Tank for changing oil

[MHFD112]

I'm thinking of trying to build a tank for changing my oil. A tank where you pull a vacuum on it and then scew the hose on to the dipstick and suck the oil out.<br /><br />Any hints, tips, or tricks? Where would I find the fitting an hose that screws on to my dipstick. My engine is a 140 Mercruiser.

 

[DJ]

Re: Tank for changing oil

MH,<br /><br />You would need to put a "probe" (hollow tube) down the dipstick tube to suck the oil out. Pulling a vacuum on the tube itself will get you nowhere. The dipstick tube does not extend down into the oil pan, only the dipstick itself does.

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

I don't think that is the case. I had it sucked out last year by a mechanic that was doing my water pump and greasing the driveshaft. His tank had a fitting that screwed to the threads on the end of the dipstick. Opened a quarter turn valve and out came the oil. There wasn't a tube going down the dipstick like with my manual pump.<br /><br />It was a slick little invetntion, but very expensive to buy.

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

Just returned from picking up my 15 Mariner from the local dealer. He says the tube does go to the bottom of the pan. The threads on the dipstick same as a garden hose.

 

[vinney]

Re: Tank for changing oil

Vacuum tank work well there is alot less mess with them. You need to pull a venturi on the tank to pull a vacuum. We made a large one for our shop all waste oil goes in a large tank. There are two people making this tank 14 quarts. Vinney

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

I have vacuum pumps for ac repair and was planning on using them to pull a vacuum on the tank. I just need a little guidance on the construction of it. Such as hose size and size of fittings I need.

 

[hondon]

Re: Tank for changing oil

That fitting at the top of your dipstick is the same as your garden hose as your mechanic has said.Go to the hardware store and get that hose fitting to a 5/8 nipple and what ever length of clear hose you need.The clear hose will tell you when you have sucked all the oil out.Warm the engine up before this operation and you'll get more contaminants out and speed things up.Sucking the oil out is the accepted method and there are plenty of pumps on the market if you are looking for one.

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

I have a hand pump. Just trying to build a better mouse trap. ;-) <br /><br />Thanks for the info.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Tank for changing oil

MHFD112<br />I have a 140 OMC and it has the same set up. I have two different pumps that attached to the dip stick garden hose threads. Each is set up to attach a electric drill. Put the output hose in plastic 6 quart container, turn the drill on and the oil is sucked out. One I got from OMC as a oil change kit the other my dad had to suck water out, both work just fine. The water one got from a hardware store was cheaper.

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

How long does it take with the drill pump to empty the eninge of oil?<br /><br />The tank idea really has my attention. It is so simple and easy. I'll bet it took less than a minute to suck the oil out when my mechanic did it. Not to mention it was clean. Don't have to clean up the pump and hoses. I could do a complete oil change in 5 minutes if I had one.

 

[cmdm151]

Re: Tank for changing oil

Why go to all that trouble. There is a good way already. You can buy it for about $120 at most mail order houses. Try Overtons, WestMarine,Boatus. It uses a pump mounted on a 5 gallon bucket. I have use this system for 10 years with great results.

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

I think I can put this thing together for maybe $20 or less. I only have a need for it once a year so I hate to spend too much on it. I also have another interested party that will share in the cost and labor of building it.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Tank for changing oil

Drill takes about two minutes and the pump from the hardware store was under ten bucks but that was back in late 1980. It is pretty clean but do have to store pump and hoses. I put mine in a old coffee car with a few paper towel in the bottom. Where I live the garbage trucks emptys a oil container supplied by the city every week at no charge so very easy for us.

 

[russthemuss]

Re: Tank for changing oil

Ive used an old blige pump in a plastic bucket for years.Its got a copper tube you feed down the dipstick tube.I agree with Djohns19, The dipstick tube does not go to the bottom of the sump on inboard engines.Sure it gets out alot of the oil but not all.Dont know about the small outboards.A 15 mariner 4stroke? Tip it upside down!

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

This is for changing oil the oil in a 140hp mercruiser.

 

[zakaih7]

Re: Tank for changing oil

I built a vacuum tank for the very reason you asked. It cost me $57.oo and about 2hours labor to do it.<br />Since u have a vacuum pump you can do it for about 25 bucks. Go to Harbor frieght on the net and buy a 10 gallon portable air tank and use it to pull your vacuum and it is a great way to catch the oil as well.<br />I took off all the air tank plumbing and put a 1/2" cross on the tank and then used the three remaining ports to 1. suck the oil into the tank. 2. pull a vacuum. 3. pressurize the tank to puch the oil out into a proper container for disposal.<br />The key to this will be to use the top port on the cross for a probe that reaches the bottom of the pressure tank. This allows u to put oil in and then pump it out again. I use 1/4" nylon tubing (DOT) for truck brakes as my pick-up tube in the engine sump. I cut a slight angle on the end of the tube to keep it from sucking to the bottom of the sump. I also measure my waste oil to be sure I got it all before i ever refill the engine. I found that it is so effiecient that I can actually vacuum everything up very easily by just spinning the tube slowly and "feeling" the tip in the bottom of the engine. <br /><br />Give it a try. Cheap and effective. Note to the rest of you that don't have a vacuum source.<br />I used a spark plug cleaner from the same company (costs about 11 bucks) to produce the desired venturi effect for a vacuum. I can only pull about 12 to 13 inches but it is plenty. It uses compressed air to operate so that can be an issue.<br /><br />Michael<br />zakiah7

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

Sounds like a good set up.<br /><br />I don't suppose there is any way I could get a picture of the plumbing is there?

 

[Walter]

Re: Tank for changing oil

For $23.00 I purchased a special brass petcock that replaces the oil pan drain plug (1/2" x 20 thread) and is specifically designed for this purpose. I connect a length of 3/8" I.D. oil resistant hose to the nipple of the petcock and run the hose out the bilge drain hole. After bring the engine to operating temp, I simply open the petcock and let the oil drain through the hose into a recycling container. Talk about simple and clean...changing the engine oil is now a pleasure vs. a major pain. <br /><br />I'm running a 1980 MerCruiser Chev. 350.<br /><br />Let me know the size of your oil pan drain plug, and I'll see if a petcock with that thread type is available.<br /><br />Walt

 

[MHFD112]

Re: Tank for changing oil

I don't really have the room for that. It could be done on my boat but I'd have a hard time getting at the drain hole to poke the hose through. Have to pretty much stand on my head.;-) <br /><br />Thanks for the input though.

 

[zakaih7]

Re: Tank for changing oil

I will Post a Pic or two in the next week or so. I am headed out of town for the next 5 days so if I can't get it posted I will do it when I get back. By the way, I use a little 2 hp air compressor to run the vortex and have to let it build air to pull the vacuum. It take about 6-7 minutes to get the vacuum going and then it takes about 8 minutes to pull the oil out. It isn't the fastest way but then I'm in no real hurry when I start this. I always warm up the engine before I start and this will cut the vacuuming time down considerably.<br /><br />Michael<br />zakiah7