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TOPSIDE OIL CHANGE

 
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Henry



Joined: 03 Apr 2001
Posts: 2878
Location: NYC

PostPosted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 10:26 pm    Post subject: TOPSIDE OIL CHANGE Reply with quote

Briefly. Of course I change oil by driving my vehicle onto and up a series of 3 wooden blocks, extending the underside access by 6" to a total of approx. one foot; thus, sufficient and safe for me to comfortably remove the plug and drain the oil etc..

However, once a year I am in NYC for inspection and it is impossible to do this on the street of Manhattan, where I live, and it also is quite awkward to store the required lengths of 2"X6" lumber.

All of which brings to BMP and the LIQUIVAC TOPSIDE OIL CHANGER. I really do not want to bring my beloved to a local specialist garage with a lift.
Last year the dip stick was partially inserted following the job. I really, really, got my issues with this. Wish I didn't but I do not easily trust.

So...while realizing that perhaps the bottom gook might not all be removed, that gravity still doesn't go up...that this gadget, machine, what you call it or even SOLUTION might suffice for one oil change a year. And that the 45- or so dollars it cost is about as much as one trip to a garage that repairs BMW's, in Manhattan, and that I'd very much like to give this little or any business to...BUT can't put a dipstick fully back in.

In short...is there anyone out there with experience with this kind of thing.
And what's your opinion of it. Remember, this is a once a year event. An issue of lost trust. A matter of compromise.

When answering please (a slight exaggeration, but only slight) think of me on my back, with car raised, changing oil in the middle of Times Square.

And try not to laugh...it's very close to truth.
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walshja



Joined: 03 Apr 2001
Posts: 1139
Location: guilford, ct, usa

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hey Henry

I use this for my oil changes:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JFJM14/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000AXBO5&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0RN5FW929Z377DBT359R

and love it !! I can change my oil and filter in about 15 minutes, no exaggerations, and that includes cleanup !!

no need to ever get under your car again for an oil change.

and seeing you in Time Square changing your oil must be a sight to see !!!
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joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

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Henry



Joined: 03 Apr 2001
Posts: 2878
Location: NYC

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 4:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks so much, Joe. Well, I am close to Times Square...12th Street and 5/6th Avenue. Yeah, ride the car up onto the blocks, laying on my back, middle of the city...lots of pedestrian and truck traffic. I should sell viewing tickets.

Anyway, I shall order your suggested product. It's larger and appears more durable. Is it like I feed the flex tube down into the dip stick hole till I (gently) feel that I've hit bottom? Do you remove the filter or open that first?And, finally, what about any crap in the bottom...is that worrisome to you. I just might be tempted to make this a 100% all season thing and buy one for New Mexico as well. During winter I usually wait for a warm afternoon.

However, I do know that you keep your beautiful convertible 100% and that's that.

Again, thanks...driving back west sometime after the 11th of November and the annual inspection. This year I found park and lock garage New Jersey for 160- total and did not street it. I can manage this much. I think the car prefers to be garaged...out of the rain and stuff. Always starts up nicer when inside.
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PJK



Joined: 14 Feb 2002
Posts: 1829
Location: Shingle Springs, CA

PostPosted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some shops are using this method now. I bought my lift a couple of years ago from a shop where they wanted to free up some real estate to install top side fluid changing systems.

Phil
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walshja



Joined: 03 Apr 2001
Posts: 1139
Location: guilford, ct, usa

PostPosted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Henry, the only reason I would recommend my product is because it holds over 7 quarts, which is perfect for BMWs, since we have so much oil in our cars.

and yes, the tube is made of strong plastic, and you just feed it in the dip stick tube until it bottoms out. Start pumping the evacuator, and maybe 5 minutes later the car is empty of all the oil. While the oil is pumping out that is when I change the oil filter. I don't even get dirty doing this job !!

When I'm done, I empty the dirty oil into the containers the new oil came in.

I have not worried about crap building up in the oil pan, as I think it would get sucked up, and I change my oil frequently enough so I'm hoping there is no crap !!

Thanks for the comments on the convertible, 209k miles and counting !! just replaced my first alternator at 205k miles, can't complain too much about that.

My car is garaged and it really makes a difference. Since I bought my MG Midget 2 years ago, and kicked my wife's 528iT outside, her car is deteriorating much quicker than my garaged 325iC.

I want to hear your feedback after your first oil change, and have a safe trip back west . . .
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joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

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Henry



Joined: 03 Apr 2001
Posts: 2878
Location: NYC

PostPosted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Went to E-Bay, as you suggested, and bought the same product. Will let you know when I change the oil. Thanks for the tip. Henry
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Henry



Joined: 03 Apr 2001
Posts: 2878
Location: NYC

PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lazy me got to changing the oil today. Found a spot in front of my building and did the deed. All I have to say is that the job went quickly. Really fast. It was a clean job, not a drop dripped. Emptied the container into the 5 quart container, handed the used oil to the Super of my building who proceeded to dump it into the oil tank that heats the place and provides us with hot water. Nice.
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Henry



Joined: 03 Apr 2001
Posts: 2878
Location: NYC

PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lazy me got to changing the oil today. Found a spot in front of my building and did the deed. All I have to say is that the job went quickly. Really fast. It was a clean job, not a drop dripped. Emptied the container into the 5 quart container, handed the used oil to the Super of my building who proceeded to dump it into the oil tank that heats the place and provides us with hot water. Nice.
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walshja



Joined: 03 Apr 2001
Posts: 1139
Location: guilford, ct, usa

PostPosted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

EXCELLENT !!!

Amazing how easy and clean this job becomes with the pump. There should never be a reason why you didn't change the oil on-time with this device.

Glad it worked out Henry !!
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joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

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PJK



Joined: 14 Feb 2002
Posts: 1829
Location: Shingle Springs, CA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have heard that recycled engine oil becomes fuel for ships. It looks like you shortened the process. I would have thought that oil furnaces would be somewhat fussy about what you burn in them but I guess it works. I mix my crankcase drainings with sawdust and /or fireplace ashes to a mix about the consistancy of bread dough and pack it into old milk cartons and use them for fire logs. Since the supply is limited and I'm not sure what it might do the fireplace afterburner (non-cat) I just use them for starting the fire. If the fireplace had a cat (some do) I think I'd be afraid to use my recycled oil logs.

Phil


Henry wrote:
Lazy me got to changing the oil today. Found a spot in front of my building and did the deed. All I have to say is that the job went quickly. Really fast. It was a clean job, not a drop dripped. Emptied the container into the 5 quart container, handed the used oil to the Super of my building who proceeded to dump it into the oil tank that heats the place and provides us with hot water. Nice.
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