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MityVac For Oil Changes

872 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  streetrodracer
Has anyone tried to change their oil using the Mityvac ? I have one that I use on my Mercedes, the 7201 series I believe ( they recommend doing it this way through the dipstick ) and tried it on my 2002 VSRCA and it seemed to pull most of the oil out of the engine without me having to remove the drain plug. I have the one that reverses so I can pump the used oil back in the new oil container. If you have not tried and have one it worked really well for me .
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I would do that if I had one. The oil can henrys shops or the like use similar to chage transmission fluid in cars so it will work
But then you're not draining any crud from either the sump, or presumably the oil filter if you haven't changed that either, which means your new fresh oil will quickly become contaminated by what remains of the old stuff (maybe half a litre) and take on the colour of your old discarded stuff. It's your engine but I wouldn't short cut it that way. For an extra 30 minutes, if you're doing the oil change yourself, why take the risk? I've read, on this forum, though that this is how some Harley dealers change oil as it's quicker, and therefore, less costly for them.
Not a fan for same reasons stated. It honestly would take longer to drain it using the mighty vac then just pulling the plug. Heck, you gotta be under there anyway to change the filter. The also is a magnet on the draw plug that should be cleaned off at oil changes as wel
REVO Artwork, in Oils.

The REVO engine is a work of mechanical art and should be respected and cared for as such. My standard is ride the bike, get the oil good and hot, thinned, all stirred up and drain it right away before any suspended particles in the oil fall out of suspension and deposit on the sump. Take an oil sample. Pull the K&P inspectable, cleanable oil filter, clean the rare earth magnet and filter, check for excessive debris and metal, refill with 20/50 Mobil, Motul or ( I prefer ) Amsoil for better corrosion protection and fill it up, start and idle for a few minutes to get air out of the oil system then ride and leak check. Write a new reminder for a 2 year / 4000 mile absolute limit and check oil sample results when received. So would I use a Mityvac ? Not for routine scheduled full oil changes - just wake up 30 minutes earlier, go to bed 30 minutes later, don't be lazy - just do it right ! Having said that, if I were in the mountains riding hard and my oil was getting close to the absolute limit and I wanted 2 or 3 quarts of fresh oil in there just to get me by would I do it ? sure - then I would do a complete fresh oil change when I got back home. Same thing with south Florida JW or any hot, humid place - swapping in a few quarts of fresh oil between oil changes in the middle of summer is a great idea because oil does lose viscosity, lubricity and fresher oil is always a plus. Love ya engine - it will Love ya back - long time ! :blahblah: :D
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They gave you a drain plug. I'd use it as it will do a better job of dumping any solids that collect on the bottom. Some apps have no drain plug so then you have no choice. Besides, you still need to bend over to change the filter and the plug is right there.
Ron
But then you're not draining any crud from either the sump, or presumably the oil filter if you haven't changed that either, which means your new fresh oil will quickly become contaminated by what remains of the old stuff (maybe half a litre) and take on the colour of your old discarded stuff. It's your engine but I wouldn't short cut it that way. For an extra 30 minutes, if you're doing the oil change yourself, why take the risk? I've read, on this forum, though that this is how some Harley dealers change oil as it's quicker, and therefore, less costly for them.
I did change the filter too and it seemed to be more empty and did not leak a whole lot like when I pulled the drain plug , maybe its pulling a vacuum somewhat ? I do not know .
Most vehicles are like that - if you drain all the oil then pull the filter you will get more oil draining back to the sump and out the drain plug. That's more contaminated oil the " mighty vac " technique leaves in the engine. Just don't use it on a complete oil change ! Like Ron says you are one drain plug away from doing it right. Avoiding it is worse than just doing it.
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