Oil Change Question - Universal M18

[Bob Ohler]

Our boat is equippd with the Universal M18. There is a red hose that comes off the bottom of the oil pan that is intended for connecting to a pump for oil changes. The red hose has a threaded end for making the connection. This is a good idea. In reality, it can sometimes be a messy process... both making and disconnecting from this hose end. My question for those wit the Universal M18, if you have this same oil pan hose intsalled, are you using it or are you pumping out through the dipstick tube?

[Steve Laume]

Bob, I have the same engine as you do.

I have a vacuum tank and suck the oil out of the dip stick tube. It also works for the transmission. It is kind of a pain to have to bring a dedicated pump and tank aboard to change the oil. I was planning to install a pump and questioned the mechanic about the fitting that would replace the pan plug. He talked me out of it with the reasoning that you just don't change the oil all that often.

I believe the hose would have been added by the PO. If I already had the fitting and hose I would mount a nice little brass pump and permanently attach it to the hose. If the hose is just plugged now, you would need a shut off valve close to the engine.

With the pump in place, you might be dealing with a couple of drips from the discharge hose but you could mount a small container under it to stuff the hose into.

All the Beta engines have those oil change pumps from the factory so someone might be able to tell you how the set up works and if there are any problems, Steve.

[craig]

we have the westerbeke 20B-2 which is a similar engine with the same setup for draining the oil. i made up an extension hose from clear vinyl with the appropriate brass fittings. after unhooking the end of the hose from its holder on the front of the engine i add my extension hose(about 16" long) to the original hose and use the end cap to close off the end of the extension hose. then i snake the extension hose down into the cavity below the cabin sole which leads into the bilge. a one gallon milk jug fits down there to catch the oil. patience is required along with a warm engine to get the oil to flow. to get the remaining old oil out i use a thin piece of copper tube attached to a hand held suction gun. the copper tube needs to be bent and goes down the dipstick hole. the suction gun is available at napa and is used to remove differential oil etc. you will need to neck down the pickup tube to match the copper tube. sounds involved but its not too bad. on the other hand changing the oil on this particular engine is neither easy or very satisfying.

craig
cd 27 pelican

[2tocruise]

I have a M18 in my 28. I bought a vacuum tank/pump from moeller a few years ago (they call it an extractor pump). It has made changing the oil almost enjoyable. Sucks it right out through the dipstick; I average one rag (mostly for the filter removal) and about two paper towels per change out. I have no connection with the manufacturer at all, but of the three pumps I've tried for oil change outs it is the only one that doesn't make a mess.

[Bob Ohler]

Great report! Thanks. That's the pump I have and I am going to switch to the dip stick extraction spot instead of the hose coming off the oil pan.

Enjoy Annapolis and the middle Bay!

[tjr818]

I bought a vacuum tank/pump from moeller a few years ago (they call it an extractor pump). It has made changing the oil almost enjoyable. Sucks it right out through the dipstick...I have no connection with the manufacturer at all, but of the three pumps I've tried for oil change outs it is the only one that doesn't make a mess.

Which model Moeller pump did you buy? I have a Yanmar YSM8 and the dipstick opening is pretty small.

[Bob Ohler]

I have the one from West Marine, that I am pretty sure is made by Moeller. I have the 5.7 quart size, but depending onb your crankcase capacity, you might be able to use the shorter / smaller version. Be sure to get your engine up to temp before attempting the oil change. It makes a huge difference.

[Maine Sail]

I made some brass fittings to connect to the sump hose. It gets more of the dirty oil out, on most engines, when compared to sticking the tube in through the dip stick hole..

You can see the connections in this video as well as how the Tempo/Moeller fluid extractors work..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvv7b6jtJwY