oil extractor?

[garz747]

Just wondering if any forum members with the S54 engine have had success with a vacuum type oil extractor. Id like to do this before storage and do have one but it was a pita on my wifes Merc...

[grannyknot]

Well you can't go through the oil filler hole, you might be able to go through the dipstick tube if your hose is thin enough or if you remove the intake air box you would have easy access to the nut hold the dipstick tube in place.

[XMetal]

I use a Mityvac and it takes about 45minutes to extract that thick 10W60. I usually just start it and go do something else and just come back every 15 minutes or so to add more vacuum if needed. Been using it on the MC for the past 11 years. I also use it on my e53 X5 as well as my wife's Audi S3. Since all 3 cars have their filters up top, I haven't been under a car for an oil change for the last 14 years.

[kaybat]

Love mine. You won't get all the oil out, but close.was talking to a guy at a C&C, he jacks the car up on opposite side, says he gets a little more out.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by kaybat

Love mine. You won't get all the oil out, but close.was talking to a guy at a C&C, he jacks the car up on opposite side, says he gets a little more out.

I guessed it depends on the car. I first start using it on my e53 X5 and did an experiment. I had vacuum all the oil out using the Mityvac and then went under to drain it from the plug. To my surprise, nothing came out of the plug. I had to jack the car from the opposite side of the plug to get a dribble out of the plug. That confirmed it for me that it was good enough to use the suction method and I have been using it since.

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by garz747

Just wondering if any forum members with the S54 engine have had success with a vacuum type oil extractor. Id like to do this before storage and do have one but it was a pita on my wifes Merc...

So you want to keep the oil sump empty during storage? Or simply wanting to use a different method of oil change?

[garz747]

i would never leave the sump empty.... I was just wondering if the extractor method was workable on this engine. After doing the job this AM I would say a resounding yes! I was able to vacuum 99% of the old oil.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by XMetal

I use a Mityvac and it takes about 45minutes to extract that thick 10W60. I usually just start it and go do something else and just come back every 15 minutes or so to add more vacuum if needed. Been using it on the MC for the past 11 years. I also use it on my e53 X5 as well as my wife's Audi S3. Since all 3 cars have their filters up top, I haven't been under a car for an oil change for the last 14 years.

How are you getting the suction hose into the oil pan?

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

How are you getting the suction hose into the oil pan?

Through the dipstick tube

[polar]

Make sure the engine oil is fully up in temp before extraction, then it only takes 25 min (depending on the suction device of course ).
The extractor is also perfect for vacuuming the small amount of oil left in the filter housing.

[garz747]

Yes, took her for a nice late fall run (6C) and fully warmed up before servicing. Worked well.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by polar

Make sure the engine oil is fully up in temp before extraction, then it only takes 25 min (depending on the suction device of course ).
The extractor is also perfect for vacuuming the small amount of oil left in the filter housing.

I'm OK with the longer extraction time with cold oil since I can get a bit more oil out after letting the car sit overnight. The difference between hot/cold could be 1/2 liter or more. For example, if you look at your dipstick after 5-10 minutes of shutting off your engine, it may read somewhere in the middle. Then read your dipstick again after letting the car sit overnight and the dipstick would read full or even slightly over. Besides, I would rather not deal with hot oil and hot filter.

[grannyknot]

This has nothing to do with an extractor but is about draining your oil.
11% or about 600ml of your oil sits in the front sump that collects the run off from the timing chain/gears, it has it's own pickup tube that sends the oil to the main sump.
The oil in the front sump doesn't drain when you change the oil but gets diluted into the 5-6 litres of fresh oil and every oil change is like that.

I got it in my head that I wanted to drain that oil each time so while I had the oil pan off for the rebuild I located the thickest part of the cast aluminum wall in that front sump, drilled, tapped and installed a removable drain plug.
The wall in that location is 10mm thick so lots of meat there for threads.

Is it necessary? Absolutely not but I can fool myself into thinking my oil analysis is 11% more accurate

[kenethcox]

Yes, forum members with the S54 engine have reported success using a vacuum-type oil extractor for oil extraction prior to storage. However, some have found it challenging, reminiscent of their experience with a similar process on their wife's Mercedes. Utilizing a vacuum-type oil extractor, such as a cannabis oil extraction machine, can streamline the process and potentially alleviate the difficulties encountered with traditional methods.