350gunner

Asking as I just bought filters etc. for a change of oil and didn't see a copper washer for the drain plug. The vehicle in question is a 2014 GL350. Do I need to source a copper washer or is there none on this MB model?

kajtek1

MB recommends topside extraction. Why would you mess with the plug?
Last time I check, it does have copper washer, but it is reusable. When you notice lot of scratches- just sand it.

Diabolis

Suck the oil out though the dipstick tube as per Merc's recommendation. The difference between letting the sump completely drain through the drain plug (with warm oil) vs. sucking it out is about 40mL, which is insignificant so you're not leaving any dirty oil behind.

Personally I would never reuse a crush washer if you actually have to remove the drain bolt - they are single-use items by definition and at less than $1 simply not worth the risk - but if you suck the oil out through the dipstick tube you'll never have to worry about it plus it is a lot easier.

350gunner

I haven’t used an evacuator before, and I also haven’t changed the oil on this vehicle myself before. Any tips on what would be a good evacuator style to use?

Jpkcpa

I am a late adopter to most things. I was always intrigued by the evacuator method but hesitant. Eventually I got comfortable. I even climbed under the vehicle and removed the plug expecting some amount to be in the pan. Not even a drop of oil came out. My only concern is if some dirt remains in the bottom of the pan but I guess I can do the old method once a year to alleviate that worry. In any event, I’m a fan of dipstick method now. The brand I have is extoil but I would imagine there are similar brands equally as good (or better?). Now it is a simple task. Just make sure you insert the tube until it bottoms out. Takes some wiggling but I know I’m good when the first segment of tubing is barely above the dipstick tube. That gives me just enough space to attach the second segment. That’s the hardest part of the process!! Now it is simple activity to change oil every 5,000 miles.

Diabolis

You neither need nor want to insert a tube as it can't actually reach the bottom (on some 4Matic models there is a kink in the dipstick tube where the driveshaft goes past the sump that you can't get past). Furthermore, Mercedes specifically says they don't recommend you stick any hoses down the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube itself is designed for oil extraction and goes all the way to the bottom of the sump (which has a small depression to accommodate the end of the tube in order to get all the oil out). Removing the drain plug actually leaves some oil in this depression that is unable to drain as it is lower than the drain bolt. Just get the proper adapter for the top of the dipstick tube - they're even available on eBay. For as long as you have a good seal, you will get all of the oil out without inserting anything down the dipstick tube itself.

GoodByeHonda

What does this proper adapter for the top of the OM642's dipstick tube look like? Can't sem to locate one on eBay. Seems like a desirable oil change option for seniors like myself 🙄

Quint22

thats what i got to do mine, havnt used it yet. Pretty sure they got adaptors somewhere also. If ya shop amazon

Diabolis

It's a plastic plug with two O-rings and a hole down the middle for the oil extractor hose. I'm pretty sure I saw them on eBay a while back, but anything that will form an air tight seal against the top of the dipstick tube will work just fine.

kajtek1

When I had 1 of those hand extractors, I was able to use the biggest tubing it come with inside funnel-shaped end of dipstick tube.
The tubing was soft, so with some pressure it would seal the connection.
Not most comfortable to hold the tubing with 1 hand and pump with other, but doable.
Than, since 1 of the friends borrow my hand extractor, I bought 12V pump for the job. Slow , but I do other things around when it is pumping.

virgisr

Yes it does use it. Usually if you buy an oil replacement kit, the washer gets attached to filter box outside with sellotape. Thats what i usually get.

GoodByeHonda

🤔 you could probably make a nice one out of a stock OM642 dip stick.

virgisr

Or just buy one on ebay for a few quid/bucks.

Diabolis

Here you go:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Dow-AD...r/401598155611

virgisr

The question is about copper washer to be replaced on oil drain plug/screw after draining oil and refitting the plug/screw. Answer yes there is a copped washer to be replaced.
Dont see how the above link relates to the question?

Diabolis

It does in that the Mercedes specified oil change method does not involve taking off the drain bolt where said washer would go. But yes, if you do decide to do things the wrong way, there IS a copper crush washer between the drain bolt and the pan.

virgisr

would not agree with that. The dis stick tube does not go all way down. At least not on my merc. Some time ago, when I was toying with extracting oil through it, out of interest removed dip stick tube to see how deep it goes, it penetrates probably 20mm past rubber seal. So i had to dip a hose all way into the sump to extract all oil. Still had to open plug, to remove remaining amount, not much maybe 50ml.

engine on mine is OM642

virgisr

my app on the phone did not show other messaging, just the first question. I did not see the extraction from top discussion. understood why this link is on

Diabolis

It depends on the model. On some models the end of the tube is actually placed in an indent in the oil pan that is lower than the drain bolt, so draining the oil through the bolt leaves more oil in the sump than sucking it out through the dipstick tube. On mine (2015 production OM642) and the six Sprinters we have it goes to the bottom but there is no indent in the pan, so as you noticed yourself, it leaves about 40mL of oil (we've measured this with a beaker) - or just under 2.5 tablespoons or 1.5 oz - which is insignificant.

350gunner

I would agree, that old oil will get diluted and the new filter should pick up any crap that's floating in it. Of course, you could add a clean quart in and then re-evacuate the quart of oil now mixed with that little bit of residual -- if you want to go crazy but not take the bolt off the pan -- but that seems excessive.

kajtek1

I removed oil pan on OM603 engine at dipsticks tube ended about 2 mm from the bottom, while being placed in the corner, with some car shimming would allow gargling the oil down to about 2 teaspoons.
Oil drain on other hand was placed horizontally 1/2 way on the side, what had to leave several tablespoons of oil
This is still hair-splitting comparing to 1/2 to full cup of oil trapped in upper engine parts.
Some engines, like Powerstrokes make oil changes leaving 2 liters of oil in fuel pump and they don't make special intervals for it.

Mawk1

I use this extractor:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22502642007...gaAjyWEALw_wcB

It uses a plastic tube that inserts into the dipstick tube for extraction, rather than forming a seal with the dipstick tube itself, as some extractors do. I like the price (less than half of what most similar capacity plastic extractors cost) and the rugged all-steel construction, which is FAR superior to the cylindrical plastic extractors, particularly when creating high vacuum values for viscous liquids. Also, with the 'tube inside a tube' method, you can use it to extract fluids on many other vehicles/RVs/ATVs/boats/power equipment etc. etc., most of which are NOT designed like Mercedes for oil extraction via sealing at the dipstick tube.

So, it's cheap, far stronger than plastic extractors, like Mityvacs, and versatile. Give it a try if you're wanting an easy, low-cost entrance into using fluid extraction as a maintenance method.