Draining Oil from the engine..

[JimFromMD]

Thanks Dennis,
I'll look for a hose that will go on it and try to figure out how to get that to snug down on one of my attachments. This is the pump I have (or similar with a different brand name on it possibly.) The attachments are all the same though.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I have a different brand of what you pictured there, Jim, but similar in design. I use it when I'm not at the shop (I get spoiled at the shop - we have a large, air-actuated vacuum pump - but it's big enough that it has to be on wheels). One of my translucent hoses (like in your picture) is a 3/8" OD so I just slide the 3/8" ID hose (from HD) right onto it until it's nice and snug - no clamp needed there. There's a good chance that yours are the same.

 

[JimFromMD]

I have a different brand of what you pictured there, Jim, but similar in design. I use it when I'm not at the shop (I get spoiled at the shop - we have a large, air-actuated vacuum pump - but it's big enough that it has to be on wheels). One of my translucent hoses (like in your picture) is a 3/8" OD so I just slide the 3/8" ID hose (from HD) right onto it until it's nice and snug - no clamp needed there. There's a good chance that yours are the same.

Thanks Dennis,
I really appreciate the info. Previously I had been putting the skinniest one down the dipstick tube but had to fold up a paper towel into a strip and wrap it aroudn the tube then pinch it to get a good suction going. Kind of a PITA!. This should work a lot easier.

By the way... I got new 4-bladed props to try out on my Bravo II drive and was googling how to change them since I never have before. Randomly clicked on a video that came from Peters Marine. I think it was you in the video too. Thanks for the lesson!

 

[ZZ13]

Thanks Dennis,
I'll look for a hose that will go on it and try to figure out how to get that to snug down on one of my attachments. This is the pump I have (or similar with a different brand name on it possibly.) The attachments are all the same though.

I have the same pump with a West Marine label on it. I use the big white tube pictured above. My kit came with all those same straws but also with a screw on adapter for the dipstick. That adapter has a 1/2" rubber neck on it. I just shoved the other end of that fat white tube into that rubber neck. Fits nice and snug. I can take a pic and post it if you'd like. Did yours not come with the screw on adapter for the dipstick?

 

[Gunn]

I have the Tempo unit which looks identical and came with the identical tubes. But like others have said, it also came with an adapter that fits direct to the dipstick.

If your dipstick has thread on it, I -believe- they are simple garden hose threads. So, go to Lowe's or other hardware store and get yourself a garden hose - to - barbed adapter to put onto the end of one of your tubes. It may take a bit more adapters than that to get everything to work, but...same idea. Try a female garden hose end and see if it threads on first to be sure I'm on the right track.

 

[JimFromMD]

I have the same pump with a West Marine label on it. I use the big white tube pictured above. My kit came with all those same straws but also with a screw on adapter for the dipstick. That adapter has a 1/2" rubber neck on it. I just shoved the other end of that fat white tube into that rubber neck. Fits nice and snug. I can take a pic and post it if you'd like. Did yours not come with the screw on adapter for the dipstick?

Sure that would be excellent to see what it looks like. I guess mine didnt come with the adapter because I bought it from a online car parts place for doing oil changes on my BMW before I sold it a long time ago. They have the oil filter mounted right up by the radiator... so I used to be lazy and change the paper filter cartridge and then alternate using that pump to suck the oil out every other change instead of crawling under to drain it from the pan every single time.

 

[JimFromMD]

I have the Tempo unit which looks identical and came with the identical tubes. But like others have said, it also came with an adapter that fits direct to the dipstick.

If your dipstick has thread on it, I -believe- they are simple garden hose threads. So, go to Lowe's or other hardware store and get yourself a garden hose - to - barbed adapter to put onto the end of one of your tubes. It may take a bit more adapters than that to get everything to work, but...same idea. Try a female garden hose end and see if it threads on first to be sure I'm on the right track.

Good idea on the barbed connection. With this idea and Bills future photo... I should be able to rig something up! This site and all the information comes in handy so many times.

 

[ZZ13]

Here's the magic fitting with the other end of the tube stuck into it:

 

[Aero Nautical]

I got the MityVac 7400 that did NOT come with the garden hose attachment. It was painful watching the dribble that come out after many many pumps; finally gave up once the oil cooled. The MityVac lists the big hose as 0.41" OD, so hopefully a 3/8" barb to garden hose will do the trick.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I got the MityVac 7400 that did NOT come with the garden hose attachment. It was painful watching the dribble that come out after many many pumps; finally gave up once the oil cooled. The MityVac lists the big hose as 0.41" OD, so hopefully a 3/8" barb to garden hose will do the trick.

I think the 7400 is what I have. I use it probably 15 times a season (winterizing) and it has worked flawlessly with the hose just shoved onto the dipstick tube. Not sure why it's not working well for you. I pump it 10 times and it gets about half the oil out and then I pump it a few more times.

 

[IanBat]

I would stick with sliding the tube down the dipstick tube. Fitting a hose over the dipstick tube will not drain all the oil out. You will be left with oil in the sump, which will discolour and contaminate the fresh oil.

The dipstick tube does not go to the bottom of the sump.

