Changing oil using an extractor on 6 cylinder engines?

[Cees Klumper]

Have searched but no luck finding: is there a way to extract the engine oil from the top of the engine, rather than having to drain it from below? Would like to switch to the extraction method considering the filter is on top of the engine but without a dipstick ...

 

[PDJ]

Without a dip stick hole to the bottom of the sump. I would say there will be more fan and work to get to a route that you could thread the extraction tube to the bottom of the sump, my thoughts would be you maybe able to get it in down the side of the cam shaft through the oil return gallery but that is a lot of work and may cost you a rocker cover gasket as well.

With no dipstick it is probably easiest to drain the oil out of the sump plug as normal.

 

[Cees Klumper]

Sadly I think you're right, I was looking at drawings of the engine and concluded the same. I do my oil changes and other work in the parking lot, so any simplification is welcome. Another disadvantage to the 'dipstick delete'. Oh well.

 

[scootr]

I know, right? I'm not really sure what benefit the dipstick delete is beyond manufacture savings.
It would have been nice to have both the electronic and a physical dipstick

 

[flybobbie]

I run my front wheels up a curb and can just about reach under to remove the drain plug.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I know, right? I'm not really sure what benefit the dipstick delete is beyond manufacture savings.
It would have been nice to have both the electronic and a physical dipstick

I believe BMW claimed it was for "Owner Convenience" or something similar! :roll:

My E46 3 Series had a dipstick and a low-level warning light - a much better arrangement IMO.

 

[firebobby]

I like to see it pour out of the bottom, get the engine hot and then drop the oil. Not a fan of the vac type of oil change.
Are there none of the types of garages where you hire the ramp for an hour and do the work yourself.

 

[Silverstar]

I like to see it pour out of the bottom, get the engine hot and then drop the oil. Not a fan of the vac type of oil change.
Are there none of the types of garages where you hire the ramp for an hour and do the work yourself.

There are but you would have to come to Malaga :lol: Give you an excuse to have a holiday as well I suppose. Not sure about the UK.

 

[road warrior]

Have searched but no luck finding: is there a way to extract the engine oil from the top of the engine, rather than having to drain it from below? Would like to switch to the extraction method considering the filter is on top of the engine but without a dipstick ...

i think your being lazy, do it properly, no pump can remove sediment, and your engine will pay the price of shoddy servicing.

 

[OBwan]

I have used a set of ramps in the past. Turn the wheels all the way to the left then place one ramp in line with the left front tire and drive up on the ramp. It gives you enough room to slide under and remove the pan bolt.
I would never use an extractor. The whole reason you get the car hot is to suspend as much crap as possible and hope the flow out the oil pan drain pushes any of the crap out with the oil.

 

[Cees Klumper]

There is one garage I have been able to find in all of Los Angeles where you can rent space and tools by the hour but it's about 45 mins drive each way, and in that time I can do the work in the parking lot. Extractors are a perfectly effective way to change oil, it's how it's typically done on boats and other engines. It's not a 'crappy' way of changing the oil. But on this BMW it does not appear to be an option, so I'll have to keep doing it the hard way, no prob.

 

[firebobby]

I like to see it pour out of the bottom, get the engine hot and then drop the oil. Not a fan of the vac type of oil change.
Are there none of the types of garages where you hire the ramp for an hour and do the work yourself.

There are but you would have to come to Malaga :lol: Give you an excuse to have a holiday as well I suppose. Not sure about the UK.

I thought the OP is in California

 

[firebobby]

There is one garage I have been able to find in all of Los Angeles where you can rent space and tools by the hour but it's about 45 mins drive each way, and in that time I can do the work in the parking lot. Extractors are a perfectly effective way to change oil, it's how it's typically done on boats and other engines. It's not a 'crappy' way of changing the oil. But on this BMW it does not appear to be an option, so I'll have to keep doing it the hard way, no prob.

I thought you yanks thought nothing of driving a 1000 miles in a day. oke:
A 45 minute drive will warm the oil just right, then a nice drive home again.

 

[Silverstar]

I like to see it pour out of the bottom, get the engine hot and then drop the oil. Not a fan of the vac type of oil change.
Are there none of the types of garages where you hire the ramp for an hour and do the work yourself.

There are but you would have to come to Malaga :lol: Give you an excuse to have a holiday as well I suppose. Not sure about the UK.

I thought the OP is in California

:rofl: :rofl: I forgot about that :lol:

 

[Silverstar]

Interesting video about using oil extractors v draining via plug:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RakLAZIRgwU&t=490s

 

[Cees Klumper]

Right. 100 ml difference between the two methods, which is maybe 1/70th? You cannot get all the old oil out of an engine (+ cooler if any) anyway without doing a complete teardown, there will be some left in various nooks and crannies.