Nizmo
New member
So coming up on 3 years, 21K miles, and the 5th oil change for the GTI I decided to do something different. My trusty Rhino ramps are ever so slightly too tall for the car, and is always a struggle to get it on the ramps. Decided enough was enough and went to the nearest Harbor Freight and picked up an oil extractor unit (this one: Click). I know what you`re thinking, you bought an extractor from HF? Yup, but it is the better version of this style. The fittings are easily obtainable push fit and seem to be of good quality. The rest of the unit seems to be of decent materials, so we`ll see in the long run.
Had to wait a couple extra days waiting on my oil change kit I decided to get along with a new set of wipers (way cheaper to get online). My usual Castrol Edge 0w40 Euro is getting hard to source and the dealer I buy the filter from has changed ownership and the parts department has gotten, to be blunt, idiotic. Not really brand loyal, but the Edge was the easiest to get locally and had good specs. Think I`m going with the mail order route from now on as it was too convenient to get it shipped to my door.
Anyways, warmed the car up for about 10 minutes, pulled the dipstick, put the extraction tube down the tube, and started pumping up the extractor. After about 30 seconds the oil started flowing, a little slow, but it was working. Meanwhile since the filter is on top I proceeded to change it waiting for the oil to be done extracting.
The setup:
Yes, I know the car is a little dirty. Rural PA roads this time of year are plastered with mud from all the farms.
Extraction took about 20 minutes. Next time I`ll probably take the car on a short drive to warm up the oil a little more. It was barely warm to the touch and a 40wt is definitely thick trying to extract it from a small tube. Overall the process was much easier and cleaner. Extracted about 5.75 liters of an almost 6 liter sump, so not bad actually. Filled it up and was ready to go another 5K miles! The evacuation setting on the unit was super nice to put the used oil into my collection bucket, no mess at all!
The Tacoma has its oil filter on top as well so here in a couple months I`ll try it on it. The SLK is the same way.
Had to wait a couple extra days waiting on my oil change kit I decided to get along with a new set of wipers (way cheaper to get online). My usual Castrol Edge 0w40 Euro is getting hard to source and the dealer I buy the filter from has changed ownership and the parts department has gotten, to be blunt, idiotic. Not really brand loyal, but the Edge was the easiest to get locally and had good specs. Think I`m going with the mail order route from now on as it was too convenient to get it shipped to my door.
Anyways, warmed the car up for about 10 minutes, pulled the dipstick, put the extraction tube down the tube, and started pumping up the extractor. After about 30 seconds the oil started flowing, a little slow, but it was working. Meanwhile since the filter is on top I proceeded to change it waiting for the oil to be done extracting.
The setup:
Yes, I know the car is a little dirty. Rural PA roads this time of year are plastered with mud from all the farms.
Extraction took about 20 minutes. Next time I`ll probably take the car on a short drive to warm up the oil a little more. It was barely warm to the touch and a 40wt is definitely thick trying to extract it from a small tube. Overall the process was much easier and cleaner. Extracted about 5.75 liters of an almost 6 liter sump, so not bad actually. Filled it up and was ready to go another 5K miles! The evacuation setting on the unit was super nice to put the used oil into my collection bucket, no mess at all!
The Tacoma has its oil filter on top as well so here in a couple months I`ll try it on it. The SLK is the same way.
Glad it works for you
BUT none of mine have filters that`re easily accessed from the top...sigh..no free lunch for me.
I`d use it a lot more if not for that....
It came from Griot`s but is v1.0 of the "bigname one" that`s advertised all the time...Mitey Vac maybe? It`s just not coming to me 
I tried contacting all the usual suspects but no joy on a replacement handle; I suspect they`d rather sell me a whole new one.