Found This Oil Changing Idea, Looks Useful

Jun 14, 2010
2,095
Robertson & Caine 2017 Leopard 40 CT
Clever idea, but it will be messy if the receptacle goes sideways. Also, not very portable and requires nearby power. I typically do my oil changes on the mooring and use one of those vacuum pump extraction containers. Something like this (I use a different brand, but they all work the same):
 
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Looks safer than what I did. I used an old 12vdc fuel pump with tube to drain the oil in my dinghy outboard. It worked great but I think it was dangerous to do it that way. But it worked. Now to spend money on a dry vac. LOL
 
Feb 21, 2013
4,638
Hunter 46 Point Richmond, CA
Very clever and practical!!......However, I will stay with my 6.9 quart manual vacuum oil changer from West Marine since my oil capacity exceeds a standard 4 quart container I would place in the shop vacuum, it is equally quick and I can view the oil level in the container while vacuuming out the oil.

 
Feb 14, 2014
7,417
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Why don't they just do a double lined garbage bag inside the shop vac?

I have one of the WestMarine Oil changers, shown above.
Jim...
 
Jun 14, 2010
2,095
Robertson & Caine 2017 Leopard 40 CT
Why don't they just do a double lined garbage bag inside the shop vac?
Because you can take a sealed container by car to a recycle depot and it can be neatly handled and transferred into larger tanks. How do you transport and handle oil filled trash bags without leaks and spills? .
 
Feb 14, 2014
7,417
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
How do you transport and handle oil filled trash bags without leaks and spills?
You cut off the top of the big container that collapsed. Insert garbage oil fill bag and take it the same way.;)
I actually use my oil in specific legal spots that need it or take it to my landlubber oil change spot and they take it.
Jim...
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,395
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Why don't they just do a double lined garbage bag inside the shop vac?

I have one of the WestMarine Oil changers, shown above.
Jim...
I thought about that too, also add a bag of kitty litter to the shop-vac and eliminate almost any chance of a mess.
 
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Likes: JamesG161
Jan 1, 2006
7,062
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I had an older version of this and it worked great. Very easy to use. The pump creates suction and near the end you can move it around the crankcase to more fully empty the oil. Then the container goes to the recycling. No mess.
 
Dec 28, 2015
1,846
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
Done it a couple times with my ski boat before I bought a extractor. I got the idea from a medical suction unit.
 
Oct 2, 2008
3,807
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Time out. Before we get carried away, shop vacs aren’t intrinsically safe. There’s always one Darwin specialist who will eventually try sucking gas and get blown out of his garage. Don’t be like Dave.
 
Nov 22, 2011
1,192
Ericson 26-2 San Pedro, CA
Time out. Before we get carried away, shop vacs aren’t intrinsically safe. There’s always one Darwin specialist who will eventually try sucking gas and get blown out of his garage. Don’t be like Dave.
Didn't the video specifically warn against doing that?
 
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Likes: LloydB
Dec 28, 2015
1,846
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
Time out. Before we get carried away, shop vacs aren’t intrinsically safe. There’s always one Darwin specialist who will eventually try sucking gas and get blown out of his garage. Don’t be like Dave.
Thins the herd....
 
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Sailm8

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Feb 21, 2008
1,746
Hunter 29.5 Punta Gorda
I've been using this with a 2-liter coke bottle for collection. It's going on 3 years now with no problem.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,395
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Also considering using this method on our coach boat outboards.

Attach a funnel to the end instead of the hard plastic tube remove the drain plug hold the funnel under the drain and voila. Also for the foot oil attach the filler hose to the drain port of the foot and to the vacuum then remove the other plug no dripping oil at all. We've got six different boats to perfect this scheme on I'll report back in a few months on it's efficacy.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,395
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
I also have an old shop vac that the motor is dying on a 100' extension cord and some old gas.

Wanna bet if it'll light off? While probably not inherently dangerous it does border on colossally stupid. Would have made a superb Myth Busters segment.