Anyone have a favorite pump for changing oil??? I first tried the little brass pump sold at Wal-mart the tubing kept sliding out and making a mess. Then I tried the little pump that attaches to a hand drill. Another mess the oil was too viscous and the pump sucked it out wa too slow. I am looking at a battery powered pump by C.E.Smith sold at Boatersworld and elsewhere. Anyone have a favorite way to change a diesel's oil?? Tom
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Oil Boy Worked Well
Just changed the oil the first time in a new-to-me diesel last month. I used the Oil Boy - bought it from West Marine. My buddy - who works on cars all the time - was very skeptical. But even he was amazed at how well it worked. You have to pump it yourself -- but it's not tough. It contained all the oil with very little mess. Much simpler, easier and cleaner than I had hoped for. Good luck.
Just changed the oil the first time in a new-to-me diesel last month. I used the Oil Boy - bought it from West Marine. My buddy - who works on cars all the time - was very skeptical. But even he was amazed at how well it worked. You have to pump it yourself -- but it's not tough. It contained all the oil with very little mess. Much simpler, easier and cleaner than I had hoped for. Good luck.
Better yet
Keep the little brass pump but go to the hardware store for a brass tube to replace the hose. Cut it down to size and it will provide rigidity while sucking all the oil better than the hose does. No mess, comparatively.
Keep the little brass pump but go to the hardware store for a brass tube to replace the hose. Cut it down to size and it will provide rigidity while sucking all the oil better than the hose does. No mess, comparatively.
Used Drill Pump for Years
Really like the (cordless) drill pump system - used it for years. May I suggest you try it again but this time with the engine hot and you'll have much better success. Only takes a minute or two when the oil is warm. For the Yanmar I use a copper tube to go down the dipstick hole and then switch to clear plastic tubing between it and the pump and from the pump to the used oil container. For the copper tube, use the largest size that will fit down the dipstick hole as this allows the pickup to be on the bottom of the oil pan and reduces head loss. The clear plastic allows you to see what's hapening. For used oil containers I use the gallon-size Delo oil containers that the original oil came in. Make sure that the hose that goes into the container stays in the container while pumping. To prevent mix-ups you can mark the container with a few inches of masking tape that it is "USED" or "OLD" so as not to confuse with the new oil containers. Take oil and container to a recycling location - this disposes of two items. Our home garbage collection will not accept used oil containers. After allowing the oil to drain, I keep the drill pump with hoses in a heavy plastic bag and wrap the ends of the tubes with the "environmental cloths" that you get at the fuel dock.
Really like the (cordless) drill pump system - used it for years. May I suggest you try it again but this time with the engine hot and you'll have much better success. Only takes a minute or two when the oil is warm. For the Yanmar I use a copper tube to go down the dipstick hole and then switch to clear plastic tubing between it and the pump and from the pump to the used oil container. For the copper tube, use the largest size that will fit down the dipstick hole as this allows the pickup to be on the bottom of the oil pan and reduces head loss. The clear plastic allows you to see what's hapening. For used oil containers I use the gallon-size Delo oil containers that the original oil came in. Make sure that the hose that goes into the container stays in the container while pumping. To prevent mix-ups you can mark the container with a few inches of masking tape that it is "USED" or "OLD" so as not to confuse with the new oil containers. Take oil and container to a recycling location - this disposes of two items. Our home garbage collection will not accept used oil containers. After allowing the oil to drain, I keep the drill pump with hoses in a heavy plastic bag and wrap the ends of the tubes with the "environmental cloths" that you get at the fuel dock.
Top Sider
from West Marine. Got it on sale last year and really like it. Pump it up about 30 to 40 strokes and let it go. Had a brass pump, looked something like an old extinguisher, that leaked like crazy, then tried the drill pump, could not hear when it quit sucking oil and started to suck air. In my opinion, any pump similar to the Top Sider or Oil Boy is best. These free both hands so you can move the tube around in the pan.
from West Marine. Got it on sale last year and really like it. Pump it up about 30 to 40 strokes and let it go. Had a brass pump, looked something like an old extinguisher, that leaked like crazy, then tried the drill pump, could not hear when it quit sucking oil and started to suck air. In my opinion, any pump similar to the Top Sider or Oil Boy is best. These free both hands so you can move the tube around in the pan.
