Who's Done This? Shop Vac Oil Change.

[Lunentucker]

I've got another change coming up soon. I may give it a shot.

I've got a Fumoto but I didn't feel good about putting it on. It just looks like a point of failure risk that exceeds the benefit.

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[HankB]

A plumber did this to a nearly full 175 gallon home heating oil tank in our basement so he could change the filter housing. It worked like a charm. (He also removed and plugged the gauge and vent tube while using the vac.). He also added a shutoff valve between the tank and the new filter housing.

 

[Mr._Bill]

It works okay. The problem I see is there may be residue left in the pan that usually drains out the bottom.

 

[Lunentucker]

It works okay. The problem I see is there may be residue left in the pan that usually drains out the bottom.

I think you may be thinking they suck the oil out with the vacuum?
No. It just keeps the oil in the pan until you're ready to let it flow. Less mess.

 

[Dartboy]

I've heard of people using this trick to change the filters on the hydraulic system for a Kubota tractor without losing fluid. Not sure I'd bother doing it just to change a drain plug washer.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I think you may be thinking they suck the oil out with the vacuum?
No. It just keeps the oil in the pan until you're ready to let it flow. Less mess.

Yeah, the vac holds the oil in after you pull the plug, you then kill the vac.
Me, I put a large pan under it, pull the plug and let things fall where it may.
I then clean up what needs to be cleaned up.
If I had a buck for every oil change I've ever done - where at least some didn't go directly into a pan and not touch something else, I could buy a new heat pump LOL

 

[Jeepmonster]

I bought one of these several years ago. It is great. Back out the drain plug until loose enough to unscrew with fingers. Then use the tool to unscrew and remove the plug. Looks like the original OTC tool is discontinued or updated, but there are plenty of knock offs for about 10 bucks. Well worth the money for cleaner oil changes.
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[JT Thomas]

Really, who does this?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Really, who does this?

At least a few. This is not the first time it's been brought up as a way to change the drain plug, or drain plug gasket, etc.
I bet you can find at least one other thread on it in these forums.

 

[sharpsicle]

At least a few. This is not the first time it's been brought up as a way to change the drain plug, or drain plug gasket, etc.
I bet you can find at least one other thread on it in these forums.

Yeah this is what I've always used this for. To fix a problem. Regular oil change though? No real point. It's just adding unnecessary steps to an already simple process.

If you want a cleaner way to do regular changes, replace the drain plug with a Fumoto and call it a day.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I've got another change coming up soon. I may give it a shot.

I've got a Fumoto but I didn't feel good about putting it on. It just looks like a point of failure risk that exceeds the benefit.

I've had excellent experience with FUMO's. It makes an oil change quick and easy. For me, it's nice to be able to have a tube attached to the fumo, then directly into the used oil receptacle... no mess no fuss.

 

[HankB]

I've had excellent experience with FUMO's. It makes an oil change quick and easy. For me, it's nice to be able to have a tube attached to the fumo, then directly into the used oil receptacle... no mess no fuss.

We have a Reverso system on the boat. It not only sucks the oil out of both engines, but by flipping a switch will also pump new oil back into the engine. Considering each engine holds 20 liters of oil, it really makes a nasty job much easier.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

I tried out one of those pneumatic oil extractors for the first time on my last change. Easy enough to use. There was about a cup of oil left in the pan when I pulled the drain plug.

If I ran skids, I would go back to using fumoto or one of those new fancy ones with screw on release tubes.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I tried out one of those pneumatic oil extractors for the first time on my last change. Easy enough to use. There was about a cup of oil left in the pan when I pulled the drain plug.

If I ran skids, I would go back to using fumoto or one of those new fancy ones with screw on release tubes.

My problem with such oil evacuation systems is that the flow of the hot oil running out the drain helps to pull, purge, sediments, stuff that's settled to the bottom of the pan.

Apparently no one is used to getting oil running up past their elbow these days.
I use a large enough drain pan.........
I'm more concerned about the crap that stays in the engine than a bit of oil on me or the cardboard I sometimes place under my large drain pan.

When I look at some of the crap that's being sold and marketed as oil drain pans, no wonder some are concerned. Junk, too small, messy. Get a pan large enough for the job, not these things only the size of a 2 gallon jug.

I guess after 50 years of oil changes on everything from tractors to trucks to cars, motorcycles, whatever - I don't worry about "ooh, got oil on the floor, now what" or having to wipe my hand and arm off with a couple of shop rags.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

My problem with such oil evacuation systems is that the flow of the hot oil running out the drain helps to pull, purge, sediments, stuff that's settled to the bottom of the pan.

Apparently no one is used to getting oil running up past their elbow these days.
I use a large enough drain pan.........
I'm more concerned about the crap that stays in the engine than a bit of oil on me or the cardboard I sometimes place under my large drain pan.

When I look at some of the crap that's being sold and marketed as oil drain pans, no wonder some are concerned. Junk, too small, messy. Get a pan large enough for the job, not these things only the size of a 2 gallon jug.

I guess after 50 years of oil changes on everything from tractors to trucks to cars, motorcycles, whatever - I don't worry about "ooh, got oil on the floor, now what" or having to wipe my hand and arm off with a couple of shop rags.

it sucks it from the bottom. The tube goes all the way down.

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