Slick tips for oil changes

[MRR]

This is a fairly simple topic but wanted to poll the audience to find ways to work smarter, not harder.  What are your tricks for a "no mess" ("less mess?") oil change??  My Sunstar with Magnum 20 engine is not too difficult to drain engine oil.  I added a Fumoto valve with hose attachment which has made it even easier.  My Sunstar with Command 20 is much more of a pain.  It is difficult to get the socket on as standard sizes don't fit well around the frame.  End wrenches are also a pain to get on.  Once that part is mastered, there is a small opening in the frame for the oil to drain down and through.  As you can imagine, this does not go too smoothly and makes a mess.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have not changed the oil in the Legacy 25 yet.  It looks like the drain plug is fairly easy to access but not sure how easy it will be to drain without a mess.  Not enough clearance to put a Fumoto valve based on what I can see.  I have found some success using moldable funnels like this one

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know some guys also use a fluid transfer pump to suck out the oil, but to me that seems to leave a lot of old oil in??  (On a side note the newer push mowers that require turning the engine upside down to drain the oil drive me crazy....at least I don't have to do that with the tractors!!) 

So what are your tricks for a slick, mess free oil change???

[PhanDad]

I’m not sure what a “Fumoto” va le is, but as you describe it, it sounds similar to the Kohler oil drain valve I’ve installed on my Command powered75th.  A post about it:

https://simpletractors.com/forums/topic/62483-drain-plug-size/?tab=comments#comment-499860

The valve works great, but the issue is installing it. To screw it in, you’ll need clearance and with the engine sitting down in the frame you won’t have it.  I’ve installed them with the engine removed.  I suspect the same would be true with the stock Sovereign alive. 
 

[rich_kildow]

I have the little drain switch on my predator, and it helps but wasn't quite what I wanted.  I invested in an oil extractor to use on our fleet of rental boats...changing a bunch of four stroke outboard every fall gets tedious, and I've found it to be a god send.

I actually used it this last weekend on my Simplicities and was pleasantly surprised.  Being of scientific mind and having heard the arguments about missing oil and "sludge" in the engine, I decided to run a little experiment with it:

- Sucked out everything it could get with the thinnest, most flexible tube so I could root around in the crankcase a bit with it.  It took  about 5 minutes on both engines, but it worked.

- Added 500ml of thin synthetic oil

- Drained it as I typically do, measuring what came out.  I actually walked away from the drain and let it drip for FAR longer than most would.

In the 7116, I was able to get 515mL of oil of the drain plug.  In the 7122 (Predator) I got 510mL of oil out.  Both samples of returned synthetic looked all but new.  If you are the type of guy that leaves the oil draining over night, with the correct wheel elevated so as to flow everything to the drain plug, maybe an extractor isn't for you.  I will NEVER look back and will happily use one whenever available.

I bought one on Amazon with a 15L reservoir, just so I could go do all the boats in storage in one shot.  Make sure you get one with multiple extraction tubes and the brake bleeding adapter is a nice plus.  Onboard storage for the oil tubes is a must, but I wouldn't sweat getting a pneumatic one.  Mine is pneumatic or hand pump and it only takes 5 or 6 quick pumps to establish enough vacuum to pull all the oil out.  Hooking it up to air seems to consume more air than it is even remotely worth and isn't worth a cycle or 2 of my compressor...and it is 60 gallons.

[MRR]

45 minutes ago, PhanDad said:

I’m not sure what a “Fumoto” va le is, but as you describe it, it sounds similar to the Kohler oil drain valve I’ve installed on my Command powered75th.  A post about it:

https://simpletractors.com/forums/topic/62483-drain-plug-size/?tab=comments#comment-499860
 

Thanks for weighing in. I was not aware of the Kohler option. That’s good to know about. The Fumoto is similar but somewhat different. I have one like this on the Sunstar:

Although while looking for a pic I found they have a newer design which might work better for the Legacy:

[MRR]

44 minutes ago, rich_kildow said:

I have the little drain switch on my predator, and it helps but wasn't quite what I wanted.  I invested in an oil extractor to use on our fleet of rental boats...changing a bunch of four stroke outboard every fall gets tedious, and I've found it to be a god send.

 

Thanks for sharing your input and your data!  May need to rethink shying away from an extractor….

[Justplaintim]

On the triads I like to use a boiler valve and keep a bolt hose clamped in the end just in case the valve opens.    

[AllisChalmers716]

Neat idea Tim.

-Tommy