Dipstick oil draining

[JimG]

I've always threaded a small plastic tube down my dipstick to pull out old oil, but the process is pretty slow. I recently discovered on my other boat, that the Yanmar dipstick goes right to the bottom of the sump and I can just connect a larger hose to the dipstick itself, and extract all the oil quickly. I use one of those hand pumped vacuum oil removers, and the differences is 10-15 minutes versus 30 seconds.

Anyone know if the same trick works for an A4 (late model)?

[JOHN COOKSON]

I use a length of aluminum tubing down the dipstick hole with an "X" cut across the bottom for easy flow. If you use a soft plastic tube it can bend around inside trany sort of in a "U"and you will not get as much oil pumped out as possible.

TRUE GRIT

[Ajax]

I use a length of aluminum tubing down the dipstick hole with an "X" cut across the bottom for easy flow. If you use a soft plastic tube it can bend around inside trany sort of in a "U"and you will not get as much oil pumped out as possible.

TRUE GRIT

John-

How many quarts do you usually manage to extract?

[JOHN COOKSON]

John-
How many quarts do you usually manage to extract?

~3 1/2 quarts. Maybe a little less. I can guestimate because I pump the oil out into a gallon plastic jug.*
I tape the aluminum tube to the trany shift lever once I find the "sweet spot" in the trany so the tube stays put and doesn't hop around. Then I pump with my hand pump until I see bubbles in the tubing that goes to the pump. Then I yank the aluminum tube out of the dipstick hole, and while holding a paper towel around the end, get it into the gallon jug and the whole assembly up to the cockpit or on the dock.

TRUE GRIT

*Put the gallon jug in a mop bucket so it doesn't tip over. Guess how I found out.

[zellerj]

I've always threaded a small plastic tube down my dipstick to pull out old oil, but the process is pretty slow. I recently discovered on my other boat, that the Yanmar dipstick goes right to the bottom of the sump and I can just connect a larger hose to the dipstick itself, and extract all the oil quickly. I use one of those hand pumped vacuum oil removers, and the differences is 10-15 minutes versus 30 seconds.

Anyone know if the same trick works for an A4 (late model)?

I have never heard of that trick used with an atomic 4, and since this esteemed group has tried and reported on almost everything, I doubt if it will work. I also use a vacuum oil extractor (topsider), and I found shortening the plastic tubing as much as possible speeds things up.

[BadaBing]

Running the engine ip to opperating temp, thinning the oil in the process, also helps speed the process. Plus, when you inevitably drop something in the okld.okl and need to stick your hand in it to recover the lost thing, its such a nice feeling.

[ndutton]

Do none of you have access to the oil plug below the carburetor? It's 3/4" NPT and a 3/4" 12 point socket fits the square head perfectly. Through it you have a straight shot to the bottom of the oil pan and can fit a decent size pickup tube.

[romantic comedy]

Hanley, I do, I do!! That is what I use.

I use a small hand pump. I am not sure for this year, because the rats ate everything on the boat. See about the pump.

[JOHN COOKSON]

Do none of you have access to the oil plug below the carburetor? It's 3/4" NPT and a 3/4" 12 point socket fits the square head perfectly.

Wish I could get at the oil plug you mentioned.
The engine bed in particular and engine access in general on my Catalina 27 was designed by a naval architect that didn't like his (or her) job.

TRUE GRIT

[ndutton]

Yeah, I know the Catalina 27 is tough. Next time you have the carburetor off you might consider installing this kit from our host:

http://www.moyermarine.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=KTAS_05_90

[tenders]

I am not sure for this year, because the rats ate everything on the boat.

Wait, what? Don't the noxious gas vapors surrounding the A4 kill nearby rodentia?

[JOHN COOKSON]

I use a small hand pump. I am not sure for this year, because the rats ate everything on the boat. See about the pump.

RC
How did the rats get on the boat? (Gross) Do you use rat guards on your dock lines?

TRUE GRIT

[Vermonstah]

Yeah, I know the Catalina 27 is tough. Next time you have the carburetor off you might consider installing this kit from our host:
http://www.moyermarine.com/cgi-bin/s...key=KTAS_05_90

+ 1 for Moyer's oil change kit

First few times I changed the oil, I made a complete mess of it. Now with the Moyer kit, hardly spill a drop.

[BadaBing]

Do none of you have access to the oil plug below the carburetor? It's 3/4" NPT and a 3/4" 12 point socket fits the square head perfectly. Through it you have a straight shot to the bottom of the oil pan and can fit a decent size pickup tube.

On aTartan30 the engine sits at a good angle.leaning back,, not sure how typical this might be for other boat types. Will that oil plug allow.the draining from.the back portion of the pan?

[romantic comedy]

True Grit,

I dont use rat guards, what ever they are. I am sure that the rats got aboard the same way as the lizards, roaches, snakes, crabs, and ants.

I had one 10 years ago and I used poison. It worked quickly and I found him in the bilge, dead. This time, it was worse. The rats ate all sorts of things, including a full antifreeze jug and anchor line.

I used poison again. One dead rat I found in the chain locker, and the other 2 were in the bilge. They head for water after the poison.

Then I smelled a rat, a dead one, that I could not find. I took 3 truckloads of stuff from the boat and hosed the interior. I never found the extra rat, but got the boat cleaned. It smelled for about 2 months, and now it is back to normal.

Now I will keep glue and snap traps aboard. No more rat poison. Just roach poison.