Do extractors remove all of the fluid? For example, when changing the transmission fluid will and extractor remove all of the transmission fluid in the system including the fluid in the lines and trans coolers, or does it just extract the fluid in the pan? What type of extractors are they for the home DIYer? Are there alot of users of these here? Seems like it would me easy work for things like the trans, coolant, diffs, transfer cases etc., but I am not sure if these extractors will replace all of the fluid. thanks for the help.
Extractors?
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It really depends upon the architecture of your engine/diff/transmission.
On my BMW, I can get more oil out of the crankcase with the extractor than I can by removing the drain bolt. On my wife's acura, it's about equal, but on my my Chev Avalanche, I can only get out about 1 qt.
If your extractor tube can hit the bottom of the pan at its lowest point, then you'll get enough out. You just need to experiment and see.
On an automatic transmission, you might get it all out of the pan, but there will still be fluid remaining in the cooler lines, cooler and torque converter. You need to pump those out with the transmission to replace that fluid.
On my BMW, I can get more oil out of the crankcase with the extractor than I can by removing the drain bolt. On my wife's acura, it's about equal, but on my my Chev Avalanche, I can only get out about 1 qt.
If your extractor tube can hit the bottom of the pan at its lowest point, then you'll get enough out. You just need to experiment and see.
On an automatic transmission, you might get it all out of the pan, but there will still be fluid remaining in the cooler lines, cooler and torque converter. You need to pump those out with the transmission to replace that fluid.
I've been using a Topsider for three years now. It's essentially a big blue 8-quart gas can with a bicycle pump and narrow tubing attached. Simple to use, and it allows me to seal up the used oil in the metal can and take it to recycling.
On my last change, I got out (or at least had to pour in) 5.5 quarts. My car is supposed to take 6.2, but it's possible that amount would bring it right up to the top of the Full line on the dipstick -- whereas the owner's manual says the oil level should be *between* Add and Full, which is where the 5.5 brought me. So I suspect there wasn't very much oil left behind.
As Jim 5 says, the extractor tube needs to get to the bottom of the pan. If your car is designed for oil extraction, the dealer will know; they are probably doing it that way, since it's quicker and cheaper (for them).
On my last change, I got out (or at least had to pour in) 5.5 quarts. My car is supposed to take 6.2, but it's possible that amount would bring it right up to the top of the Full line on the dipstick -- whereas the owner's manual says the oil level should be *between* Add and Full, which is where the 5.5 brought me. So I suspect there wasn't very much oil left behind.
As Jim 5 says, the extractor tube needs to get to the bottom of the pan. If your car is designed for oil extraction, the dealer will know; they are probably doing it that way, since it's quicker and cheaper (for them).
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
SR77, no extractor or drain method will remove all the fluid. Transmissions, crankcases and gearcases have ALL kinds on nooks and crannies that will hold (sometimes pools) of fluid. Don't sweat it though. It hardly seems to be a problem! I've used a $10 cheapy hand sucn pump to pump transaxles out from the dipstick tube. It works okay to refresh ATF.
Joel
Joel
Thanks for the replies. What brands or models are out there for the DIYer?
Check out my post (Laminar Lou) here
I point to some of the commons ones. If you have an air compressor, the Griots one is pretty cool. I like it because I can leave it on while I am pulling the extractor hose and it won't drip (because it is still under vacuum). I have to assume that the pump actuated ones will probably drip a little. I've made many oil changes with mine and haven't spilled one drop of oil.
Thanks for the replies.
Laminar Lou, can you comment more on using your extractor. You say that it will remove all of the engine oil when you stick it into the dipstick hole, but what about when you are changing the transmission fluid or coolant? How much does it remove from the entire system including the lines hoses etc.? Does it remove most of the capacity in the trans or coolant system or does it only change about half leaving the fluid still in the lines which means you would have to extractor and replace the fluids 2-3 times before it is all replaced? Even with extracting the transmission fluid 2-3 times over say a course of a week, it is still probably easier then dropping a pan! I really don't mind changing the oil, but I am leaning towards purchasing an extractor one day to make all the other systems like trans, coolant, diffs, etc. easier to maintain. Also, on the Griots links, it says that it is not compatible with some models, why is that? If it has a dipstick why would the extractor work with it? thanks for the help
Laminar Lou, can you comment more on using your extractor. You say that it will remove all of the engine oil when you stick it into the dipstick hole, but what about when you are changing the transmission fluid or coolant? How much does it remove from the entire system including the lines hoses etc.? Does it remove most of the capacity in the trans or coolant system or does it only change about half leaving the fluid still in the lines which means you would have to extractor and replace the fluids 2-3 times before it is all replaced? Even with extracting the transmission fluid 2-3 times over say a course of a week, it is still probably easier then dropping a pan! I really don't mind changing the oil, but I am leaning towards purchasing an extractor one day to make all the other systems like trans, coolant, diffs, etc. easier to maintain. Also, on the Griots links, it says that it is not compatible with some models, why is that? If it has a dipstick why would the extractor work with it? thanks for the help
oh yeah, I forgot to ask, how much air does the pneumatic one require. I only have a 6 gallon pancake compressor at the moment
The amount it can get out of the trans is wildly dependent on the vehicle. I can almost get 4 qts (the entire pan) out of the truck, but the Honda Odyssey will get about 2qts only (and I think that is a 3 qt pan - I haven't done a pan drain so I can't be sure.). I found out that if I park the minivan on an incline I get more out. But I can't tell you that it is guaranteed to work in every application. Honestly, the pain with the transmission is filling it back up. Extraction is the easy part. But it doesn't suck any oil out of the lines or torque converter - it's only going to get stuff out of the pan. At least that has been my experience.
I can guess that Griots knows that some vehicles have too narrow a tube or the oil pan is shaped in a way to keep it from extracting properly. I think they are just trying to be helpful and letting you know that they had a few returned from people who had those vehicles. That's the bonus with Griots though, you pay a little more perhaps but if it doesn't work they will take it back.
As for the size of the compressor, I have a 25 gallon with a 5.7CFM flow rate. Your pancake compressor might have a little trouble keeping up, but it only takes 60 seconds to suck 4qts out of the Honda (I am going to time it next time, but I am pretty sure that is how long) So if you have to break it up at 50% duty you are probably talking 2 minutes maybe?
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