Oil Sampling Question

[Bill_Jay]

I aready have a vaccuum pump, so I just need the tubing that fits down the dipstick tube. Can I use the plastic tubing sold in home and hardware stores for ice-maker hookups, etc.? I'm afraid it will melt in the hot dipstick tube.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Bill_Jay
I aready have a vaccuum pump, so I just need the tubing that fits down the dipstick tube. Can I use the plastic tubing sold in home and hardware stores for ice-maker hookups, etc.? I'm afraid it will melt in the hot dipstick tube.

It won't melt, but once this refrigerator tubing warms up, it becomes very soft and collapses onto itself, which basically causes it to close up and restricts the flow to practically nothing. At least that was my experience with it.

There is another type of tubing out there (not sure what it is called) that is made of hard plastic. It is the same type of tubing that comes with MityVac fluid extractor. I was able to purchase more of this type of tubing from a company that sells MityVac replacement parts. I think it was A&A:
http://mityvacparts.com/

But some hardware stores may carry it too. I just haven't been able to find it locally.

 

[Bill_Jay]

i actually have a MightyVac pump. The tubing that was provided is very soft and plyable. The refrigerator hose I was referring to is much harder.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Hmmm... that's strange. My MityVac 7400 came with hard white/milky looking tubing. Very sturdy and does not collapse when warmed up by oil.

 

[Bill_Jay]

Mine is actually a vaccuum and brake bleeding kit. The hard milky white tubing sounds exactly like what I purchased at Lowe's

 

[Quattro Pete]

Is this it?

It says it's rated for up to 125 degrees (Fahrenheit, presumably), so if you wait a little before you start extracting, you should be fine.

 

[Bill_Jay]

yep...that's it

 

[Quattro Pete]

What I'm thinking would be even better is LDPE (low density polyethylene) tubing. It is supposedly good for up to 175F. Amazon sells it, as do other places I'm sure.

 

[Bill_Jay]

The Blackstone site says use "refrigerator tubing"

 

[iluvhonda]

Originally Posted By: Bill_Jay
The Blackstone site says use "refrigerator tubing"


i have used it as well

 

[Bill_Jay]

I contacted Blackstone. They recommend the refrigerator tubing, but suggest I wait an hour or so till the engine cools a bit.