[Phil №❶]

I have purchased a liquid pump to drain oil from the sump without crawling under the car.

Can anyone think of a semi rigid tube I can use to fit down the dipstick tube. My current coiled plastic tube can not be made to stay straight. I need something about 1 metre long so I can trim it to the required length. It needs to be capable of some bending as some dipstick tubes have an angle built into them. The best I've been able to think of is the stiff gardening water tubes that rise above plants and have sprinklers on them, but they're only sold in 300 mm lengths. 

[Surferdude]

Phil, I've never liked those things as they don't seem to get all the residue out from the bottom of the sump.
have they improved them?

[Phil №❶]

I had one I used before, but it broke. However at the time I used a plastic rod from a helium balloon which went to the bottom of the sump. After draining 1st time, I undid the sump plug and not 1 drop of oil came out, so I was satisfied with that result.

The pump I have this time is very good because it is not damaged by running it dry. This can occur initially until the oil reaches the pump. I've tried it twice, but due to the tube havivg "memory" effect, can't get to the bottom of the sump, so had to do conventional change.

Easy on the Commodore, but difficult on i30 due to clearance problems, requires lifting & safety stands etc.

Once I get the plastic problem sorted, I'll put up some details here for those interested.

[diablo]

When I was into home brewing there used to be long plastic tubes to use when siphoning out of the brew barrels, they were firm but slightly bendable, about 1 metre long. Dunno if they still do them.

Though come to think of it the actual beer siphoning tube might be better, it will be stiff enough to feed to the bottom. 

In ancient days there used to be quite a bit of swarf in the bottom of the sump which draining allowed to escape. Though I don't think I noticed any when I did my last drain, which would have been on my Laguna. So maybe engines don't shed much metal these days.

[Phil №❶]

Can't say I've ever noticed swarf, a bit of sludge, (not in my current cars), the synthetic oils are keeping the engines nice and clean. Had to replace some hydraulic valve lifters on my v6 a few years ago, when dismantled, the engine was beautifully clean, so sludge or buildup anywhere, one reason I decided to keep the car long term.

We have a home brew shop not far away, I'll try there, Thanks. 

[crayman]

Unless you've got a remote filter setup, you've still got to get under the car to do the oil filter.
I find filter changing more messy than dropping the oil.

[Phil №❶]

Engine oil filters on all my cars are easily reached in the engine bay. I have some discomfort crawling under cars, so if I can avoid it, I will.

[crayman]

Too old for crawling under cars so I built this.

[Phil №❶]

Excellent practical use of sloping land. 

[asathorny]

Silicone Foley Balloon Catheter

You could try looking at something like this Phil, obviously you wouldn't inflate the retention balloon  .....

Just a thought 

[Phil №❶]

Good suggestions coming in, thanks all. 

I like the wide bit at the opposite end of the catheter as the pump uses hoses about that diameter. Thanks, ASA.

[cruiserfied]

A bit soft maybe but what about fish tank air pump hose?

[Phil №❶]

Close to what I have now. It's coiled and will not remain straight in the sump. 

[Lorian]

Not sure what your tube is made out of but the sort of (clear plastic) tube I use for draining my home radiators used to curl up - I just boiled it for a few minutes in a pan and then lay it out pinned down straight till it cooled off.

[Phil №❶]

If the oil is anything other than cold, the tube bends again.

[StarSeeker]

Too old for crawling under cars so I built this.

What a great idea, love it

Hope its secure though

[Shambles]

Too old for crawling under cars so I built this.

The pic just got deleted. What happened there crayman?

[Aye30]

What about the tube for under bench drinking water filters. The outer diameter is 6.5mm which is 1mm bigger than my current sump pump tube diameter and will fit into the FD dipstick tube.  Also I've found that the tube needs to be at least 15cm longer than the dipstick to get to the bottom of the sump and with a long bit of wire inside the tube you can put a kink into it to get around that corner near the end,  just make sure it allows enough space for the oil to get around it and if it pulls out of your tube ensure it is long enough to pull out of your dipstick hole i.e. longer than the tube you are inserting.

[Phil №❶]

I think I know the stuff you mean.

Yes, I've resisted the temptation to use something stiff at the end of the soft tube, but I just know it will come loose and get stuck in the dipstick tube.

[Aye30]

That's the beauty of using a very long bit of wire. If it does pull out while removing, the top of the wire will protrude from the dipstick hole. Also it helps when turning the tube, while seeking the bottom of the sump.

[cruiserfied]

Me thinks a pair of ramps might be easier. Sounds like a pain in the butt and a slow process.

[Phil №❶]

Actually, it stops the pain in the butt and as far as speed, I've got plenty of time, once set up correctly, 5 minutes will see the sump emptied.

[cruiserfied]

That's not too bad then.