Gravity, A Weighty Subject
top side oil evacuator issues
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S4/M3
top side oil evacuator issues
Found a few old threads on this, but thought I'd check for any current advice Anyone else using Mityvac or the like and unable to extract the full oil volume? I was only able to get 5.5l or so the last time, and only after a lot of effort pumping. No issues with my Audis or BMWs, no luck here. I read about an adapter, but can't find one that seems to be meant to work with the mityvac. Going to give it another shot using the coupler as a seal if no other advice - and if that doesn't work, then I guess I'm paying for oil changes.
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Found a few old threads on this, but thought I'd check for any current advice Anyone else using Mityvac or the like and unable to extract the full oil volume? I was only able to get 5.5l or so the last time, and only after a lot of effort pumping. No issues with my Audis or BMWs, no luck here. I read about an adapter, but can't find one that seems to be meant to work with the mityvac. Going to give it another shot using the coupler as a seal if no other advice - and if that doesn't work, then I guess I'm paying for oil changes.
Even if the vacuum doesn’t work, the GLK isn’t a hard vehicle to change oil on. It’s already fairly high off the ground. An additional 3-5 inches can be obtained with inexpensive low lift ramps from Walmart or Amazon. Or you can fabricate a pair from 2x12 lumber like I did. That will give all the work space needed. A closed top drain pan with a pour spout (also from WM or Amazon) will minimize mess and facilitate transfer to disposal containers.
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2013 glk 350
The only benefit of top pumping out oil is it’s quicker - cheaper. What about all the heavy metal and sludge particles that fall to the bottom of the pan. They just stay in the oil. Draining is not a big deal. I could easily find a shop to do it for 35$ with my supplied proper oil and filter.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Usually when that happens you've pushed the extraction tube too far down and it's curled up at the bottom. If it has a natural bend, try to orient that toward the side of the pan rather than in toward the center. Stop when it first hits the bottom of the pan. Or, get a small rod and probe the dipstick tube (if it's straight) until you locate the bottom, then mark the length and transfer the mar to the extraction tube.
I had the same problem with the GLS450; it was difficult to detect the bottom and the first try only netted about 5 quarts. Pull the tube up an inch at a time until you get it all, then mark the tube for future reference.
If the oil is warm and you suck it out soon after running the engine there won't be much of anything left in the sump. I resisted the idea at first, but now I find it a lot faster and neater.
If yours is a 250 I can measure the mark on my tube and let you know.
I had the same problem with the GLS450; it was difficult to detect the bottom and the first try only netted about 5 quarts. Pull the tube up an inch at a time until you get it all, then mark the tube for future reference.
If the oil is warm and you suck it out soon after running the engine there won't be much of anything left in the sump. I resisted the idea at first, but now I find it a lot faster and neater.
If yours is a 250 I can measure the mark on my tube and let you know.
Last edited by John CC; May 19, 2023 at 11:45 AM.
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2011 GLK 350 4Matic
I dunno... reading about using an extractor makes me think it's marginally more difficult / fiddly than just pulling the oil pan plug. At least then you KNOW you get out all the oil (assuming gravity is fairly consistent where you live). ;-)
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
I also have the extractor in case I put a slight bit too much engine oil in to top it off for the vehicles.
I've also used it to extract fluid from the hydrostatic tranny on the zero turn mower
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
"you would weigh about four-thousandths of a percent less than at the average location on the planet" ... compared to Hudson Bay.
Obviously, @habbyguy 's gravity reference is about "un-level ground". But that goes without saying.
Last edited by calder-cay; May 20, 2023 at 09:21 PM.
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
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Joined: Jun 2021
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
So they added a new enclosed garage - the problem is they didn't renew the "entryway slab" to be level , so vehicles in the garage are on a downward (or upward, depending on your viewpoint) slope.
There's no way in heck you're gonna check the oil level when parked in the garage. Check the 4 ft level I placed on the floor next to front GLK wheels (bubble is at extreme end)
.
Last edited by calder-cay; May 22, 2023 at 07:42 PM.
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S4/M3
Thanks, all. This is the wife's GLK350. I do always check and mark the dip stick length. Just ordered 5 quarts M1 0W-40 for the GLK and the BMW and will give it one last try with the evacuator and some of these tips before I contract out the work.
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From: WI
GLK 250
No issues using my 6L Schwaben vacuum extractor on the cars in my sig. I've also used it successfully on past vehicles, including BMW X3d, VW TDI and Passat 1.8T, MB E320 and C300, my Husqvarna riding mower and probably others I'm forgetting. Never a problem or an oil-related issue after servicing.
In fact, I don't remember the last time I pulled an oil pan drain plug on any of my cars. That's not to say I forego safety inspections underneath from time to time; just that I drain oil via topside and don't worry about the 1-2% residual that I leave behind. There's other oil you leave behind when draining from underneath anyway, so don't sweat it or overthink it.
In fact, I don't remember the last time I pulled an oil pan drain plug on any of my cars. That's not to say I forego safety inspections underneath from time to time; just that I drain oil via topside and don't worry about the 1-2% residual that I leave behind. There's other oil you leave behind when draining from underneath anyway, so don't sweat it or overthink it.
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
If you decide to farm out the labor and byo oil and filter, the Take 5 here will do it for $30. Call around or look online in your area.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
