Does that trick with a vaccum on the oil filler while removing the drain plug work?
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2013 GL350 X166.824
Does that trick with a vaccum on the oil filler while removing the drain plug work?
I've seen videos of this - stick a shop vac on the filler neck, then remove the drain plug and the oil doesn't spill out.
Does that actually work? Does the engine oil need to be hot, or can it be a cold engine?
Does that actually work? Does the engine oil need to be hot, or can it be a cold engine?
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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Why wouldn't it? You'd be creating a lower-than-atmospheric-pressure situation in the engine block, so you'd be sucking air in through the oil drain plug (once removed). You might get a little bit of dribbling, more so with hot (thin) oil.
Why would you need to do this though?
Why would you need to do this though?
Thread Starter
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2013 GL350 X166.824
Funny you should ask.
So I installed the turbo-to-pedastal seal upside down when I changed the oil cooler. That resulted in an oil leak - with some oil blowing out the front of it.
So I removed the turbo to installed (yet another) new seal, without draining the coolant. I then walked away because didn't have the new seal yet. Come back later to a puddle of coolant on the garage floor (a small one) and find that coolant is leaking out of the pedastel (it's just the right height apparently.
Now, the puddle on the ground isn't large - and it's definitely the most "gravity" way for the coolant to drop down; but there is an oil line in that pedestal also - and the coolant is pooled around those spots.
So, out of an abundance of caution, I was going to remove the drain plug and just see if any coolant dropped out of it - and if it does, then drain it, and perhaps swap out the oil as well.
Given the fact that the coolant level seems consistent (not low), and the puddle was small, I think I'm probably going a bit overboard, but I'd prefer to do that than leave some coolant in the crankcase when I start the engine, etc.
Also, I stuck a plug in that hole once I realized it was leaking.
So I installed the turbo-to-pedastal seal upside down when I changed the oil cooler. That resulted in an oil leak - with some oil blowing out the front of it.
So I removed the turbo to installed (yet another) new seal, without draining the coolant. I then walked away because didn't have the new seal yet. Come back later to a puddle of coolant on the garage floor (a small one) and find that coolant is leaking out of the pedastel (it's just the right height apparently.
Now, the puddle on the ground isn't large - and it's definitely the most "gravity" way for the coolant to drop down; but there is an oil line in that pedestal also - and the coolant is pooled around those spots.
So, out of an abundance of caution, I was going to remove the drain plug and just see if any coolant dropped out of it - and if it does, then drain it, and perhaps swap out the oil as well.
Given the fact that the coolant level seems consistent (not low), and the puddle was small, I think I'm probably going a bit overboard, but I'd prefer to do that than leave some coolant in the crankcase when I start the engine, etc.
Also, I stuck a plug in that hole once I realized it was leaking.
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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Well, that's annoying.
I'd bet that if you just pop the oil drain plug out for a half second you'll have your answer. Can you jack up the car to make sure the plug is the lowest point on the oil pan? Use jack stands of course if you'll be venturing beneath.
I'd bet that if you just pop the oil drain plug out for a half second you'll have your answer. Can you jack up the car to make sure the plug is the lowest point on the oil pan? Use jack stands of course if you'll be venturing beneath.
