Siphoning out ATF

[kd3yt]

2001 Chevy Blazer Trailblazer 58000

Tried to siphon out the atf today so I could drop the pan and install a drain plug. All I could get out was one quart! I think the problem was I could not get the plastic hose down to the bottom of the pan. Does the dipstick tube get narrow down at the end??
I am going to try and hook up a smaller plastic hose to the fluid pump and try again. Understand there is about 5 or 6 quarts in the pan and don't want to try and drop it with all that fluid in there..........
Will change the filter when I finally drop pan and will exchange fluid several times so higher percentage of fluid is new.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Should be able to get 3-4 qts out, anyhow.
When you have the pan off, why not put a drain plug in so you'll never have to go through this again?

 

[mechtech]

You should be able to go to the bottom of the pan. Just use a smaller diameter hose.

 

[vizvo]

I use one of those drill powered pumps. First time I tried, couldn't get much oil out. Turns out that the tubing I used couldn't take the vacuum created by the pump, and the walls collapsed. I got some better tubing and all was well.

 

[chas3]

i have used a marine oil-change pump before with 1/4" polyethylene tubing. cut the bottom of the tubing at a 45* angle to prevent "sticking" on the bottom of the pan.

its a 4l60e (probably the same as your vehicle) and generally i am able to get out 3.7qts. its not a deep pan application.

 

[dkcase]

quote:

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Originally posted by chas3:
i have used a marine oil-change pump before with 1/4" polyethylene tubing. cut the bottom of the tubing at a 45* angle to prevent "sticking" on the bottom of the pan.

its a 4l60e (probably the same as your vehicle) and generally i am able to get out 3.7qts. its not a deep pan application.

---

I have used a vacuum oil extractor two times on my son's 94 Camaro--the second time just this past weekend. 4L60E.
Each time I got out only two quarts before it started sucking air.
Maybe next time, I'll jack up the rear end and try it that way.

I like the system though. It's easy to drain and refill the pan at every oil change. If I'm going to drop the pan for a cleaning and filter change, it lessens the mess a WHOLE bunch.
Of course one car I do -- a Camry-- has a drain plug. Even better.

 

[Eddie]

I have just used a small plastic tube about 8 feet long. Warm the tramsmission and manually siphon the ATF into a bucket. Suck to get the siphon going and go watch a tv program as it takes about one hour.

 

[unDummy]

To drain ATF pan without "extractor" or drainplug:
disconnect the ATF cooler line, start vehicle, run until it 'burps' some air into your bucket.

There are several oil vacuums out there.
http://www.pelaproducts.com/description.htm
http://www.liquidvac.com

Whats weird is only griots garage lists vehicles that it isn't recommended for:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=10122

But Griotsgarage doesn't mention which fluid in those vehicles doesn't extract. Is it the oil? atf?.....