Top side oil extractor

[inTgr8r]

Is anyone using a top side extractor for oil changes?
I'm considering a Mittyvac unit & looking for some feedback first.

[Caddyshk]

[F360C]

I have heard nothing but good things about the mittyvac. Alot of guys over at bimmerfest seem to use them. I was going to buy one but with the lift it makes changing the oil so easy that I don't see the need for one yet. I just let the car sit on the lift for 1 or 2 days to let the oil drain out.

[pokeybritches]

I just ordered the Mityvac MV7400 (7.3 liter capacity). I'll post a review in the next few weeks.

[3002 tii]

used on my vw previously, worked great. only benefit i see to letting gravity do its thing the traditional way is being able to utilize a magnetic drain plug to get out any shavings.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by F360C

I have heard nothing but good things about the mittyvac. Alot of guys over at bimmerfest seem to use them. I was going to buy one but with the lift it makes changing the oil so easy that I don't see the need for one yet. I just let the car sit on the lift for 1 or 2 days to let the oil drain out.

Same hear.....
They're not much coin, but unless it does a better job that gravity it seems unnecessary.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

I just ordered the Mityvac MV7400 (7.3 liter capacity). I'll post a review in the next few weeks.

IIRC that's the compressed air model, great choice!

[onebluemcm]

I'm not sure it's going to do significantly better than stock - the problem is the front part of the oil pan that holds old oil - there is next to no way to get the oil out of there. See pic, or the underside of your engine.

Well, there are two options, have the front end way up in the air relative to the back end or install a second drain plug in the forward part of the pan - yes, both bad options. I don't see how it would be possible to get any top side pump tube directed into the forward part of the pan. Honestly, the best way to get the most old oil out of this engine is probably to begin with the front end elevated as much as is reasonably safe or achievable, then after most of it has run out, raise the back end so it's level to clear out the rearward part of the pan.

The way I see it, doing a regular, car-leveled, gravity drained oil change, there may be a few milliters of oil left in the rear side of the pan. The front side may still hold 6-8 ounces - still not much, but far more than what would be left in the rear section of the pan. No matter what we do, there is always going to be dirty oil left behind. Even if not a lot of cabbage, I'd hang onto the money for a top side pump, invest in good ramps. For me, doing a regular oil change gets me under the car to inspect things too.....

[Caddyshk]

I've used it once on the M so far; 5.5L in and took 5.5L out using the Mityvac. I plan on using it every second change.

[pokeybritches]

Mityvac 7400 quick review: Works as advertised.

Drive the car and warm up the engine to ~160 degrees (175 degrees is the max fluid temp for the Mityvac). Park on a level surface and shut off the car. Attach the hoses together and insert them into the dipstick tube. Give the Mityvac a few pumps and the oil will start flowing. Give it another pump every few minutes. You can even change the filter while you're waiting, although I'd wait until the end of the oil change to bolt the cover back on; I covered it in oil prior to putting the replacing the cover. Once the oil is drained, run the container by Autozone. Pick up some engine degreaser while you're there to clean up the Mityvac and hoses. Done.

I'd give this method a 9/10 and the product quality a 9.5/10. 9 because of the cleaning at the end, and my only complaint with the product quality is in the design of the top. It requires you to remove 8 nuts and bolts, taking about 5 minutes to remove or replace if you do it by hand. It's solid, and I certainly prefer a container that won't bust open, but it's a bit of a pain to remove and replace the top each time you want to clean it out.

Overall, I'm very happy with the product and would certainly buy it again. It's great in the winter when you don't want to lie down on the cold ground and get your coat dirty on the garage floor. It would also be useful for those that live in an apartment complex and don't have a large area to jack up and work on their cars. The old oil is easily disposed of because it's already in a transportable container with a top and spout. There was no mess. And, the Mityvac isn't a one trick pony. It can be used to remove all kinds of other auto fluids. Very satisfied.

[Caddyshk]

Mine has a rubber drain plug. I just dump in varsol after I've extracted the oil into a disposal container, swish it around a bit and pour into the disposal container.

[Z4-VILLA]

i prefer gravity, top down is safe and sound

[SCHMOUPE]

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

I'm not sure it's going to do significantly better than stock - the problem is the front part of the oil pan that holds old oil - there is next to no way to get the oil out of there. See pic, or the underside of your engine.

Well, there are two options, have the front end way up in the air relative to the back end or install a second drain plug in the forward part of the pan - yes, both bad options. I don't see how it would be possible to get any top side pump tube directed into the forward part of the pan. Honestly, the best way to get the most old oil out of this engine is probably to begin with the front end elevated as much as is reasonably safe or achievable, then after most of it has run out, raise the back end so it's level to clear out the rearward part of the pan.

The way I see it, doing a regular, car-leveled, gravity drained oil change, there may be a few milliters of oil left in the rear side of the pan. The front side may still hold 6-8 ounces - still not much, but far more than what would be left in the rear section of the pan. No matter what we do, there is always going to be dirty oil left behind. Even if not a lot of cabbage, I'd hang onto the money for a top side pump, invest in good ramps. For me, doing a regular oil change gets me under the car to inspect things too.....

Won't most people change the oil with the front jacked up? (unless they have a car lift) In that case, with the front up in the air 10-12 inches, according to this, all the oil should come out of the drain plug. correct?

[onebluemcm]

^
Yeah, you're right, most of the time the front end is up in the air anyway. Since the drain hole is not at the far back edge of the pan, with the front end up there will be some pooling in the back of the pan. Not that it's realistic, but the optimal way to get as much as possible out would probably be to initially drain it with the front end up, then once there is a trickle raise the back end so it's level to clear the rear portion of the pan. Realistically though, if a few mls are left behind, it's not going to make a big difference - that small amount will quickly get diluted and filtered out with the new filter. There's getting every last drop out, and then there's getting a realistic amount out - the difference is probably nil.

I still just think that using an extractor with the car sitting level will probably leave a lot of oil in the front part of the pan. Raise the front end up and use an extractor, sure that might work better.

[Rustycat]

I've used it now for several changes. Makes changing the oil a pleasure, and if the calibration on the scale of the container is accurate, it gets most of the oil out, with modest exception. I highly recommend it.
And, I've seen crossthreaded drain plugs on a number of cars over the years, with this little beauty, that is a worry that you don't have to endure.
Highly recommend it.

[Z4-VILLA]

id rather do it the old way, seems like its great but something doesnt feel right about topside changing......

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by Z4-Villalona

id rather do it the old way, seems like its great but something doesnt feel right about topside changing......

Tell it to Mercedes