Re: suction oil changers

[Jon Cole <nospamjcole@netrail.net>]

I have the Topsider, which Griot's sold prior to introducing this... same
idea.  Topsider is used for marine engines, etc.  Many on the Mercedes-Benz
list - including me - expressed the same concern about leaving sediment,
etc.   George Murphy, resident MB list technical guru, did a comparison
test in which he drained an MB engine via the drain plug, and via Topsider,
and compared how much oil was left in the pan, etc.   To  the surprise of
many, George found that the Topsider actually evacuated more oil than the
usual drain method.  You can get a Topsider from George Murphy (check the
MB list archives for his address etc.) for about $40.  I have one and it
works fine.  Gets a full drain out of my MB, and "98%" out of my Saab (so I
drain via the plug every now & then)(using Mobi 1 in both).     Yes, filter
removal is still the same job as before...  (I have no connection  with
Topsider or George....)

Jon Cole
Arlington VA
'73 Porsche 911T Sportomatic
'89 Saab 900
'94 MB C280
Lurking Audi fan (if the A4q were out when I bought my  C280 I would prob.
have gotten one).

>From: Ralph Poplawsky <ralphp@cellport.com>
>Subject: Re: Oil drain plug
>
>I saw it too.  I guess it probably works, but I would worry that if there
>was any sediment in the pan, it would remain there.  Also, in most cars the
>filter removal would still be messy.
>Ralph Poplawsky
>'91 200TQ
>Changing the oil the old way and it's really easy on this car.
>
>At 07:57 AM 9/8/97 -0400, you wrote:
>[....]
>>Speaking of oil changes, in the latest Griot's Garage catalog, they are
>>advertising an oil "retreiver" (or some such language). This contraption
>>looks like a tall clear cylindrical object with a hand pump and a long thin
>>hose which is placed in the dipstick access hole. Has anyone seen or used
>>this device? The ad shows a man dressed in street clothes, the oil filter is
>>on a towel with a bit of oil (why isn't the oil running all over the
>>floor?), and the owner is happily pumping away and retreiving the oil. Seems
>>too good to be true, about $65 - $70. Any knowledge, anyone?
>>
>>Sean Ford