stupid question about funnels and adding fluids

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have 1 which I use 38th virtually all oils I just give it a few good whips with my arm. I dont need one for the overflow or washer fluid as the openings are pretty large.
 
Originally Posted By: mk378
Originally Posted By: cat843

2) Some sleazy places would push it into an empty can, pour nothing in your engine and charge you $1.50 for a QT of oil.


The old "short stick" scam. The key to this scam was to "check" the oil but not push the dipstick all the way in. Naturally it would show low. Then they sell the customer a quart of "oil" from the empty can, and "check" again by pushing the stick all the way in this time, so it shows full. Because it always was full.


LOL. That's pretty slick.
 
Originally Posted By: paulri

My question is: can I use the same funnel for pouring each fluid into that dedicated reservoir? Or is there a problem with mixing trace elements of one fluid into another? If that would be bad---could I simply wipe the funnel clean with a paper towel, or would that not be good enough?


Wait until the wife is at the Mall and put them in the dishwasher.....
45.gif
 
You should have about 6 funnels, and they should be stainless steel not plastic, as plastic will contaminate your fluid, or micro fibers can flake off..

terilize in an autoclave after each use,


autoclave-machine.jpg
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
You should have about 6 funnels, and they should be stainless steel not plastic, as plastic will contaminate your fluid, or micro fibers can flake off..

terilize in an autoclave after each use,


autoclave-machine.jpg




Instead of that, how about if I just hold them over a BBQ grill for 30 secs or so?
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Segregate brake fluid from "water" (windshield washer, antifreeze) from "oil" (ATF, PS, Gear, motor).

Since my funnels help waste products get put in gallon jugs, I don't even keep that good track of them.

Virgin brake fluid is what I'm most paranoid about.


This is what I do. I use brakleen on the oil one occasionally and wipe everytime.
 
I think it is good practice to spray the funnel with water and wipe clean before and after each use. That way, well, redundancy can be nice.

Also, as mentioned brake fluid should probably be the most segregated. Other than that, if you wish to use different funnels- maybe use one for motor oil, transmission fluid, ps fluid, gear oil and waste oil. Then maybe a dedicated on for brake fluid. Then you have coolant, ww fluid, gasoline, but gasoline should probably go in the oil section.


Way to up your skill by sweating the details. And asking. Because, sometimes it may seem harmless, aka a few drops of oil in the brake reservoir, but can ruin parts and more...
 
Power steering fluid? I thought the only time you need to top off power steering fluid is when there is a problem with the system. Or am I wrong?
 
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Power steering fluid? I thought the only time you need to top off power steering fluid is when there is a problem with the system. Or am I wrong?


The only other time I could think of is if you're slowly changing the fluid using the turkey baster method.

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
You should have about 6 funnels, and they should be stainless steel not plastic, as plastic will contaminate your fluid, or micro fibers can flake off..

terilize in an autoclave after each use,


autoclave-machine.jpg




The autoclave might bake the residual fluid on the funnels.

I recommend cleaning with a volatile solvent and drying in an oven.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I just cut a 2 liter bottle or water bottle in half and pitch it when I am done.



I've done this as well. I've also very carefully poured in the first quart of oil, then cut the bottom out of that quart with my pocket knife. Then you have a perfect clean funnel for the next quarts.

I do this often if I run out of Brakleen to wash out my funnel.
 
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I just cut a 2 liter bottle or water bottle in half and pitch it when I am done.



I've done this as well. I've also very carefully poured in the first quart of oil, then cut the bottom out of that quart with my pocket knife. Then you have a perfect clean funnel for the next quarts.

I do this often if I run out of Brakleen to wash out my funnel.


I've cut the first bottle too, it was when I decided to do an oil change the same morning the recycling bin was picked up!
 
Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
Then you have coolant, ww fluid, gasoline, but gasoline should probably go in the oil section.



Gasoline can go anywhere... it leaves things cleaner than it starts with. I use the oil funnel though as a drop of oil in one's gas doesn't hurt, and might even help. Plus it undergoes the most transformation, eg, from slimy to not slimy, and it won't pick up as much dust after the "cleaning".
 
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
I don't think I've ever used a funnel for brake fluid in over 40 years


On a Chevy Venture type van the master cylinder is in a lousy spot under the cowl. I actually made a "gutter" out of scrap aluminum to help the fluid in, but a virgin one of those "ATF funnels" with the long hose would do, too.

It also helps to use a half full pint jug of brake fluid to get in tight spots. If you've got a big old gallon around it'll dribble when nearly full.
 
A plastic funnel, right?
Why not support the timber industry for a change, screw the cleaner stuff, and learn you to make your own recycled, single use, custom paper funnel? Unless you are out there every night adding drops of various fluids?
 
Originally Posted By: willyreid
A plastic funnel, right?
Why not support the timber industry for a change, screw the cleaner stuff, and learn you to make your own recycled, single use, custom paper funnel? Unless you are out there every night adding drops of various fluids?
When you work for a living you often don't have time to bleep around with origami.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom