Hello everyone, this is my first post and I’m sure the topic has been discussed over and over but I’ve yet to see it. Does anyone else’s OCD kick in when changing the fluids in your vehicle the fact that it’s hard or not recommended to completely drain the pans? Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Done to death
- Thread starter Mike1108
- Start date
I used to. But after doing an experiment with my oil change pump, I decided it wasn't too important.
After removing the oil with my oil change pump through the dipstick, I removed the oil drain plug from the pan. I got about 2-3 oz. more oil out. The car was already up on ramps BTW.
In the grand scheme of things, that amount of oil is not going to make much difference if it is left in the engine.
Now, to be fair, this is a Mercedes, and they have been designed this way for a long time. In fact, topside oil changes have been one of MB's cost reduction efforts that increase service department profitability for quite a while.
After removing the oil with my oil change pump through the dipstick, I removed the oil drain plug from the pan. I got about 2-3 oz. more oil out. The car was already up on ramps BTW.
In the grand scheme of things, that amount of oil is not going to make much difference if it is left in the engine.
Now, to be fair, this is a Mercedes, and they have been designed this way for a long time. In fact, topside oil changes have been one of MB's cost reduction efforts that increase service department profitability for quite a while.
Welcome home, Brother!
I use leftover clean oil to chase out the bottom of the pan, then fill with oil of choice.
shhhh they will hear you
wemay
Site Donor 2023
You're in the right place, OP.
I hope everyone realizes that engines have a rebuild fill and a service fill and usually a quart or more always stays in the engine unless you tear it down.
So ya a few more ounces on a change makes no difference.
So ya a few more ounces on a change makes no difference.
I'm sure there's oil sitting around here and there that won't come out unless you can flip the engine around on several axes, but I have been known to let mine drain overnight. I'm usually in no rush and I might as well get as much filth out as I can.
Not sure how a quart or more of oil could remain. A quart is a lot of oil Could you explain further?
Nooks and crannies!
It stays in the oil galleries mostly. Here are the specs for my Nissan - VQ40 4.0 liter. More than a quart.
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This image made it much more credible now.
Also those with an oil to air cooler know that there is anotjer quart or so from the old oil that stays inside.
I let it drip until the gale force wind that always shows up out nowhere slings the oil away from the drain pan, over the massive cardboard tv box panel I stole from the neighbor's trash and onto my driveway. Sort of like a windsock barometer to know when my oil is fully drained.
I too am guilty of flushing some new oil into the filler to flush out any old oil settling in the pan.
I too am guilty of flushing some new oil into the filler to flush out any old oil settling in the pan.
Patman
Staff member
Considering the fact that most people change their oil too often anyway, you really shouldn’t be concerned about the leftover old oil in the engine. It’s still perfectly serviceable oil, just like the oil that was drained too early and tossed aside…
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- Aug 16, 2022
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my ocd kicks in when i see 3,000 miles, running HPL or Amsoil, and thinking about dumping the oil... i thank God i have an understanding wife
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