 "Perfect" | 2009-11-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3V8SCHPA61S1P |
| I've been using this for over 2 years now and makes oil changes so easy and clean! love it! |
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| "Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator - Works great on Mercedes" | 2009-11-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: ATRPUGMKFC4SD |
I used this unit to change the oil on two relatively new vehicles: a 2008 Mercedes C350 and a 2009 Nissan 370Z. The unit comes almost fully assembled. Only the hose assembly that goes into the dipstick tube needs to be assembled. Mine showed up with the evacuation valve open, which obviously must be closed before vacuum can be achieved. Just flip it over to close it if yours shows up open as well. There is a slight quality assurance issue: there are four screws at the top that must be tightened "periodically" to assure vacuum. One of the four screws on my unit will not tighten. This is not good...though the unit still functioned as reported, at least for one oil change.
For those who are concerned that not all the oil will be evacuated from the engine, please read on. The unit performed as expected on the Mercedes C350, though you will have to periodically pump the unit several more times throughout the process. In all, I probably pumped 50 times. Not excessive and probably some good exercise anyway. I pulled about 8.5 quarts from the engine and refilled with the same amount of fresh Mobile1 0W-40 oil. This brought the dipstick reading to slightly over the halfway point between the "min" and "max" marks. Since the filter assembly is on top, changing the filter was a breeze. The entire process took less than fifteen minutes.
The 370Z was a different story. I noticed that the evacuation tube seemed to hit one point inside the engine, then, if I exerted more pressure, I could get it to go in significantly further. I figured the deeper the better, so I pushed it in as far as possible, and then pulled back by about 1/4 inch. I started the evacuator and, as before, had to pump several more times throughout the process (maybe I'm just impatient). However, this time, the oil stopped coming out when only about four quarts had been evacuated. I pumped some more but no more oil would flow out. I pulled the hose back to the first 'stop' and tried pumping again. No more oil. That means that one quart was left in the engine (compensating for the small amount probably inside the oil filter, which remained on the car, though I had previously loosened it slightly). I had to raise the car on some RhinoRamps(TM) to drain the oil the old fashioned way. Doing so, I was able to get the last quart out and change the filter.
I know that Mercedes recommends the evacuation method for oil changes. When I paid the local Mercedes dealer more than $240, if memory serves, for the "initial service," (which didn't consist of much more than the oil change and refilling of fluids), I saw them use a similar device to change the oil. Maybe Mercedes designs their engines/oil pans to allow for complete evacuation this way. Obviously, Nissan does not.
The device is of a good design. Looking at it, though, I am not quite sure how many oil changes I will get out of it before it stops holding a vacuum, as it certainly doesn't appear to be designed for commercial use (nor was it advertised or priced as such). The way I figure it, I'm already ahead. If it gives me another three or four changes (that's three or four years for the C350), I will be happy.
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| "DIY Heaven" | 2009-10-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A27A5B1348RD0J |
| I brought 2. One came with a piece out. I glued it back in and it works fine. For all the cars one encounters with out drain holes this item is perfect. So far I used it to drain Transmissions, Differentials, radiators, etc. with no problem. I used the other one to put back Transmission fluid. Probably going to buy more for Differentials. |
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 "Leaks around the top" | 2009-10-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2VHJYIE8SGPCV |
This fluid evacuator leaks around the top cover, both under vacuum and pressure. After taking the cover off it is apparent that the o-ring seal is too small to make up the gaps in the wavy top surface of the cylinder. I will keep it and make it work, most likely with silicone, but that sort of defeats the fluid dispensing function, as I will not be able to thoroughly clean the container without sealing it up with new silicone each time.
The fact that it can be used for pressure or vacuum is good. The pump and associated plumbing works great, just a poor design for the cover seal. |
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| "why dont things work out of the box" | 2009-10-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: A4D9KY6CRM6TW |
| I purchased the Mitvac 7201 Fluid extractor. Out of the box the construction looks solid and it is. Based on another's review I tried it in the house trying to evacuate water from a 2 liter bottle, it took forever. Fortunately I heard a leak where the top cover gets connected to the main tube housing. I was able to tighten the screws on the lid and it worked rather quickly. It only takes a few pumps 5-10 to get all the oil out of my 13hp lawn mower engine. The reverse valve is part of the reason I purchased this model unfortunately pressurizing the system the air leak was much more prevalent. I will probably remove the top gasket and reassemble it with rtv silicon which I believe will fix the issue. There is a plug on the top of the unit that you can open to pour the contents out and that is the way I cleaned out the cylinder. |
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| "Works as Advertised" | 2009-09-29 |
| - Reviewed By caylan |
This is my 2nd Mityvac oil extractor.
My first one died on me after 50+ o/c's.
It sprung a leak in one of the rubber seals & leaked oil when I was suctioning.
But I figured it had saved me enough $ over the years to get a brand new one.
Key always for quick suctioning is to have a warm engine with warm oil (run your car down the street) and open up the oil cap (where you pour new oil into) during suctioning.
This is the best invention ever to save $100+ for those BMW/Mercedes or any oil change at the dealer.
It makes me want to talk about oil on BITOG & to keep my cars longer because of how easy this maintenance is.
I just wish Mitvyvac would sell different sized tubing to work on things like lawn mowers or tractors.
Must have = money saver. |
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