Topsides Oil extractor - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

funola · #16 02-11-2019, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanno

Is there a difference if I use the sealed dipstick tube only rather than the extractor tube inserted down the dipstick tube? I've been using a Jabsco 12v vacuum pump system for years with the latter method, no known issues.

Dipstick tube = bigger dia, less restriction, much faster extraction. I use an elec vac pump to charge a 5 gal Helium tank connected to the dipstick tuben. It sucks the sump and filter housing dry in less than 30 secs.

dogguy · #17 02-11-2019, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelbur

Maybe this will help you stop yourself. Not all Mercedes dip stick tubes go to the pan! On my '97 E300D I have to carefully feel for the pan with the small tube, because if I push it in too far it will curl up in the pan and suck air. If you suck from the top of the tube, you should remove the drain plug once, to be sure you have drained the sump, and don't forget to loosen the oil filter so that that oil can fall into the pan so it can be sucked out.

I use the Topsider and still have the soft tube. Yes, it does nearly collapse but it still has two channels that pass warm oil. I set it on the ground and use the small tube to feel for the pan. I use the degree of tube collapse to tell me if I should pump up some more vacuum. It takes about 15 minutes. I change the filter while it is sucking. It loudly announces it is finished, and I make sure I have got it all. I like the Topsider because it holds more than my car, and it has caps that allow you to take the container to the recycling place, and it was cheap. You need to park so the tube is at the low side of the pan. In my case it is at the front of the engine.

This perfectly captures my 3 decades of experience using the Topsider each time. Absolutely no reason to change course.

rocky raccoon · #18 02-11-2019, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

That’s how the dealer does it. Dipstick tube is the suction tube.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

I'm not going to aggravate myself arguing with these guys. You are correct and I have been servicing all of my OM617 and M117 engines this way for years. There MAY be some MB engines where the dipstick tube suction method will not work but I am not aware of them.

I always get 7+ quarts of oil out and removal of the drain plug may show one or two drips.

Mxfrank · #19 02-11-2019, 08:06 PM

Resistance is futile. As is vacuum, in some cases.

Simpler=Better · #20 02-12-2019, 01:49 PM

Wow, my homemade setup is sounding better & better!

1/4" nylon air brake line, with a slash cut for the dip hose. This goes to Tygon tubing to the vessel. Never collapses, never gives me trouble. I've done a bazillion changes with it.

wwii · #21 02-12-2019, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

Resistance is futile. As is vacuum, in some cases.

That cap looks like my transmission fluid dipstick.

vstech · #22 02-13-2019, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

Resistance is futile. As is vacuum, in some cases.

Yup, the transmission tube attaches to the top of the sump...

funola · #23 02-13-2019, 02:51 PM

Here's a ebay OM617 oil dipstick and dipstick tube

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Dip-Stick-Dipstick-Tube-OM617-W123-W126-300D-Genuine-/282259172104

Looks like the dipstick tube is a bit longer than the dipstick!

sixto · #24 02-13-2019, 05:30 PM

I haven’t cut a 617 but this diagram shows where the dipstick tube should end relative to the bottom of the oil pan -

Also shows where the dipstick ends in the tube.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

wwii · #25 02-13-2019, 06:00 PM

Nice. Is there one for a 603 (.970/.971)?

Mxfrank · #26 02-13-2019, 06:32 PM

Point is, if you insert a nylon tube, you know it’s bottomed.

dogguy · #27 02-13-2019, 11:24 PM

As I wrote previously in this thread:
"On the 617.952, the bottom of the dipstick tube is so close to the top of the oil pan that it is quite unlikely that one would be able to successfully wedge the plastic tubing between the two."

If one removes the pan and pays attention, one will observe that the clearance between tube and pan is remarkably small. This explains why, "Looks like the dipstick tube is a bit longer than the dipstick!" By design, the aforementioned small clearance necessitates a tube that is longer than the dipstick. The above diagram is not literal, obviously.

party · #28 02-14-2019, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

Point s, if you insert a nylon tube, you know it’s bottomed.

That's my thinking. On some cars the tube doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the pan. Sending the nylon tube down the dipstick tube removes the guesswork when you own and/or maintain other makes of vehicle.

funola · #29 02-14-2019, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogguy

............................................

If one removes the pan and pays attention, one will observe that the clearance between tube and pan is remarkably small. This explains why, "Looks like the dipstick tube is a bit longer than the dipstick!" By design, the aforementioned small clearance necessitates a tube that is longer than the dipstick. The above diagram is not literal, obviously.

Agreed! I posted the pic of the oil dipstick tube/dipstick and wrote "Looks like the dipstick tube is a bit longer than the dipstick!" to counter the sneaky pic of the transmission dipstick tube/ dipstick posing as the oil one.

funola · #30 02-14-2019, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

I haven’t cut a 617 but this diagram shows where the dipstick tube should end relative to the bottom of the oil pan -

Also shows where the dipstick ends in the tube.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Diagram cannot be accurate since it shows the end of the dipstick tube at middle of oil pan. In actuality, the dipstick tube end terminates into a small reservoir in the bottom of the oil pan, at a level lower than the drain bolt hole. That's why after extraction using the FSM method of vacuum extraction out the dipstick tube, not a drop of oil comes out of the drain bolt hole after removal for inspection.