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Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:17 am
by maxi_77
I have a vacuum pump I use to suck engine oil out through the dip stick socket in boat engines, does this work OK on the Bongo.
Thanks
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:24 am
by lizard
Hi there
Yes you can get some out, but not all of it. Get out what you can then remove the rest from the sump. Don't push it to far in (wait for it

) as it may get stuck and remove some of the outer plastic covering, well it did on mine.

Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:53 am
by mikeonb4c
I have a Pela 6000 pump of that sort and do my oil changes with it. It seems to get every last drop out of the Bongo. Several other Bongo owners have used it and all have been impressed. So much nicer than grovelling underneath removing the sump plug
As lizard says, a little (but not much) finesse is needed when inserting the sucker probe so that you can 'feel' it grounding on the sump bottom.
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:56 am
by dp bradford
maxi_77 wrote:I have a vacuum pump I use to suck engine oil out through the dip stick socket in boat engines, does this work OK on the Bongo.
Thanks
Yes, this works fine; if you do a search on 'Pela AND Pump' you'll get loads of information...
Dave

Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:30 am
by Veg_Ian
I have a Pela 6000 pump of that sort and do my oil changes with it. It seems to get every last drop out of the Bongo. Several other Bongo owners have used it and all have been impressed. So much nicer than grovelling underneath removing the sump plug
Hear, hear! The best tip I picked up from this site. I wouldn't be without mine.
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:58 am
by Hippotastic
mikeonb4c wrote:I have a Pela 6000 pump of that sort and do my oil changes with it. It seems to get every last drop out of the Bongo. Several other Bongo owners have used it and all have been impressed. So much nicer than grovelling underneath removing the sump plug
Is there a disadvantage in this method that you could be leaving stuff in the sump that might be moved by oil and removed draining out of the plug?
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 2:35 pm
by mikeonb4c
Hippotastic wrote:mikeonb4c wrote:I have a Pela 6000 pump of that sort and do my oil changes with it. It seems to get every last drop out of the Bongo. Several other Bongo owners have used it and all have been impressed. So much nicer than grovelling underneath removing the sump plug
Is there a disadvantage in this method that you could be leaving stuff in the sump that might be moved by oil and removed draining out of the plug?
Interesting point. I've considered that and decided:
* Running the engine should put any fine bits into suspension so they will come out whether oil is sucked out or drops out.
* Bits that are too heavy to stay in suspension are probably not much (if any) more likely to come out through the sump plug than the sucker probe, as the 'tidal flow' caused by the sump plug being removed is probably not enough to drag them across the flat sump bottom to the drain/exit hole.
* Either way, the concerned owner might consider using flushing oil to remove even more suspendable particles.
* In terms of diluting any old leftover oil, the Pela seems to remove every bit as much as removing the sump plug does (see it as draining upwards from a flat base using a tube hole instead of draining downwards from a flat base using a drain hole, and it starts to make sense).
* If there is any risk left after considering the above, life's too short and in many ways I regard my relatively cheap to buy Bongo as one big experiment. I love 'pushing the envelope' and - so far - the wings (or is it wheels!) haven't come off - touch wood.
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:44 pm
by MountainGoat
I have just got myself a Pella Pump, you can buy them from here.
http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/tools-re ... 4535.bhtml
Tony
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:57 pm
by not so old
What a great idea, we had never heard of them. Must get one, Another less messy job!
Cheers Anna
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 7:27 pm
by dandywarhol
Has anyone actually removed the sump plug to check any remaining old oil AFTER using the Pela?
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:24 pm
by haydn callow
I have a Pela pump which I used to drain the auto box fluid co's I didn't fancy dropping the sump. Worked very well but if any fluid was left in there ,I don't know.
I don't see any problem with changing the engine oil by... removing the sump plug and cleaning it.... letting it drain...whilst this is happening...change the oil filter....replace the sump plug...refill with oil....Job done...20 mins max.
It really is the easiest vehicle I have had to do a oil change.
I also put a old towel under the oil filter to catch the inevitable slight spillage.
As Dandy points out....how do you know the Pela pump has emptied the sump unless you remove the drain plug.
Anyone want a once used Pela pump ??
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:19 pm
by MountainGoat
I have change the oil in all the cars that I have had in the past by removing the sump plug. No problem with that, the problem lies with transfering the old from the collection pan to a suitable container for disposal without spilling any. No problem if you have some waste ground to do the job on but I am not prepared to mess up the block paving on the drive of my fairly new house. It would cost more in cleaning fluid than a pella pump to satisfy her in doors if I spilt any. Removing the sump plug to catch the last few drops and any sludge as dandy recommends is commoon sense.
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:05 pm
by mikeonb4c
MountainGoat wrote:I have change the oil in all the cars that I have had in the past by removing the sump plug. No problem with that, the problem lies with transfering the old from the collection pan to a suitable container for disposal without spilling any. No problem if you have some waste ground to do the job on but I am not prepared to mess up the block paving on the drive of my fairly new house. It would cost more in cleaning fluid than a pella pump to satisfy her in doors if I spilt any. Removing the sump plug to catch the last few drops and any sludge as dandy recommends is commoon sense.
Spot on (or not spot on drive anyway!). How do I know if it has removed all? Well when it has removed 6.5 litre (which it has done, the graduated container tells you so and the overfilling does as fallback as its only 6l capacity) and the oil filter is still in place, I reckon I've probably got the lot. The only time I had it with the sump plug method, some overshot the bowl and it got messy, although I had cardboard in place so not that messy. But once its on your hands its a real pain.
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:38 pm
by Nibs
Re: Vacuum pump for oil changes
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:58 pm
by dandywarhol
Thanks nibs
