oil change pump - advice from experience please

[tonyleigh]

Second attempt to solicit info. Following some disatisfaction with brass barrelled pump grateful for positive comments based on experience of vacuum flask type inc specific recommendations on make and (mail order) source. Thanks.

 

[boatone]

Surprised you had problems with brass barrelled pump - how did it fail to match up to expectations exactly? May be a technique problem.

boatone@boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[Danny]

I have successfully used a spherical plastic vacumm pump for the 4/5years. It is spherical vessel about 300 dia and clear so you can see what is coming out if cleaning bottom of full tank etc. It has hand pump and a small valve on the plastic tube.
Run up your engine to heat the oil and make it free flowing then insert the thin tube down the dip stick hole. Having previously pumped the vacumm open the valve and leave it to work. All the oil goes straight into the vessel there is no chance of a spill. You have to be patient and will need to repump a few times but while it does its thing you have cup of tea etc. They are normally available in chandlers and are about £35 to £39. The advantage is no mess and can be used to clear inaccessable corners in bilges etc as well. It has a handle to you carry it to the oil disposal point without decanting into another container holds about 8 to 10 litre

 

[hlb]

Cant find the on-off switch!!

Haydn

 

[onenyala]

Brass barrel oil sump pumps
I have found from bitter(oily) experience the following
1) After changing the oil at the end of each season disassemble the pump. Prior to re-assembling for use ‘spread’ the washer with your thumb and reassemble. This will give you suction. If the piston is left in for any length of time the washer is compressed and no suction will be made.
2) Extend the length of the dirty oil outlet pipe using a piece of garden hose. This gives you some scope for movement of the pump without the outlet pipe popping out of the dirty oil receiver.
3) Be very careful not to put too much thin pipe down the dipstick hole. If you get a kink in it you may not be able to pull it out of the sump with disastrous results. I have marked how much to push down the dipstick hole so that it only goes to the bottom of the sump without curling up again. I nearly came to grief a couple of years ago but was finally fortunate in being able to get it out. I had nearly severed the pipe.
4) It has taken me ten years to acquire this knowledge!!
5) Stuart Jones

 

[philip_stevens]

I usually change the oil using a brass oil pump. This year (last week) I decided to do it differently - I took out the sump plug.

After first cutting the side out of a one gallon - sorry metrication rules, 5 litre - plastic can, I slipped it under the sump and below the plug. Remove plug and warm oil cascades over your hand!! But all the oil comes out. None is left as long as in most boats, the engine tilts aft.

Next, I used the section I had cut out, and slid this under the filter, and into the can. Remove filter, and all this goes into the can.

Finally slide this section into the can and remove all for disposal.

Replace sump plug and fit new filter, and refill with oil to dipstick level. Run the engine to slosh the oil around and check the dipstick level afterwards.

No brass pump to clean, and (in my case) no mess as in previous years - except for the oil on my hand!! (Oversight to begin with - lack of rag or kitchen roll so had to use bog roll).

regards,
Philip

 

[aztec]

use latex gloves, from any good motor factors,box is about £5, keep them on your boat it's amazing how usefull they are!,
(and used engine oil ain't good for your skin)

 

[charles_reed]

Re: oil change pump - advice from experience pleas

Yes it's a piggin awful job, some alternatives

1. If you have a sump drain plug use that with a small funnel and pipe to a receptacle lower down the engine compartment.
2. Replace the thin suction tube with the largest cross-section tube that will fit down the dipstick hole.
3. Invest in an electric pump.
4. Plumb in a permanaent pump (seen in an American boat on a Westerbeke) by tapping a pipe connector into the lowest part of the sump and leading that to a pump situated above the oil level.

 

[philip_stevens]

Aztec,
I've learned by my mistake! Next time gloves - and keep my hand out of the way of the oil!!

regards,
Philip

 

[philip_stevens]

Re: oil change pump - advice from experience pleas

Charles,
I am also considering your number 4 item, though, as we had on diesel auxiliaries on containerships, a good stopcock/valve on the engine before the pipe off to the pump. And if you do put a cock in line, put a wirelock on when in the closed position.

