Easy Peasy self oil change

[BravoXray]

So do Kubotas have 2 drain plugs?

My BX2230 only has one oil drain plug.

 

[Grumpycat]

I am 80, so crawling under is far from easy anymore.
I have used this exact same E-bay pump for several years now.
My MB E350 oil drain plug is a pain to remove, because it is covered by a large shroud, which must first be removed.
Filter is at top front of engine.
Oil change at local MB dealer is $170+.
I can do Mobil 1, with German MANN filter for $49.
Reports I have read, claim that the little pump actually gets all the oil out, just like the drain plug.

One thing Mercedes-Benz does especially well is their dip stick tube run to the bottom of the crankcase pan. Next time try making a fitting to go over the dipstick tube rather than push a tube down inside. Suck all you can out my way, then put your tube down the way you have done in the past. I don't think you will get any more out.

Putting a plastic tube down the dipstick tube is problematic for other makes. Some say it works on my Subaru, others not. One thing for sure the dipstick tube does not run to the bottom of the pan and as a result putting a plastic tube down may curve when it exits the dipstick tube and never reach the bottom.

The problem with the Subaru is the drain bolt is large and angled toward the left front wheel. Oil gushes out. Splashes. Mess. Have installed a Fumoto Valve so now I attach 8" of 1/2" vinyl hose routed into my drain pan then open the lever on the Fumoto. Drains slower but no mess.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I guess no one thing works on every possibly conceivable machine made by mankind over the past 200 years in every country and even individually manufactured machines.But there are some accessories that will work great or good or fair on some of the thousands of different machines made. I've even experienced the same thing with implements/attachments.
I currently own 4 Kubotas and one of them, if not more since I didn't go check the others but recently did the oil change on the MX5400 so remember it does have the split oil pan with 2 drain bolts. I'm thinking my other 3 have single drain pan bolts but I may be wrong, have been before and sure I will be again from time to time.
Anyway I hope a few people will possibly be helped by this information I provided. I also use the battery operated "stick it down in can" fuel pump to transfer my $1 off per gallon of up to 35 gallons in my 5 gallon containers of gas/diesel fuel from Krogers for cars and diesel operated machines. I bought a couple from Sears marketplace sellers for $8 each last year but now least expensive seller is $13 and same one sold by Harbor Freight and multiple other sellers. They work good for auto gas and emptying the 5 gallon container I sit on my hood on the MX and usually can pour from containers into mowers and RTV with the flexible nozzles I have on my 5 gallon containers.
It's like Pat's and other 3ph quick hitch arms that work for some but others don't like em.
I also have learned how to scroll past posts that don't pertain to me and not get offended or even reply to how they don't help me with one of my specific machines. But that's just me and my strange ways and ideas.

 

[RalphVa]

The tube on the DR extractor is fairly stiff, yet it was the one that curved on me on the Mz3. The tube on the Ironton pump has no stiffness. Could easily curl.

 

[check]

My Kubota BX 25 only has one drain plug.

 

[5030]

My Kubota BX 25 only has one drain plug.

Lucky you.....

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've been so impressed with this post and others input that I ordered another one of these pumps for my barn to fuel Kubotas with it instead of hefting 5 gallon canisters up to the hood of my MX.

 

[5030]

I don't know why Kubota puts the fuel cap mid hood. Makes no sense to me. Neither of mine are.

 

[lhocking]

As a prior professional mechanic I would never advise sucking the oil out of an engine unless it has no drain plug. This method will leave sludge and perhaps metal shavings in the bottom of the oil pan. While I understand the mobility issues because I have them, the only proper way to change the oil is to first bring the machine up to operating temperature and only use a box end wrench of the proper size to remove the drain plug. Oil is your engine's life blood, nuf said.

 

[fried1765]

As a prior professional mechanic I would never advise sucking the oil out of an engine unless it has no drain plug. This method will leave sludge and perhaps metal shavings in the bottom of the oil pan. While I understand the mobility issues because I have them, the only proper way to change the oil is to first bring the machine up to operating temperature and only use a box end wrench of the proper size to remove the drain plug. Oil is your engine's life blood, nuf said.

And for marine engines you would do what?
They do have drain plugs.... that are usually inaccessible.

 

[lhocking]

Can't help you there as I have not worked on inboard engines.

 

[fried1765]

Can't help you there as I have not worked on inboard engines.

I had twin marine diesels.
Only way to change oil was to use a vacuum pump.

 

[Grumpycat]

If you have sludge then be thankful it is encapsulating the metal shavings. You are doomed.

There are manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz who routes dipstick tube in such a way it is the ideal oil sucker. Just affix the extractor at the top and turn it on. No tube to insert.

Tested when I owned a Mercedes-Benz and found this technique pulled an additional 1/2 quart the drain plug missed. Never removed the 12 bolts on belly cover again.

 

[fried1765]

If you have sludge then be thankful it is encapsulating the metal shavings. You are doomed.

There are manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz who routes dipstick tube in such a way it is the ideal oil sucker. Just affix the extractor at the top and turn it on. No tube to insert.

Tested when I owned a Mercedes-Benz and found this technique pulled an additional 1/2 quart the drain plug missed. Never removed the 12 bolts on belly cover again.

That is exactly what I do with my current MB E350.
I am too old to climb under,.... and why would I?

 

[shooterdon]

Sucked out the oil via dipstick for years on my MB....heck even the dealer sucked the oil out. I rarely drain the oil from any vehicle via the drain plug unless I have to. My thoughts and no, I am not a professional mechanic, but have some common sense....

If I leave a 1/2 cup of old oil in the crackcase...big deal.
If there is a bit of crap in the sludge it will stay in the sludge or get trapped in the filter.

 

[Grumpycat]

Sucked out the oil via dipstick for years on my MB....heck even the dealer sucked the oil out. I rarely drain the oil from any vehicle via the drain plug unless I have to. My thoughts and no, I am not a professional mechanic, but have some common sense....

If I leave a 1/2 cup of old oil in the crackcase...big deal.
If there is a bit of crap in the sludge it will stay in the sludge or get trapped in the filter.

A straw/tube inserted to the bottom of the crankcase pan will suck any sludge up just as well as opening a simple drain bolt. Perhaps better.

A lot of things about Mercedes-Benz is Rube Goldberg: complex and wonderful for the sake of complexity. But now and then they do something brilliant such as route the dipstick tube to the very bottom of the crankcase for easy and complete oil extraction.

 

[Midniteoyl]

That linked pump must have been from one of the sellers Amazon kicked for cheating, the link doesn't work anymore.