Change oil without draining?

[77Highboy77]

I started using an extractor through the dipstick tube when I got my 09 VW Jetta. The oil filter was on the top of the engine, so using the extractor allowed me to change the oil in just a few minutes without having to get under the car. I did check the first time by pulling the drain plug after extracting the oil and only got a few drops. I would do this check with any new car that I'm using an extractor on to make sure it actually gets everything. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get an extractor down the dipstick tube of my Mustang, but it really doesn't matter since the oil filter is under the car.

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[HoosierDaddy]

My wife went and had her oil changed in her Hyundai at Valvoline oil center and she was telling me that they removed the oil with a pump through the filler tube. I haven’t heard of doing it that way. To me it sounds half assed, possibly leaving sludge in the bottom of the pan. Is anyone changing their oil this way?

You can do that yourself if you don't mind the cost. I believe Femco sells versions of their drain plugs that can allow oil to be sucked out and new oil pumped back in. Of course, you'll need their device to do that. Probably not cost effective for most of us.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I hope you check the oil levels. When I got my car from a Ford dealership in South Carolina, they only put roughly 6 Qts in it

And not just after oil changes. I bought a new Tradesman Van in '73 that somehow had zero lube in the manual trans. Didn't even make it home. Dealer tried to claim I stopped somewhere on the way home and drained it all out myself.

 

[boB]

This and a length of 1/4" or 3/16" nylon tubing is the low $ way to do it, messy and no fun.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200798034_200798034

 

[SEAICE]

My Jaguar XK (and Aston Martins) with the AJ-V8 (5.0 DOHC) do not have drain plugs. You must suck out the oil. I used a Mighty Vac 7201 (that I sill have). that Jag was sweet, traded it for my current GT.

 

[Bit_the_Bullitt]

My wife went and had her oil changed in her Hyundai at Valvoline oil center and she was telling me that they removed the oil with a pump through the filler tube. I haven’t heard of doing it that way. To me it sounds half assed, possibly leaving sludge in the bottom of the pan. Is anyone changing their oil this way?

When you go to a place like that, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Be thankful they didn't cross thread the oil plug like happened on my 1970 Mustang. I learned my lesson and will never go to a quick lube type of place again.

I have gone to new Valvoline near me for wife's truck as it was badly needed. New location, super clean and I've noticed that most cars were vacuumed out.

You can ask them to drain it normally. I have some cooling issues on the truck, so I asked for a drain and for them to catch some oil for oil analysis. Coincidentally about 3k miles later the oil plug blew out, but can't really blame them (I tried ), it's the stupid composite pans on the F150 (which the Mustang has too).

Bottom line, that's how they do it, seems iffy to me, but you should be able to ask for a normal full drain as there's still a dude/dudette on the bottom as they gotta grab your filter anyway.

 

[rongxanh]

I've done the oil extractor for my VW GTI for 5 years. Everytime I got 6 qts out and put 6qts back in (6.1 capacity). I'll try it on my Mach 1 to see if it works.

 

[TexasMetallic5.0]

I used to use this style almost daily at work, they worked well but weren’t the fastest with the 15w40 that everything used. Usually it was because something was overfilled. For coolant though, they’d suck it down pretty fast.

 

[thunderstrike]

For oil change place to use a drain pump, that's nuts.

 

[The Demon]

I just stumbled across the thread and it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard from the first post. For those of you who go in have their oil changed at the dealer do you see them lift your car off the ground for crying out loud. If it doesn’t leave the ground I would go over there and clothes line the dude.

 

[Bit_the_Bullitt]

For oil change place to use a drain pump, that's nuts.

Yup that's how some do it now. However, there's still a dude/dudette down below and they have zero issues actually draining your oil. You just have to ask. I reckon most people that are on an automotive forum already are more knowledgeable about cars and would ask for that.
Your average car owner probably won't.

I just stumbled across the thread and it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard from the first post. For those of you who go in have their oil changed at the dealer do you see them lift your car off the ground for crying out loud. If it doesn’t leave the ground I would go over there and clothes line the dude.

Generally they have lifts, but I think some of the Quick Lube etc that are part of dealerships might have the hole in the ground and a person drains it from below. Probably saves space and mainly time not having to properly jack.

 

[Magnetic Stang]

Plenty of dealerships use them as well. For the cars that have the oil filter cartridge accessible from the top of the motor means don't have to get under the car at all.

 

[thunderstrike]

I wonder how they change oil filter located below the engine. Long arm or robot below?

 

[Bit_the_Bullitt]

I wonder how they change oil filter located below the engine. Long arm or robot below?

No, like I said, there's still always a person below the car, at least at the place I go. That person changes the filter, but doesn't drain it from the bottom (unless you ask them).

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