A few times the pipes had been seen to shear or crack from vibration.

regards,
Philip

 

[charles_reed]

Re: oil change pump - advice from experience pleas

Yes, he'd got an on/off tap straight into the tapping on the sump and then copper piping from the tap to the pump.

To fit it to my boat means moving the engine - so I'm waiting for either the necessity of an overhaul or replacement of the flexible mounts (they always go on Yanmars)

 

[John_Clarke]

PELA 6000 is excellent

I have used brass pumps for 6 frustrating years. This year I bought a Pela 6000 from Cruisermart for £36.99. It has a capacity of 6 litres and is the clear spherical type mentioned in a previous posting. The oil is sucked out cleanly with no problems and is contained in the sphere to carry off the boat.

The pump creates a partial vacuum in the container and does not come into contact with the oil. It all works very well without any trouble. After 2 brass pumps and a pathetic electric pump all of which took a lot of trouble to prime, this is great.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I've never had any trouble with my 'brass pump'. I don't know if we're talking about the same thing though because I think that the solution as found on my Lombardini is simplicity itself. Easily copied. Replace the regular sump-plug with a banjo-bolt. A flexible hose leads from the banjo to the suction end of a 'brass pump' that is bolted to an engine bracket. The outlet spigot is tapped and has a plug (short bolt and washer). To use I simply remove this plug, slip one end of a length of cheap transparent pipe over the spigot and dunk the other end into a suitable container. (I use empty 2-litre plastic mineral water bottles). This can be placed anywhere convenient. Pump away, replace plug in spigot, put stopper back on plastic bottle and dispose according to your local regulations.
No fuss - no mess. It's so simple really that I fear I must be missing something.


Wally

 

[tonyleigh]

Thanks + response

Thanks for responses - especially following your experience of vacuum type. My brass one was a Jabsco which leaked everywhere covering me with warm oil. Fascinated to learn how my "technique" might be at fault? 60 years of blowing up bike tyres, warming the oil and avoiding kinks is the limit of my low-key expertise perhaps! Aware of "fixed" installations but not appropriate in my case. Also aware of several vacuum tanks at various prices - the posting was to request advice which would allow me to choose. Thanks John_Clarke in particular - I guess I just want to exude the same satisfaction as you have found.

 

[Guest]

Re: PELA 6000 is excellent

The Pella vacuum pump is excellent, will pull out the oil even when cold. If you are using the dipstick tube as the evacuation route it is better to fit the Pella tube over it rather than sliding the very narrow black tube supplied into the sump - hope that makes sense. I notice that 'professional' mechanics all use vacuum pumps for both ease and cleanliness. Another good point is that they don't overfill as they have an automatic cut-off. They are also great for removing that last drop of water from the bilge. I bought mine last year at Earls Court from Compass marine and paid £25 for it -- Money well spent.

 

[JOHNBOY]

I suffered a brass Volvo pump for the last f time. After 3 seasons, its now in the bin with spent oil !!!!!

 

[tonyleigh]

Re: PELA 6000 is excellent

Thanks. Cruisermart's website is down as they have recently been taken over but have ordered one a few mins ago through a local chandler - bit more than £25 though

 

[ditchcrawler]

Pela 6000 works really well.Make sure oil is warm.Mine cost £24.95 from Compass Watersports mail order plus postage.

 

[oldvic]

12 v evac pump diesel? pls help

Second attempt to solicit info. Following some disatisfaction with brass barrelled pump grateful for positive comments based on experience of vacuum flask type inc specific recommendations on make and (mail order) source. Thanks.

Hlo,

I have a maxi 95 from 1975 and have been trying to find a pump to empty the diesel tank. I understand there are diff. pumps but would prefer one that I do not have to pump myself. Great if you would have a picture and mark/seller online.
Also there is a "hatch" on top of diesel tank to the side of the in-let of diesel, dia 15 cm with a circle of bolts round the circumference. No matter how many times I turn the bolts it is not possible to lift it up and get to the hole under, so as to be able to put the suction of the pump into the tank. Can you help?

looking forward to experienced anwers