ATF Fluid Evacuator Users ?

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Anyone used a hand pump contraption with flexible tube (i.e. Mityvac) to remove ATF thru the drain tube ? If so what equipment , tips and technique ? Also curious if having an ATF filter in the pan would deter this process . * I ask above because doing a drain and fill on a '07 Kia Sedona (even with a bottom drain plug) is a real pain and drains all over cross member bar - looking for an easier drain & fill solution ...
 
I use an extractor the ATF on my 2005 Escape and it works great. So easy that once a year drain and refills are a 20 minute proposition.

I bought my extractor from Griots Garage, but expect they all work the same. For me, I've found it works best to drain when hot and pour the extracted fluid into a 5 quart oil jug with capacity markings on the side. Refill with slightly less fluid (it expands when hot), drive, recheck and adjust level. And if you overfill, get rid of the excess the same way.

Not sure if your Sedona has any thing that would prevent this, but filters tend to be at the bottom of the pan,I think. And if you can't get out all the fluid, just drain and refill more frequently.
 
I used one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-66418.html

Multi-Use Transfer Pump
Pittsburgh Automotive - item#66418

image_16308.jpg


Except the siphon hose that comes with it is too short, so I use a longer hose (8 foot, I think) that I bought at WalMart in the aquarium dept. I siphon it directly into an empty 2L soda bottle. It might be the cleanest way to do this, and when you are done all you need to do is to cap the 2L soda bottles and clean out the pump and hose. I have done this many times, and recommend doing it on a really hot day with the engine cold. I suppose on a cold day it would work if you warmed up the engine some, but I can't say how much warming up is too much since I don't want the siphon hose to melt when it's in the car.
 
I personally don't like the fluid extraction method. Leaves too much at the bottom of the pan for my liking. I prefer drain and fill whenever possible.

Your application is a perfect candidate for the form-a-funnel.

HTH
 
I bought a cheap $10 pump at the auto parts store. I like it for keeping an old car going economically. I pull about 4-5 quarts out every 15,000 miles. Hardest part is figuring out which is the suction end.
 
I use a Miti-Vac. It works great for draining a transmission that doesn't have a drain plug prior to a pan drop. It is also great for doing fluid exchanges after a pan drop and filter replacement. Money well spent IMO.
 
I use a MityVac 7201 (??) and it works well. Has graduations (in liters) to see how much ATF you are pulling out.

I have the cheap orange HF pump also and use that for pumping old gas.

My preference is still a stadetree flush via the cooling line.

I have a Magnefine inline filter and am expecting that to handle most of the crud that might settle to the bottom of the pan.
 
I use a mityvac air powered extractor. Holds like 2 gallons and works great. On my 96 Impala I just stuck the tube in a far as it would go, turn on the air and sucked most of it right out. Less than a quart was left in the pan, but I was able to unbolt the pan without spilling a drop. It also works good for pulling out antifreeze when there isn't a petcock. It would work great to annually freshen fluid. Pump it out, measure, dump the same amount back in.
 
I have found on some transmissions (4L60E) that I can only get 2 quarts out with this method due to a stop for the dip stick that I hit with my vacuum tube. I can get 4 quarts out if I drop the pan. On one vehicle I added a remote oil filter mounted side ways in the cooling circuit. I just loosen it up slightly and idle the car with a pan under the loosened filter until I don't see a steady stream leaking out anymore. Between that and the filter capacity I can change out about 5 quarts. That is the easiest way I've found on any of my cars to change out some fluid.
 
Normally I don't think the filter will be the issue as they wouldn't want the dipstick hitting it so there might be a stop or should be able to reach bottom of pan. you are normally only going to get around a 1/3 of the trans oil dropping pan or extracting. allot stays in tq converter etc...

I still like pulling the pan & wiping off bottom, looking for sludge & checking filter for metal.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: rrguy
Normally I don't think the filter will be the issue as they wouldn't want the dipstick hitting it so there might be a stop or should be able to reach bottom of pan. you are normally only going to get around a 1/3 of the trans oil dropping pan or extracting. allot stays in tq converter etc...

I still like pulling the pan & wiping off bottom, looking for sludge & checking filter for metal.


Its easier unscrewing a Magnefine to see what is inside when changing it.
 
Thanks for the replies - will try the Harbor Freight version first with aquarium tubing for something a bit more rigid ...If I can get 3 ~ 4 qrts. out at a time - I could live with that .
 
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