I have read the articles about using the "Topsider" oil vacuum extractor.

I've search the internet for a place that sells them. Can't seem to find it anywhere.

Can anyone give me some guidance as to where I can buy one?

Thanks

All you have to do is key in "Topsider" in the SEARCH facility at this site. I've already done that. Click on the URL below. Tons of posts on this subject.

PS - save your $$$ and drain it out the bottom. This technique will offer you the opportunity to see how things look down below when draining the oil.


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/search.php?searchid=150289

If you have a shop-Vac, a Fuel can, and a 5' * 3/8" rubber tube, you just got yourself an extremely cheap, highly efficient, home made oil extractor, that works better than the topsider.

Do a search to get the instructions on how to built one. It works great, and unlike the topsider, you don't need to pump it. Just turn the shop-vac on, and the oil gets extracted into the fuel can.

Try using the key word "Topsider", "Shop-Vac", or, "Oil extractor". You will find it.

Phil

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'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]

If you want to suck your oil, you will be happy with this:

MightyVac 7201 [not LiquiVac as I originally posted]. Search and yee shall find.

Topsider is not designed from the gound up to do this job. (It is a blue gas can with a bicycle pump) MightyVac 7201 [not LiquiVac] is purpose designed and built.

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David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award

Most sites that sell Topsiders are marine supply stores (since inboard marine engines need to have their oil removed from above). Do another internet search on "topsider oil" and you'll find a number of vendors.

I've used mine for 3 years and like it. The Liquivac product also looks like a reasonable choice, though I haven't tried it. (It is plastic, while the Topsider is metal.)

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Steve
'93 400E

I bought the Mityvac liquivac. There is a problem with the design. The pressure is retained by the use of a rubber stopper that inserts in the pour spout. This rubber stopper gets contaminated by oil and swells and it becomes impossible to remove. At that point you cannot clean out the interior and the unit can only be used to remove old fluids and can't be used to pump in new fluids.

I don't know about the Topsider, but I would not buy the Liquivac.

Look here. Topsider or Liquivac, your choice. Spare parts, too. Essentially the same thing.

I bought a Liquivac on eBay and it works fine. Some of the tubing is fairly soft and tends to collapse with vacuum if the oil's too hot. No biggy, it still works.

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Norm in NJ
Next oil change at 230,000miles

I am very sorry! I misquoted myself.

MightyVac 7201 is what I have. Liquivac nor Topsider (I have used this one and hate it) is not as good as this device from what I have read.

Best place to buy Topsider or equivalent in Virginia?

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David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award

Owning and using a topsider-like device is like the boat/RV joke - the day you get it is the second happiest day of your life, the day you get rid of it the happiest.

for the last few years i've been using the Pela oil Extractor,
it holds 6 litres of oil in a see thru cylinder with litres marks on the side.
Good to see how you are doing,european car with oil capacities in litres etc.
Occ i do let my mechanic change the oil thru the bottom just incase the pump and the magnetic drain plug(aftermarket for volvo) combined does not drain all the oil and metallic fragments if any.

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Tom 2010 C250 4-matic Sport (Canada)

Yeah, I had a Liquivac (the green plastic jug) and it collapsed on itself after the second use. It has a narrow range of oil temperature that it is effective and any hotter and the plastic container becomes too soft and the vacuum just collapses it. Right now I use the MVP topsider, a blue metal can (~ 8 qt) with a hand vacuum pump attachment. I bought mine at a marine supply store. Yes the tube to the can collapses a little because of the hot oil but it is still pretty good for ~$40. Changed my oil 18 times on the wagon in 2 years (~57,000 miles). If the dealer does it is costs me almost $65 per change (Connecticut prices).

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

I've used a LiquiVac for the last 2 years to change oil on almost every engine around the place, including my '97 E320, a Mazda Millenia, Ford F250, Kohler & B&S small engines on yard and farm equipment with no problems. The only thing it won't work well with are a Honda and a Yamaha ATVs because there are mechanicals between the oil fill and dipstick tube and the bottom of the sump that keep the suction tube from reaching bottom. I prefer the LiquiVac to the Topsider because it is a little easier to work around and empty.

Russ Anderson

So there you have it, SmithIns -- the usual "consensus" on what to buy:

1. Get a Topsider. It's obviously superior, since it's made of metal and will last a long time (but it uses parts designed for other uses, and the tubes may collapse);

2. Get a LiquiVac or MightyVac since they are clearly better since they are designed expressly for oil extraction (but are plastic...)

3. Get a Pela extractor, which is also clearly better since it's clear (but it only holds 6 liters, not enough for the V8s, at least);

OR

4. Drain the oil the old-fashioned way, from below, which is certainly the only way to go since it allows you to check out the undercarriage while you're down there.


Seriously, take your pick -- can't go too far wrong no matter which you choose, despite all of our strongly held opinions...

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Steve
'93 400E

I've been draining oil the old fashioned way for more than 40 years but because of age and problems with my knees, I recently bought a Topsider.

It works just fine. It's very convenient in that you can do everything standing up and you have the oil in a closed container rather than a drain pan.

Since I use 15W-50 Mobil 1 in my 300E, it takes a bit of time to get the oil out but I'm convinced that I get as much or more out with the Topsider as I did by draining it.

My new E320 is too low to get under so I'll be using the Topsider on it as well.

If you use the Topsider, warm the oil and keep the pressure (vacuum) up. Just be patient and it will work fine.

I've got the Pela 6000 oil extractor, and i'm pretty happy with it.
You can get it at your local marine shop like I did.
I paid about 60 cdn for it.

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87' 300E champagne - Euro headlights and corners, 8-hole rims, 140,000miles/220,00km.