Do-it-yourself Oil Extractor

January/February 2006
Umut Newbury 
oil change pump, oil extractor
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MATTHEW T. STALLBAUMER
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Lawn mowers, tillers and other power equipment all need oil changes as a part of their routine maintenance. This task usually involves removing drain plugs, which can lead to messy spills, and many of us tend to skip the task just to avoid the hassle. But, failure to change the oil will reduce the life of your engine.

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Now there's a product that makes it easy to change your oil. North Carolina-based Pela Products has released an oil extractor designed specifically for small jobs.

It's affordable ($29.99), and we found it quick and easy to use ? drop the long tube down the engine's dipstick pipe, pump five to 10 times in a row to create a vacuum and watch the oil drain into the container. The PELA 2000 oil change pump has a capacity of 2.5 liters (1 liter equals about 1 quart). In addition to garden and yard equipment, it is especially handy for draining boat engines. Be sure to properly dispose of used oil, which should never be poured directly onto soil or down sewer drains. (Visit Earth 911 to find a local oil-recycling center.)

The oil extractor comes in two other sizes: a 6-liter version ($43.99) and a 6.5-liter size ($69.99). For more information, call (888) 272-7964 or go to Pela Products.
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Comments

  • THOMAS HAAREN 6/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I have both 12 volt electric pump ALSO a vacumm extractor!I find
    both savers excelent tools! I change my daughters 05 jetta TDI What
    a god send I dont have to mess with engine shield screws !! want to
    save time ? Hook both of these items up IN SERIES . NOW TELL ME
    they are NG!!TOM the retired DIESEL MECHANIC PS both items
    purchased NORTHERN TOOL CATALOGHAPPY DRAINING !!

  • 1 spooky j 5/6/2006 12:00:00 AM

    This sounds like a dandy thing for draining out the gass tanks
    on riding mowers etc. that you put away for storage .
    Jim.

  • motherreader 2/24/2006 12:00:00 AM

    ATTN: JOSBORN and GMeekWe contacted PELA with your questions.
    Here is what their representative, Allan Hum, had to say:Thanks for
    bringing this to our attention. We totally disagree with the
    comments posted by JOSBORN. Small engines use the same oil as
    automobiles (API service classification SJ or higher). All
    crankcase oil will suspend contaminates. In fact, it is a very
    desirable quality. By pre-warming the oil, this will stir up and
    suspend debris which will allow a greater quantity to be removed
    during the oil change regardless of the method used.The whole
    purpose of oil changing is to prevent sludge. If the engine is well
    maintained, there will not be a buildup of sludge in the
    crankcase.If sludge is present due to poor maintenance, then the
    crankcase would need to be flushed out with a solvent or the oil
    pan would need to be removed and cleaned. (It is doubtful that by
    removing the drain plug, the less than half quart of oil would
    generate sufficient velocity to flush out the build up of
    sludge.)If you or your readers ever have any questions, we are
    always available. We can be reached by email at:
    inquiries@pelaproducts.comThanks!Regards,Allan HumPela
    Products

  • George meek 1/22/2006 12:00:00 AM

    The oil extractor will leave sludge in the crankcase. Most
    mowers do not have a drain plug anymore as they were so hard to
    remove and reinstall reliably. If you can immagine the plug
    dropping out - if not a missle in the blade, the oil drains and the
    engine burns up.george meek

  • JERAMEY OSBORN 1/18/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I have concerns about the "Do-it-yourself Oil Extractor" method
    of changing engine oil in small engines. The engine oil used in
    today’s small engines is formulated NOT to keep debris and other
    sediment suspended in the oil. A vehicles engine oil does keep
    debris suspended so that it can be extracted via the oil filter,
    however in small engines most have no oil filter. The contaminants
    which settle are flushed out of the engine by all the oil draining
    when the oil drain plug is removed. That, and to remove ALL the
    oil, is the reason the drain plug is located at the lowest point.
    However, by using the "oil extractor" instead of properly removing
    the drain plug; settled debris, sediment, and other impurities will
    not be adequately removed from the oil reservoir. Since these
    impurities are not removed, putting fresh oil back into this
    reservoir will pre-maturely contaminate the fresh oil. My
    assumption is that this devise was developed by someone not
    understanding the full picture of engine protection. Too many times
    we try too hard to find the easy road, however much like this
    devise, easier is not always better. Oz

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