Draining old oil from your vehicle’s engine is a task that is dreaded by many car owners because it takes a lot of work. However, with an effective oil extractor, you can transform this tiresome work into a cakewalk!
You won’t have to visit the repair shop every time your oil needs changing because these tools make it so easy that you can do it all by yourself!
It’s fine if you’ve never done it before because we’re here to tell you exactly how to use an oil extractor like a professional! Keep on reading for an in-depth guide!
Why Use Oil Extractors?
You can’t change your old oil without draining the engine of your car, lawnmower, or other motor vehicles. Usually, every time you have to change your oil, you’d have to go to the repair store. This can be a nuisance and a waste of money as well.
But if you’ve got an oil extractor, the whole changing oil process becomes easier. You can completely drain your vehicle’s engine without additional help right inside your own garage! The best thing about it is that you won’t have to raise the car. This eliminates the need to take your vehicle to the mechanic store.
Draining oil is usually a messy task, but that’s been changed with the invention of these fluid evacuators as they offer a far less messy solution.
This machine can be a lifesaver during emergencies where help is hours away. With it, you can save yourself from the trouble by doing everything yourself! This tool comes as a blessing to those who live in the colder climates — because it’s great at extracting oil out of snowplows and snowblowers!
Oil extractors can be a great addition to your garage and help immensely in vehicle maintenance. The only drawback is, in most cases, these things leave about 5% of the old oil in the engine.
Manual Vs Pneumatic Vs Electric
Before we move on, it’s important to know that there are three types of oil extractors that you can use because each one functions slightly differently.
- Manual
The old-fashioned manual fluid extractors use your raw energy to extract the oil instead of relying on engine and electricity. You have to pump manually in order to get the suction started and drain the oil. It’s the cheapest option but also the most tiring. However, you will get some exercise out of it, which is a good thing, right?
- Pneumatic
Pneumatic oil extractors are the most common types in the bunch, as they can be powered manually or electrically. For automatic pumping, these extractors make use of air compressors.
When electricity is unavailable or the air compressors malfunction, the manual mode kicks in so that you can pump out the oil using your hands.
- Electric
The most convenient types are the electric oil extractors that offer quick-draining without any issue. They come with powerful engines that are powered by electricity to offer automatic pumping. You can completely rely on them to extract all the old and unwanted oil from your vehicle’s engine in no time without any manual labor!
Before Getting Started
Before we get to the fun part, you might be asking what you would need to extract oil out of your engine. Well, the good thing is, if you’ve got a decent oil extractor, then you’re all set to begin!
If you don’t like creating a mess, you should get yourself a piece of cloth to clean the oil that might spill out. Trust me, when there is oil involved, some spilling is bound to happen!
Now that you’re ready to get your oil extractor out of the package, start assembling it. Assembling usually means screwing on some caps and connecting certain tubes, which should be pretty easy to do by following the instruction manual.
How to Use Oil Extractor: The Guide
Here’s the entire process for you.
Warming Up the Engine
For making the extraction process easier, you’re going to have to warm up the oil. We mean warm, not hot! That’s because warm oil tends to flow easier without clogging up. So, go ahead and turn your vehicle’s engine on and let it run for around five to ten minutes before turning it off.
Now, the engine oil should be just about warm enough to flow easily without burning your hands. You still shouldn’t touch the oil either way!
The Extraction
- Step 1: Removing the Dipstick
Reach for your vehicle’s dipstick and remove it gently. Make sure to store it safely so that it doesn’t get dirty. The best way is to wrap this thing up in clean paper towels.
- Step 2: Inserting the Long Tube
Your extractor should come in a long tube. See it? Good, now pick it up and insert it into the dipstick hole. Feed it all the way in until you feel it reaching the very end.
- Step 3: Connecting the Electric Oil Extractor
Now, if you’ve got an electric oil extractor, connect the other side of the tube into a container that is disposable. That’s where your old oil will be stored instead of spilling onto the floor.
- Step 4: Forming a Connection
Using a clamp, form a connection between the extraction pump and your car engine. This way, the oil extractor will draw electricity from your vehicle to run.
- Step 5: Starting the Pump
This is the part where you start the pump. Once started, you’ll begin to see oil coming out of your vehicle through the tube and getting transferred into the disposable container. Now, let the extractor run for ten to twenty minutes to completely drain your engine.
How long it takes to drain oil depends on the type of vehicle as well as the efficiency of the fluid extractor itself.
After a while, you’ll notice air bubbles forming on the tube and hear noises that you usually hear when you’re sipping the last bit of soda using a straw. That’s what happens when the machine’s almost done extracting.
- Step 6: Turning the Extractor Off
Now, you can go ahead and turn the extractor off. Take the tube off as well, as you’re all done. Your vehicle’s engine should now be ready to accept new oil!
For Manual Extractor
In case you’ve got a manual extractor, the procedure is almost the same, except you won’t have to connect the extraction pump to an electrical source. Instead, all you’d have to do is give it a good amount of manual pumping to get the suction started!
Finishing Touches
Get rid of the extracted oil that should be in your container. Don’t throw them away but instead try to recycle. Most motor oil stores are more than willing to buy them. Make sure not to harm the environment in any way!
Don’t forget to put the dipstick back into the dipstick hole once you’re all done.
The process of oil extraction should be a piece of cake if you follow these instructions. You can save up a lot of money and time by minimizing the visits to the repair stores as you can do the extracting without relying on external help! Just make sure to use the right tool!
The Right Way to Do It
Although the whole process is very easy, there are some ground rules that you should follow to get the most out of it. The very first thing to do is picking a first-rate oil extractor. If you opt for a trashy product, you won’t be able to drain as efficiently as you want. Besides, it might get ruined after a couple of uses.
It is important to keep patience because the process might take some time to end. You don’t want to half-bake the task because it will backfire in the long run. Make sure the oil is drained completely before turning the machine off or stop pumping manually.
Electrical tools are the easiest to use because they don’t require any manual force. However, they are useless without electricity. So, if you decide to use electrical ones, make sure to keep a source of power ready, especially for emergencies.
Safety Guidelines
It never hurts to be a little bit cautious, especially when you’re working with machinery.
- Remember to warm up the oil before changing because cold oil can clog up and doesn’t flow as smoothly
- Refrain from touching the warm oil because they can still damage your skin
- You can wear safety gloves for saving your hand from getting damaged by an unwanted oil spill
- Always have rags ready to clean the spilling oil
- You would be wise to have extra containers ready in case the container you’re using fills up before the engine’s completely drained
Final Words
Oil extractors are amazing tools that offer a lot of convenience for every vehicle owner. You can easily perform the task of draining oil by yourself, even if you’re a complete beginner. Our extensive “how to use oil extractor” is designed to contain all the information and instructions to help you out in taking the task upon yourself.
Why go to repair stores frequently and waste your money when you can do it all in your own garage? That’s exactly what these tools offer!
