LVDell

Just wanted to say hi to everybody here on the board. Looks like a great board with a lot of great information!

I spend most of my time on the P-Car boards since I am a DIY kinda guy and PCNA does not include squat with thier cars when sold.

Now thay my MY00 ML430 is just out of warranty and has no more included service I am off to start working on the ML like I do on the P-Car.

Time for the oil change.....and my question to the board:

Do most of y'all use a topsider or drain from the plug?

I am thinking the topsider is the route to go and would like any input on good (and bad so I can stay away from them) topsiders for the oil change. I tried a local boat shop here in Vegas and they didn't have anything (they claimed to have everything though).

Thanks all,
Dell

Swiss Nick

Hi, and welcome to the club!!

I always use the drain plug! But then I have access to a ramp. Even if I didn't I would still prefer the drain plug method. A little messy if you get it wrong, but at least you drain out everything.

deuce zer0

welcome.

I dont know about how many change the oil themselves but i did read just yesterday of a couple people talken about this and what kind of topsiders. I cant remember what the tread topic was.

LVDell

if you remember the thread let me know. I would be interested to see what others say about the topsiders of choice. thank you.

benzboy

I use a technique called "take it to MB Service". Just lazy I guess! Welcome to the board.

UncAl

I use a Mityvac ... Topsider is about a liter shy of holding all the oil from an ML. Tons of sources on the Internet for it. Get the 8.8 liter capacity.

Mike's ML

I use the MityVac Plus #7201. It holds more oil than the topsider.
I got mine on sale at http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MIT-7201.html
Very easy to use.

LVDell

The 7201 looks like a great deal! I think I might try that one.

Thanks for all the input everybody.

LVDell

What is the advantage of having the 7300 model? It is air powered. For $15 more it sounds like the easier of the two (sorry for sounding lazy).

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MIT-7300.html

Mike's ML

The Air Powered version needs to be connected to a supply of Shop Air. In other words you will need an air compressor. The 7201 uses a hand pump and can be used anywhere without any external connections.

LVDell

I have an air compressor and just wondered if there was any extra benefit of having the air compressor create the vacuum versus using personal muscle to pump the oil??? In otherwords, do you think it "sucks" out more oil or is it just faster, etc.?

saturnstyl

The mityvac unit owns. I use it at work, on virtually every car I service. I hate screwing around with the encapsulation panels and drain plug gaskets. Seems the screws are missing, the clips won't hold, etc..... If you don't take it off you can't get blamed for screwing it up! Make sure the engine is at operating temperature when you use the vacuum pump, and it will be fast, and actually remove more oil than the drain plug method. I have been using mine on several cars a day for years, and its still going strong even with the original tubes and all.

saturnstyl

I forgot. The air powered unit has been proven virtually worthless in my shop. Get the manual variety.

LVDell

Why is the air powered variety worthless? My only concern with the 7201 (the manual one) is the breakability of the pump. I have heard of many people complain that they broke the pump easily (granted not this brand). Which model do you own?

Thanks for the input.

Mike's ML

If you look at the Topsider you can see that the pump could be easily broken. The Mityvac pump is much more rugged and is mounted in a good position. I can't see breaking the Mityvac pump. Besides I dont think I would want to mess around with any air lines while draining my oil. One more thing for me to screw up. The Pump assembly was one of the reasons I went with the Mityvac in stead of the Topsider.

LVDell

THanks for all the great feedback!!! I am going to get the 7201.

Cheers,
Dell