicles, allowing you to just click the drain adaptor on and it opens up (think it has a spring operated valve).

True, but on my car the majority of the work is getting to the sump plug, still a good idea though.

I was sold on the quick and easy recovery of the oil into a nice closed container whist I drank a brew, I never saw the downsides :|

[MrLou]

Parrot of Doom said:

My oil extractor's pipe is a long, single piece. There's no way anything could fall off.

With hindsight, or even foresight, this is undoubtedly the way to go. Two piece pipes are for losers

[eliot]

MrLou said:

With hindsight, or even foresight, this is undoubtedly the way to go. Two piece pipes are for losers

Mines two piece and I dont understand how you could loose it and then not retrieve it with a bit of careful work. So I would suggest the product is not entirely to blame.