When you insert a tube through the dipstick tube, it wil go all the way to the bottom of the sump. Towards the end it will start to suck air bubbles and change noise, you can jiggle/twist the hose at that point to ensure you are at the bottom and have all the oil.

It is slower due to the fact that obviously you are using a smaller diameter hose, but is more efficient.


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[kevsgone]

If you are truly worried about the last bit of oil left in the pan with the dipstick extraction method, you can do what I do. Warm the engine might take longer than 20 min, might have to engage the trans to put a load on the engines to get them up to temp. After they reach temp, use your extraction pump and pull out everything you can. The add oil back to the engine and repeat. Then change the filter and add oil again. This allows the final bit to dilute with the new oil and then extract it all out again. Is this wasteful? YES. Does it make me feel better? Yes. but in the long run oil is one of the cheapest things I have on the boat and wasting a few quarts twice a year makes me feel better.

 

[320Bob]

Ok so I have the jabsco bike pump looking deal. Comes with several straws to go down the dipstick. Where does one get the tube that screws onto the dipstick port?

I too bought a Jabsco Porto Quick changer that came with the garden hose fitting which is required for my Volvo engine. The fitting was separate and clamped directly on the larger diameter hose that attaches directly to the unit. If you are using the small tube to insert down the oil tube then remov it and get a Nelson clamp on garden hose fitting at a hardware store. It's pretty simple to do.

 

[Gunn]

I would stick with sliding the tube down the dipstick tube. Fitting a hose over the dipstick tube will not drain all the oil out. You will be left with oil in the sump, which will discolour and contaminate the fresh oil.

The dipstick tube does not go to the bottom of the sump.

When you insert a tube through the dipstick tube, it wil go all the way to the bottom of the sump. Towards the end it will start to suck air bubbles and change noise, you can jiggle/twist the hose at that point to ensure you are at the bottom and have all the oil.

It is slower due to the fact that obviously you are using a smaller diameter hose, but is more efficient.


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How sure are you about this? I read in this very same thread that the best way is to thread onto the tube if you have the threads available, as the tube does indeed go to the very bottom.

In my case with my 4.3MPI's, I have tried (before I was forced to find that elusive adapter) but cannot get any of the size tubes that come with my Tempo unit down the steel tube. It has so many sharp bends in it, that it's impossible. But now I don't have to worry about it anyway. And like I mentioned, when I add new oil, I add what the spec calls for so I'm not leaving too much behind.

 

[IanBat]

How sure are you about this? I read in this very same thread that the best way is to thread onto the tube if you have the threads available, as the tube does indeed go to the very bottom.

In my case with my 4.3MPI's, I have tried (before I was forced to find that elusive adapter) but cannot get any of the size tubes that come with my Tempo unit down the steel tube. It has so many sharp bends in it, that it's impossible. But now I don't have to worry about it anyway. And like I mentioned, when I add new oil, I add what the spec calls for so I'm not leaving too much behind.

Only going on too many years as a mechanic and service manager, before my present business.

The workshop I ran as a Service Manager for 9 years, had 42 tradesmen on the shop floor, with another 28 around the state, and 10 field service vehicles. We also had an engine rebuild shop in that, common engines were, Cat 3208, Perkins 4 and 6 cylinder, GM.

But the tube down through the dipstick and feeling it touch the bottom, totally personal preference, from seeing so many sumps off.


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[Air O'Nautical]

Here is a pic of how the Mercruiser 7.4L (454) dipstick tubes are mounted.

The garden hose fitting on the top of the dipstick will get the most oil out because, the fitting is the lowest part of the oil sump.
The thin tube wont do any better with this set up.

Just make sure you know what set up your dealing with to properly do an oil change.
Many boats are different.

 

[IanBat]

Here is a pic of how the Mercruiser 7.4L (454) dipstick tubes are mounted.

The garden hose fitting on the top of the dipstick will get the most oil out because, the fitting is the lowest part of the oil sump.
The thin tube wont do any better with this set up.

Just make sure you know what set up your dealing with to properly do an oil change.
Many boats are different.

You won't get any lower than that.


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[Woody]

I’ve wondered about using the threaded dipstick tube for draining oil. I drain from the pan drain hose so never went any farther looking into it. In an auto there is no need for the tube to go so low, it is the dip stick itself that tells you the level of the oil and if you want to drain you can access the pan drain plug.

I searched around and guess what…for many years now Mercruiser dipstick tubes are designed for both checking oil levels, and oil removal. They do indeed go close enough to the bottom of the pan. That's easy enough to verify by comparing amount of oil drained to that added. I suppose these oil extraction pumps are used on so many brand and age engines that’s why they come with the extra tubes and stuff.

 

[AKBASSKING]

All good comments here.

Sucking the oil from the dipstick tube will not remove all the oil. You will always have a little left over. When I do mine, it leaves about a 1/4 of a quart in the pan. If I pull the engines, I will be installing an oil change kit.

 

[dpmulvey]

I thought the same thing. I can't even find drain plugs on the engines. I'm not going to worry about 4 ounces of oil over 5-6 quarts.