Anyone Use One of These to Change Their Oil?

[paulswagelock]

I'm assuming you are referring to the Topsider? I too am looking to use this on my tractor and several other pieces of lawn equipment. These items are a pain to change oil without spilling on the driveway or garage floor. I could jury-rig a battery connection to use the Jabsco unit but I really would prefer not to. What is your experience with the amount of pumping required to remove all the oil?

Yes, the Topsider. The boat and car have a 5 qt sump. I don't think I have counted, but I would say around 10 to 15 pumps at beginning, then 3 or 4 pumps a few times along the way. By no means is it excessive as long as you keep the vacuum seal in tact. If you let the tube come out of the oil, or knock the pump off the tank, you start all over with the initial pumps.

 

[alnav]

I own a Topsider but I would go with one of the vertical stroke pumps if I had to get a new one. The Topsider requires a lot of room to operate properly in a cramped engine room because of the way the pump angles off the side of the tank. Mine has an annoying tendency for the pump to fall off the tank if the stroke isn't exactly in line with the angle of the pump; the threads are too shallow in my opinion. It would also be nice to have some visibility on the amount of fluid collected that a translucent tank would provide.

 

[Paladin]

I had an odd experience with a drill-pump powered setup. I made it myself, it was tight fitted etc. I bought one of those bigger orange drill pumps at harbor freight, and it wouldn't suck (even just the drill pump by itself). I took it back, got another one, and it still wouldn't suck. I took it back and showed the guy in a sink at the store how there was no suction even with water, never mind oil (there's supposed to be no priming necessary).
he shrugged and that was that, I got my money back and somehow the whole setup just got laid aside in the garage.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yeah, I think that's why Harbor Freight is sometimes a bit of a gamble. I do buy stuff there, but let's face it - there has to be a reason the stuff is so cheap.:smt001

For what it's worth, I've had a drill mounted pump (made by Jabsco, I believe) for ages. It works as advertised - I've used it for various things (including once in a while for oil). But, I like the vac pump better - partly because it's much less messy. But, it does get the job done.

 

[rondds]

I had a topsider when I had my 19' cuddy. HATED that thing. Took a while to get the oil out and I couldn't tell how much oil was in the can b/c it's not translucent. I bought the 5L version of this one...

which worked well enough, but took a long time. Narrower design is easier to fit in the bilge as you are waiting. Sold my topsider on E-bay!

Past two falls, used this gizmo. NO COMPARISON. As close to a Reverso as you'll get.

 

[tdappleman]

I had one of the vacuum operated ones and they were just really slow. I bought one of the Jabsco ones and have been very happy so far.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=50366&subdeptNum=50396&classNum=50402

 

[sdarc]

I agree with Ron. That's the one I use and love it. Sucks it out fast.

 

[beernutz]

I use this, it works fine, but I think when I buy another I'll get the electric one

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...g&srccode=cii_18492716&cpncode=26-102788690-2

I have this one too and it works well enough that I'll probably never upgrade as long as it doesn't break.