Oil Change with Pela pump only - can it be done?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:11 am

I've bought a Pela 6000 pump. My question is, supposing I can get 6 litre or so of old oil out using it and without removing the drain plug. If I then replace this with new oil, will it do for an oil change for 3000 miles or so. The next change would be done as a complete drain off, with a new oil filter of of course.

Its an attractive idea as it makes it a quick and hassle free experience.

What does the team think?

Mike

PS - if I do it, I'll post about how much exactly I manage to get out

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:20 am

Yeah why not. Many garages suck out the oil rather than draining now anyway.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:17 am

The Bongo is just about the easist motor to do a proper oil change on anyway, why not do a proper job??

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:38 am

Really? So you don't find stray splashes of oil going inside the undercover and then dripping down or find you have to be a contortionist to get the filter off? Not the worst but equally not the easiest to work on.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:42 am

No !! not at all. 15 min Job. Done dusted and having a cuppa.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:51 pm

Time spent doing reconnaissance is never wasted. (old military expression which applies to many other things, including changing the Bongo's oil & filter )

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:43 pm

I'm with Veg_Ian and Keefy on this. At 55, not being a regular mechanical bod, with a dodgy back, a wife who'll flay me if I get any oil on the drive (or flay me anyway), and I have a garage which I struggle to find time to get organised due to parenting, work and other household chores. So it is not quick for me and I thus tend to put off what I shouldnt put off. The Pela method could make life a lot easier for me AS LONG AS it is an effective alternative.

So, to return to the question, will the Pela method still provide a 'fit for purpose' replacment of old oil for new if it is only able - say - to remove 80% of oil. In a way, there is a precedent as oil filter is advised is only needing changing at every other oil change. The clear implication is that the 0.7 litre or so of dirty oil in the filter is OK to leave in the engine at every other change (and I suspect would alwyas be OK to leave, its just that the filter itself should be renewed at sensible intervals).

On that basis, what would your view be Haydn? Any others got a view?

Mike

Note to self: Must remember to buy up wholesale supplies of Pelas and offer them on ebay as Bongo Oil Change pumps

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:47 pm

Yes you can use the Pela for an oil change. It will remove all of the oil - it sucks from the very bottom of the sump. You push the tube down the dipstick whole until it touches the sump. You can do it this way for major or minor services. I would still buy decent oil and leave it 5 or 6000 miles before changes though.

I take it you bought that one from AIM? I was visualising an older chap near retirement - am I close?

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:50 pm

Don't forget to get the oil hot before you change it. Give the Pela a good 20 strokes and go have a cuppa. No mess and no danger to those delicate picking fingers.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:55 pm

Never met him, smartmonkey as the attempt to pick up from Bolton on the way to Charity Farm went pear shaped due to crap weather and horrendous traffic jams. V nice bloke, he's dropped it off at his father in laws for me to collect there. I'm v encouraged by your thumbs up, it really will make oil changes for me a whole lot better (and thus something that gets done promptly!!). Like you, I'm quietly optimistic I'll actually get almost all the oil out.

Now here's a question. Does the argument change at all if I use flushing oil? I suspect it doesnt, but I'll try my first attempt without flushing oil so I can be confident the Pela pulls out virtually all the oil and thus would not leave any quantity of flushing oil behind (except in the filter of course, so maybe flushing oil only to be used during oil filter + oil changes)

Mike

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:12 pm

You must change the filter if you use flushing oil.

However, why do you want to use flushing oil? What problems do you have that flushing oil may fix? Unless you have a problem with sludge build up I would not use it. It causes bearing wear and can dislodge crud that might block an oilway. Flushing oil is a throwback to when oils were sucked out of the ground and emptied into your sump. Modern oils just don't need it.

The only exeption would be for a very badly maintained car or as a last ditch attempt to shut up hydraulic lifters.

I have removed the sump plug after using the Pela and the amount I get out varies from none to nearly none. In many vehicles the sump drain has a lip to allow for the thread and the Pela can actually get more oil out.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 5:40 pm

You're getting me really excited now SM. Didnt know that about flushing oil (I think in fact it was some modern treatment I actually used when I did the Bongos 1st oil change after I bought it, but old terminology dies hard!). In fact, the Bongo had not had an oil change in 2 yrs and 5000 miles of ownership so it could be argued it was a bit badly maintained.

But I think simple oil changes henceforth sound appropriate now, with a filter change at every other change. No need ever to remove sump plug as far as I can see.

RESULT!!!!! And thanks for the excellent information. Pela's Sales Director will be slobbering.

Mike

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:03 am

Mike, I would be inclined to use the Pela for all your interim oil changes (without filter change) but still remove the sump plug for every other change with filter. You never know who might be lurking in your sump!

Going slightly off thread......I don't have a Pela yet but plan to get one sometime, but I'd like to be able to use it for engine oil and aft changes; what is the best method of cleaning the container and tubes after use? I can't imagine getting tubes used for old oil clean enough for an aft change easily.

Rob

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:21 am

You can just suck a bit of solvent through (white spirit etc) if you wish. As long as the outside of the tube is clean anything on the inside will be heading towards the Pela not away.

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:01 pm

Oh thanks I hadn't considered that sm. I don't suppose great internal cleanliness is paramount!

BTW Mike......perhaps the Pela could replace your upstairs funnel and tube arrangement too! You wouldn't even have to wake up! Just don't drink more than 6 litres.