Performed my second oil & filter change on my wife's XK8 this morning at just over 48,000 miles. It went faster than the first one back in early May but I still grumble about having to raise the rear end higher than the front end in order to drain out every drop of the old oil. I jack up the front end to pull the oil drain plug. Then I lower the front end, move my floor jack to the rear, and jack up the rear end to allow gravity to empty out the oil pan. Then I lower the rear end, move my floor jack back to the front end, and jack it up to change the oil filter and re-install the drain plug. Then I lower the front end and I'm finally ready to pour the fresh oil into the engine....

So essentially that's jack-up, jack-down, jack-up, jack-down, jack-up, jack-down. All for just a simple oil and filter change. Anybody out there have a better and faster way that they can share with the rest of us?

 

How much extra comes out when you raise the rear?

There's a lot of oil in the sump, if it's only a pint or so it's hardly worth the hassle.

I'll bet the dealer doesn't do this.

 

Yes. Just jack up the front only and leave the small bit of old oil in the Engine and fill with new oil to the proper level.

 

When I did mine, I did the following:
1. jack up the front then lower it onto jack stands
2. drained pan and removed filter
3. jack up the rear end to empty pan then lower the jack
4. install new filter and replace drain plug
5. refill oil,start engine and check for leaks
6. jack up front and remove jack stands

This worked for me & may be a little faster.

 

+1

 

I'll bet the dealer pumps it out:

1. quicker
2. cleaner
3. saves removing/replacing the drain plug

Graham

 

So then they have no idea how much they are evacuating?

 

In retrospect, I'm going to stick with my up-down up-down up-down routine. For two reasons:

1. It's worth it to me to get that last half-quart or so of old oil out of the pan.

2. While the rear of the car is in the air for the final drain, I'll take that opportunity to rotate the two rear tires.

So I'll spare you guys from any further whining from me on this particular subject....

 

Yes - it's collected in an external vessel (e.g. Pela or Seago).

Graham

 

Sooooooo how much do they leave in, I suppose is the relevant question?

 

I'd always assumed it would leave more in than a conventional drain with the plug removed but read a thread a while back which suggested it was more efficient.

These devices have been in marine use for ages where sump drain plugs aren't accessible.

Graham

 

I went off to see what the interweb thinks and as with all oil related subjects there are varied opinions.
As long as my oil filter stays on the bottom I'll stick with the drain, if someone buys me a lift I might reconsider.

 

Correct about the marine reference, it's the only way possible for most boats. Pumping may leave a little and the effect that has is open to debate, but I have alot of other things to worry about than the pint or so left in the sump. Bob is the Oil Guy is the site for people who like to discuss the finer points of oil and the debate is ongoing, but unless you're really stressing your engine, the effect of that dilute old oil can't be much. Still. to each his own. I have two diesels and three gas engines to change once/year and the pump is good enough for me.