How thorough is the Mityvac for oil changes?
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 134
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From: New Hampshire
C 32 AMG & FG2 Civic Si
How thorough is the Mityvac for oil changes?
Hi guys, I've only had my C32 for about 6 months and it's been babied it's whole life. I plan to do oil changes around 3 times a year.
I used the Mityvac fluid evacuator last time by sticking the tube into the dipstick hole and sucking all of the oil up that way but I couldn't help but feel like it was leaving a lot of the tiny particles behind, at the bottom. Am I crazy? Wouldn't the most harmful particles in the oil be found closer to the bottom? Or is using a Mityvac just as thorough of an oil change as a conventional oil change through the drain plug?
Any comments are appreciated!
I used the Mityvac fluid evacuator last time by sticking the tube into the dipstick hole and sucking all of the oil up that way but I couldn't help but feel like it was leaving a lot of the tiny particles behind, at the bottom. Am I crazy? Wouldn't the most harmful particles in the oil be found closer to the bottom? Or is using a Mityvac just as thorough of an oil change as a conventional oil change through the drain plug?
Any comments are appreciated!
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
I use a similar device, a Top Sider, to vacuum the oil from the sump. I've heard both sides of the vacuum/drain argument and I can tell you what I personally have seen -
I personally changed an oil pressure relief valve some time back. That involves vacuuming the oil, dropping the pan, R&R'g the oil pump, etc. I used my Top Sider and vacuumed the pan. Then I dropped the pan. There was no oil to speak of in that pan. There were no particles to speak of in that pan. Having rebuilt several engines in the past, I know what I'm looking for when it comes to crap in a pan. BTW, if there are particles and/or dirt in a pan, the oil filter isn't doing it's job.
Now, this was in a W208 with a V8. Other chassis use different pans so there may be some differences. I highly doubt it, but it could be.
But wait there's more. An M113 holds 8+ quarts of oil. With the pan bone dry there is still a lot of oil left in the heads, clinging to rods, and sitting in the cooler. If you're adding close to 8 quarts during an oil change, what's leftover really doesn't matter.
I personally changed an oil pressure relief valve some time back. That involves vacuuming the oil, dropping the pan, R&R'g the oil pump, etc. I used my Top Sider and vacuumed the pan. Then I dropped the pan. There was no oil to speak of in that pan. There were no particles to speak of in that pan. Having rebuilt several engines in the past, I know what I'm looking for when it comes to crap in a pan. BTW, if there are particles and/or dirt in a pan, the oil filter isn't doing it's job.
Now, this was in a W208 with a V8. Other chassis use different pans so there may be some differences. I highly doubt it, but it could be.
But wait there's more. An M113 holds 8+ quarts of oil. With the pan bone dry there is still a lot of oil left in the heads, clinging to rods, and sitting in the cooler. If you're adding close to 8 quarts during an oil change, what's leftover really doesn't matter.
Last edited by MarcusF; Jul 21, 2014 at 08:18 PM.
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
I've used my Mityvac, exclusively, for about 5 years now. I have not had a single issue with the engine and I have no doubts that I am getting as much oil out as I would with the drain plug. (well, maybe a couple of ounces)
If you are using Mobile 1, the oil should be dark but clean when extracted.
If you are using Mobile 1, the oil should be dark but clean when extracted.
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
I work for a Mercedes Benz dealership and whenever possible we always vacuum out the oil. Some engines you can't vacuum, like for example any W166 diesel engine cannot be vacuumed out.. some smart cars are vacuum only, there is no drain plug..
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From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
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From: New Zealand
I was wondering because if you do a fluid change (rather than a full flush) it would make it much easier to tell roughly how much to put back in before doing the whole IR temperature gun and dipstick measurements. My extractor has the volume markings rather than- collecting it in a pan, spilling some (I know I would) and transferring it to something else to measure (while spilling more). I would certainly drop the pan, change filter, clean magnet and use a new gasket etc.
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