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Oil extractor recommendations?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by web1b, Sep 28, 2011.

  1. GreenClipper

    GreenClipper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2009
    116
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    Location:
    Tulsa, Ok.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Several years ago, (3?) I bought a Central Hydraulics (brand name) 61/4 GAL. Extractor from Harbor Freight. A friend of mine had one just like it for some time and encouraged me to get one. It was bought for mowing equipment, but I was soon using it for all engines I could. There are several sizes of "tubes", (tygon tubing?) which come with the extractor. They are all long enough you don't need to worry about loosing them in the dipstick! They each have a quick attach to the main tubing where the valve is. You put a "quick couple" on the unit, (it looks like an upright air compressor), and connect your air hose to it, and watch the gauge rise. The gauge is color coded and you just make sure it stays in the green, or orange. When it gets to where you want it, disconnect the air hose, and it is ready to work. Stick it down the dipstick tube & open the valve and it pulls the oil out. You see it in the transparent tube, and you will see the vile on the side of the tank rise. This see:......I use it on everything...that I can. The correct size tubing will not go down the dipstick tube on my GMC truck, there is a "lip" or something where the dipstick goes into the block and the tubing will not go past that point. But I use it on my Prius, works well. All these years and it doesn't leak.......No seal problem. It has a tube down the side of the tank which shows you how full the tank is. Years ago it would have been glass, it is now plastic,.....and has presented no problem. Also anything I've ever used the device for I have removed the drain plug on and attempted to see if I could drain more oil out of that engine. Have never gotten even an ounce out of any of these engines, the concern for full extraction is probably why I had not used one long before. To each his own..... But for me, I do my own service work, and anything I can do to make it easier on myself I will do, if it will do the job like I think it should. I take it to WalMart, or where ever when it starts to get full, to empty it. Usually only every six, to nine months. Oh, BTW, it is on wheels, and has a handle. All it needs is a little space in the garage. And yes it is more expensive than these little handheld, & hand pump versions. But then I've got a lot of engines to use it on, even w/o my GMC.:D