I'm due for my first oil change on my Passat TDI, and if anyone is familiar with these cars, they will know there is a factory plastic belly pan. This obviously adds extra time and steps to an oil change. I've done it traditionally before from underneath on my long gone Golf TDI, but this time around, I would like to save some time if possible. Topside oil changes seem to be the thing to do among many in the TDI community, and I know several here on BITOG have done it on a variety of makes and models.
The usual implement to do this of course is usually a fluid extractor by the likes of Pela, Mityvac , Motive, etc. Lowest cost model of any of these are typically $60.
I am looking for something I can put together locally, and at a reasonable cost. I have come up with a few options, and would like to hear of others' successes or failures with these or similar products. Should whatever I end up using to do my first topside oil change fail, I will simply defer to going underneath as usual.
1. 1.6L Gas/Oil extractor from Princess Auto: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/gas-oil-extractor/A-p8469512e
One reviewer on the site used it to draw out ATF. Downside that I can see is that the small capacity means stopping a few times to empty the reservoir.
2. Basically option 1, but now I take the tank from a garden sprayer such as this one: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/multi-purpose-sprayer/A-p8547499e
I simply substitute the small tank of the extractor with the one from the garden sprayer. Looks like the extractor is basically a giant cork. I need to confirm this is the case, and it is not threaded in, or of threaded, then the same size as the garden sprayer tank. Assuming I get a full seal one way or another, any downsides?
3. Completely different course of action, using a drill pump, in particular this one: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/self-priming-drill-pump/A-p5770771e
I have read many posts in a variety of forums - different makes and models of cars, and also marine applications for oil changes. Results seem to be mixed, with half saying it works, the other half saying it did nothing. For those who had success with this and elaborated, it seems they pre-prime it with oil, either by pouring/forcing it in, or unscrewing it and adding oil to the impeller area.
Thoughts? Proper fluid extractors by Pela and the likes don't appear to be that easily attainable locally, so hoping one of these methods is a good option. Cost is low enough that if it fails for me, I'm not particularly worried, and can probably find other uses at some point for what I end up buying.
(Yes, they have their generic ones, but at a similar or higher cost than a name brand, so no thanks, I'd rather go through the hassle of sourcing a name brand from elsewhere).
The usual implement to do this of course is usually a fluid extractor by the likes of Pela, Mityvac , Motive, etc. Lowest cost model of any of these are typically $60.
I am looking for something I can put together locally, and at a reasonable cost. I have come up with a few options, and would like to hear of others' successes or failures with these or similar products. Should whatever I end up using to do my first topside oil change fail, I will simply defer to going underneath as usual.
1. 1.6L Gas/Oil extractor from Princess Auto: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/gas-oil-extractor/A-p8469512e
One reviewer on the site used it to draw out ATF. Downside that I can see is that the small capacity means stopping a few times to empty the reservoir.
2. Basically option 1, but now I take the tank from a garden sprayer such as this one: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/multi-purpose-sprayer/A-p8547499e
I simply substitute the small tank of the extractor with the one from the garden sprayer. Looks like the extractor is basically a giant cork. I need to confirm this is the case, and it is not threaded in, or of threaded, then the same size as the garden sprayer tank. Assuming I get a full seal one way or another, any downsides?
3. Completely different course of action, using a drill pump, in particular this one: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/self-priming-drill-pump/A-p5770771e
I have read many posts in a variety of forums - different makes and models of cars, and also marine applications for oil changes. Results seem to be mixed, with half saying it works, the other half saying it did nothing. For those who had success with this and elaborated, it seems they pre-prime it with oil, either by pouring/forcing it in, or unscrewing it and adding oil to the impeller area.
Thoughts? Proper fluid extractors by Pela and the likes don't appear to be that easily attainable locally, so hoping one of these methods is a good option. Cost is low enough that if it fails for me, I'm not particularly worried, and can probably find other uses at some point for what I end up buying.
(Yes, they have their generic ones, but at a similar or higher cost than a name brand, so no thanks, I'd rather go through the hassle of sourcing a name brand from elsewhere).