Many different ways
Try this: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2923.0 from the C34 Website Message Board
Try this: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2923.0 from the C34 Website Message Board
Oil vacuum
At the lodge where I work I use an oil vacuum to change oil on 4 Volvo in-boards. If the oil is warm( idle speed temp) it draws 10 or lts in about 15 minutes. This is a little slow but I don't have to pay any attention to it while I change filters and whatever else. It stops drawing when full so no overflow and has about 8 lts capacity and has a small variety of hoses and fitting when new. Product is a TEMPO oil vacuum, model #OB5, part #170200. Not sure where you might find it in your area. With the Volvo's that we have here, the dipstick tube extends into the oil pan, almost to the bottom and with the correct rubber adapter works as the suction tube, which is better than the smaller plastic tube that goes inside. Bigger tube faster transfer. But definitely only works well with warm or even hot oil. MG
At the lodge where I work I use an oil vacuum to change oil on 4 Volvo in-boards. If the oil is warm( idle speed temp) it draws 10 or lts in about 15 minutes. This is a little slow but I don't have to pay any attention to it while I change filters and whatever else. It stops drawing when full so no overflow and has about 8 lts capacity and has a small variety of hoses and fitting when new. Product is a TEMPO oil vacuum, model #OB5, part #170200. Not sure where you might find it in your area. With the Volvo's that we have here, the dipstick tube extends into the oil pan, almost to the bottom and with the correct rubber adapter works as the suction tube, which is better than the smaller plastic tube that goes inside. Bigger tube faster transfer. But definitely only works well with warm or even hot oil. MG
Shurflo
Myself and a buddy split the cost of one of these,simple and easy and throw a switch and it pumps the old oil out and into smaller containers, no funnels, no mess It is exspensive but if you split the cost its not bad BTW I've tried a bunch of different pumps and this is the best
Myself and a buddy split the cost of one of these,simple and easy and throw a switch and it pumps the old oil out and into smaller containers, no funnels, no mess It is exspensive but if you split the cost its not bad BTW I've tried a bunch of different pumps and this is the best
I hate to say this. West Marine 
That vacuum pump mentioned by Glenn is great. They sell two models if I recall correctly. I bought the small one. And they were having a secret sale only for their 'Advantage' customers. And for their extra special Advantage customers they provided a chit that obtained anything they sell for the employee sale price. That was me. The oil pump was $14.00. Regularly $49.00. Talk about mark-up. Be sure to also use their price matching sales feature, if they're not having a sale. Anyway, back to oil changes. With my 3GM30F the plastic dipstick tube is a good thing. The oil pump pickup is right under the dipstick on my engine. A strait brass pipe can't reach the bottom of the pan. I found that out when I rebuilt the engine. So the curve in the plastic pick-up is easy to use and finds the bottom-most part of the pan. Oh, the WM pump also works well for cleaning other spills too. And for storing old oil in the dock box. And for taking it to the recycle station. And sucking the antifreeze from the port side of my Camaro's 427 engine. And,,,. OK, I'll stop.
That vacuum pump mentioned by Glenn is great. They sell two models if I recall correctly. I bought the small one. And they were having a secret sale only for their 'Advantage' customers. And for their extra special Advantage customers they provided a chit that obtained anything they sell for the employee sale price. That was me. The oil pump was $14.00. Regularly $49.00. Talk about mark-up. Be sure to also use their price matching sales feature, if they're not having a sale. Anyway, back to oil changes. With my 3GM30F the plastic dipstick tube is a good thing. The oil pump pickup is right under the dipstick on my engine. A strait brass pipe can't reach the bottom of the pan. I found that out when I rebuilt the engine. So the curve in the plastic pick-up is easy to use and finds the bottom-most part of the pan. Oh, the WM pump also works well for cleaning other spills too. And for storing old oil in the dock box. And for taking it to the recycle station. And sucking the antifreeze from the port side of my Camaro's 427 engine. And,,,. OK, I'll stop.
My vote is for the Topsider as well
Pump it up. Let it suck. No fuss no mess. When youre done bring it home, funnel the oil into a spare container, drop it off for recycle. Neat and clean.
Pump it up. Let it suck. No fuss no mess. When youre done bring it home, funnel the oil into a spare container, drop it off for recycle. Neat and clean.
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