MityVac 7201 for ATF

[RnR]

As I have a Fram SureDrain on my oil pan, I don't see much need for an evacuator when it comes to just changing out the engine oil on my current vehicle. But since I use ramps, and don't have any jack stands, I'm a little leary about crawling further in to drop the transmission pan - something I've never done before either.

So while I will eventually have to drop the pan when it comes time to change the filter, I wonder if a MityVac 7201 could be justified in order to pull the ATF for periodic refills and not aggravate the pan gasket during the process.

How many of you are satisfied with the 7201 when using it for ATF changes?

 

[HTSS_TR]

I had been using MityVac 7201 to refresh ATF in 2 of my 3 cars for several years. It can extract the same amount as dropping the pan without making a mess dropping the pan and change the gasket.

I also used Mityvac to extract PSF in power steering reservoir, brake reservoir when do the brake flush. But most of all is to do the oil change for MB E430.

It's expensive at more than $70 but it can extract all kind of fluids in the car. You will be satisfy with money spent buying it after using it in several maintenance jobs.

 

[RnR]

And there is the weather to consider too... much easier to pull off a fluid change during the winter up here if you're not laying on the frigid earth!

Power steering I usually address with a handheld syringe, but the same idea applies - pull the fluid instead of waiting for a drain to complete. It certainly has it's conceptual and practical advantages - provided the device stays together.

 

[Ross]

You must be my long lost twin. I do everything as stated.

The 7201 is the best investment that I have every made in tools. I also bought the brake adapter tubing for about $15. It makes exchangine the brake fluid very easy to do!

I also us it to extract antifreeze in newer cars that don't have a drain valve on the bottom.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Ross
You must be my long lost twin. I do everything as stated.

The 7201 is the best investment that I have every made in tools. I also bought the brake adapter tubing for about $15. It makes exchange the brake fluid very easy to do!

I also us it to extract antifreeze in newer cars that don't have a drain valve on the bottom.

I bought 1 ft clear plastic hose at ACE Hardware for 25 cents. I had been using it to bleed brake fluid in 3 cars without any problem. Mityvac brake adapter is too expensive and no needed.

 

[RnR]

I surely would like to get one. If I could manage a discount on one somehow, it would surely be an impulse purchase. The mentioned ability to do the antifreeze may just come in handy too.

 

[Ross]

The brake adapter is nice, because you get a brass valve that you control the amount of vacuum to the bleed valve. You also get a nice right angle device that conforms to the brake bleed valve nicely. You can do without the adapter set up, but I love it!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Ross
The brake adapter is nice, because you get a brass valve that you control the amount of vacuum to the bleed valve. You also get a nice right angle device that conforms to the brake bleed valve nicely. You can do without the adapter set up, but I love it!

This is all importance, you're the one who paid for the adapter and as long you satisfy and happy with the purchase. It is a nice thing to have but it is not necessary thing needed to do the brake flush, and I assume that most people don't like to spend more than necessary, that why I recommended to OP not to buy this adapter.

I controlled the amount of vacuum to the bleed valve by the number of pumps, if I want to have little vacuum I would make 2-3 pumps, if I want more vacuum I would do 4-5 or 7-8 pumps.

 

[demarpaint]

Now that I made a dipstick for my Jeep transmission, tested it for accuracy and repeatability I'm ready for a Miti-Vac. Just for draining ATF I think its worth the price. Being able to bleed brakes and drain a radiator makes it even better!

 

[Warstud]

I have used my Miti-Vac 7000 for changing ATF but it's tedious when you can only remove 6 oz. at a time.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
I have used my Miti-Vac 7000 for changing ATF but it's tedious when you can only remove 6 oz. at a time.


Is that also the case for the 7201? I never saw one in action, I thought it could extract close to 9 qts of fluid before it was full, all that had to be done was keep it pumped [maintain vacuum]. I can use the old reliable pump that looks like a grease gun for that, as I've done for years. All I did was fit it with a longer hose.

 

[Warstud]

Make that 4oz. at a time with the 7000 and around 8.5 qts with the 7201.

 

[RnR]

Bit the bullet and went the xBay route for a 7201; looking forward to receiving it and putting it to work on the ATF.

Now on to building a pressure bleeder for the brakes...

 

[demarpaint]

Mine is in transit too. I've got two jobs lined up for it already.

 

[mgm13]

Bought a MityVac about three months ago and really pleased with it.So far its been used on 4 different vehicles for trans, antifreeze and oil changes-can't beat it. It will pull 3-4 quarts of oil/atf in less than five minutes.

 

[Jim 5]

I chip in my support for the 7201. I don't know how many times I've used mine in the last 6 years but I'm getting close to $2 or less per use. One of the best tools in the shop, and I have many!

 

[HTSS_TR]

I agree with Jim, it is one of the best tool that I have.

Best use of a liquid extractor such as MityVac is changing oil in German engines with cartridge oil filter on top of the engine. Since you don't need to raise the car to pull the plug, the whole oil + filter change can be done in less than 30 minutes with no mess and no chance to trip drain bolt. Also, the capacity of 7201 is 8.8 quarts enough to do one extraction for many German engines with capacity of 7.5-8.5 quarts. After oil change is done you just pump it out into a large container to recycle, no need to pour so no mess there either.

The labor to change oil in a BMW or MB is no less than $15-20, if you can find a place to do it, so that after 4-5 oil changes you get your money back for initial cost of 7201 at about $75. But the usage of 7201 is more than oil changes, it can be used to extract any fluid includes brake fluid, coolant fluid, ATF ...

 

[sciphi]

Darn it, another tool to buy. It would likely have been handy doing brakes the other day. I'd also love to not dive under the cars to drain or dispense ATF and motor oil. Especially the drain pans available around here are variants on the same terrible design.

 

[K20FA5]

This would be great for ATF! Might have the ask the Mrs for one for Christmas

 

[Jim 5]

Originally Posted By: K20FA5
This would be great for ATF! Might have the ask the Mrs for one for Christmas

Even better is to GET the Mrs. one for Christmas. Of course if she has no use for it, you could probably find something to use it for in the garage!