Edit: 26 Sept 2022
Still using my original pump, but will need to buy my 2nd replacement hose set as the kinking from various uses wears the hoses out over time. I've only disassembled the pump once for canister cleaning but I generally do not exceed the fluid capacity or use the pump on hot fluids, as directed. Ive resolved to use this for dirty fuiids i intens to dispose of after removal.
After acquiring some education, I bought the brake bleeder hose and I'm getting better, faster brake bleeds all by myself.
This tool has been indispensable in my auto maintenence and has traveled with me all over the US and back home again, allowing for no mess field service. This pump is a worthy investment and you will not regret investing in one by EWK.
***
I should have bought this years ago!
I drive for rideshare and live in apartment building. Oil is relatively cheap but oil changes are expensive, and my local quick oil change franchise sometimes didn't put the care into my that car that I would prefer. While visiting my brother on a cross country drive, I needed to change the oil in my Grand Caravan with the 3.6L Pentastar. I had fresh oil and a catch pan, but didn't want to make a mess in his rental's garage. After reading and article on Jalopnick about oil extractors, I settled on this one based on reviews.
Heres what you need to know:
-For engine or transmission oil extraction, your car needs a dipstick. If you have a more modern car that does not have an oil dipstick then skip this altogether. Most newer cars have what is called "lifetime" fluids for the transmission oil so while there may be no dipstick, there may be a fill port on top of the transmission that you could use the narrowest hose for. Look up your fluid change procedure BEFORE buying this thing to avoid wasting your time and cash. For those folks with an engine oil dipstick, this extractor should work fine if used appropriately. No directions come with the unit; read my full review to understand this. Watch YouTube videos to fill in the gaps.
-This is a vacuum generator, no a pump (more on this later). Ideally, the bottom of this canister should touch a surface that is just lower than the oil reservoir you are trying to drain. There is a maximum operating PSI for this device and I gather that if you are trying to extract at a significant height differential, the pump internals will fail dramatically. For cars on a level surface this won't be an issue but for boats on the water I think your mileage will vary.
-This is more or less the entry level model. EWK gives a very good pneumatic assembly at this price, but the 6L model does not come with the tube storage ($22) or a spout cap ($9). The large capacity models come with one or all these accessories. Since oil should be recycled, and this device should be stored upright, one can live without the cap but I think it should have came with.
-Despite a previous review to the contrary, spare hoses from EWK are available as individual items here on Amazon. They also sell an accessory brake bleeder hose but I dont understand the utility value there in.
-Most of the internals are standard sizes. EWK sends an exploded diagram of the unit's assembly but no definition of part sizes. If you have experience fixing pump housing, overhauling this thing should be a piece of cake.
-Amazon has a generous return policy. Dont buy complex, expensive devices ahead of use. You want to buy this and make sure it works for you BEFORE the return window expires. So plan ahead.
-This is written in the description but not on the paperwork included with the device: DO NOT USE FOR HOT OIL! Though the canister is sturdy, it will warp and deform if the oil is at full temp. To use this efficiently, you want to warm up the car from cold to minimal operating temp (on cars with temp guages, usually this is the line in the center of the temp guage). At 60 degrees F, I would say no longer than 15 minutes.
-There are three hoses included, a small diameter hose with a removable wire to stiffen it. This is likely for cars with transmission dip sticks. A large hose which connects to the canister and then a medium hose which has a coupling to fit on the large hose. For the majority of cars, the large to medium setup down the dipstick tube will be needed. By design, EWK used stiff plastic for the hoses to get them to snake down the narrow dipstick tube into the oil pan. The warm oil will soften the hose to allow you to adjust the location in the pan to ensure all of the oil is sucked out (within reason). Removal of the softened hose is easier than insertion. Once the hose cools, it stiffens back up. The plastic will eventually tire of doing this and you will need fresh hoses. If you store you extractor in some place temperature controlled, I think you could get years of use. If you leave it in a cold garage all winter, and a hot garage all summer, your mileage will surely vary.
-Out of the box, the vacuum valve is set to open. If you pump manually, you'll hear air whooshing out as you pump. Once oil start to flow, close the air valve. Periodically pump to keep the vacuum going. There is a rubber baffle in the pump handle that will vent out. If the handle gets too stiff to move easily, open the air valve in minor increments until the handle moves freely again. Leave the oil fill cap off and the oil filter housing on as you do this. Pull the filter after you drain the oil.
-I was able to drain 5.8 quarts in 8 minutes without breaking a sweat. This device is not a hand pump so much as it is a vacuum generator. The warmed oil should flow freely of it's own accord up the tube and into the canister. If you need to apply great force to this thing to drain your oil, something is wrong. Watch you tube videos or ask a friend for help.
-To this end, siphoning is gravity dependent--this extractor needs to be lower than the oil pan from which you're draining. If you are using this on a boat, keep this in mind. If you cant get the EWK lower than the boat's oil reservoir, you'll end up hand pumping the oil out and this device has a clear operating PSI written on in. I'm sure it is not designed to be used as a hand pump. There are other devices on Amazon for this.
It took me 8 minutes to drain the oil, and 20 min to refill, level off and clean up. My cartridge filter sits up at the top of the engine so all I need was the appropriate filter socket and ratchet, and gloves. I used a funnel to pour the used oil back from the EWK into the jug the fresh oil came in. There is a clearly marked diagonal line telling you to pour slowly whilst keeping the liquid below that line. This is to keep dirty oil from bypassing the overflow cutoff devices and gumming up the pump housing internals. The canister is polished on the inside so oil runs out runs of it pretty easily.
I love this thing. For an urban area, no mess, no ramp stealth oil changes can be done quickly and easily. I can get 6 quarts of Liqui Moly or Royal Purple and a long life filter for less that the cost of one name brand full synthetic oil change at the lube shop or stealership. I reckon that the EWK will pay for itself in about 6 oil changes. Plus I can travel with this exteactor and drop my oil quickly and quietly almost anywhere. I'll go back and buy the cap and enjoy this device. It actually has a lower profile than my storage oil pan so it will fit nicely in the mechanics closet of my apartment. My only regret is that I didn't get one of these years ago!
Feel free to ask questions here and if you don't quite get how vacuum suction works, hit up YouTube. This way you can understand what a fluid extractor is and us not.
| Manufacturer | EWK |
|---|---|
| Brand | EWK |
| Item Weight | 6.58 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 8.27 x 8.27 x 22.05 inches |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Item model number | EB0103 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | EB0103 |
