replace drain tube/banjo fitting with drain plug?

[kerk fisher]

Does anyone ever replace the oil drain tube/banjo fitting and replace with a standard (metric 12) drain plug?  Oil change then through dip stick   Thanks, Kerk

[Ron Hill]

Kirk : Don't know of anyone that did what you asked.  I'll guess why is that it wouldn't really help as you can't get much of an oil catching container under the low oil pan.

I recommend to anyone that removes the oil pan on an M25, M25XP & M35 engine, to move the banjo oil fitting to the rear of the oil pan and fill the old hole with a plug.  Then you'll be able to get 99% of the oil out when you change it.   A thought

[Stu Jackson]

Kerk, your suggestion could be considered as "going backwards" because many of us started out using the dipstick method and then "advanced" to using the built-in larger hose.  The reason is that the larger hose makes it easier to remove the oil.  There was also a thread on another boating forum recently where the skipper lost the extraction tube INSIDE the dipstick!  Definitely NOT good.

What I did was to buy a fitting at a hardware store that matched the threads on the oil pan drain hose and connected that to the end of my hand pump hose.  It makes oil changes very easy.

If you want to try your method, I recommend that you simply try using the dipstick BEFORE you remove the hose, to see if it works for you.

Your boat, your choice.  

[cmainprize]

I have considered moving the drain plug to the rear of the pan to try and get out more of the old oil.  Anyone care to speculate how much of the old oil I can't get out?  And If I remove the pan would I need to change the pan gaskets or are they reuseable.

[Stu Jackson]

My experience is that you get 3 of the 4 quarts out during any oil change.  That's more than enough for me with regular oil changes, and does not warrant, for me at least, making the change.

[Steve W10]

Hey Kerk, I was thinking of doing the same thing.  Never been able to use the current set-up effectively - probably the pumps I've tried.  I've just been lining the catch basin with a garbage bag and then using two 1 litre jugs cut in half to drain the thing.  Generally pretty messy.

Wonder if anyone has a proven pump to use with the existing hose?  Brand? Part number? anything?

Steve

[Stu Jackson]

1.   I've just been lining the catch basin with a garbage bag and then using two 1 litre jugs cut in half to drain the thing.  Generally pretty messy.

2.  Wonder if anyone has a proven pump to use with the existing hose?  Brand? Part number? anything?

1.  That's the OLD way, written up by Herb Schneider in 1987!

2.  Try this:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4518.msg29356.html#msg29356

[Ron Hill]

GUYS : The only reason that I mentioned to move the drain plug is IF you had to remove the engine or oil pan -to do it then. 
Otherwise I'd just be satisfied on getting 3+ qts of the 4 qts out during an oil change!!

Most if not all oil pan agskets that I've seen are ONE time use!!   A few thoughts

[Steve W10]

Thanks Stu.

By this autumn (next oil change) I'll make sure to get a pump as suggested.

Ron, I totally agree; I'd not do that unless pulling the engine.

Steve

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

Another alternative is to buy a case of beer and see how many buddies you can get to stand up by the bow to get the required tilt of the oil pan.   

[Jim Hardesty]

To change the oil I use a vacuum pump with a built in can.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=304503&langId=-1&searchKeyword=big+boy

Just take the cap from the hose.  Screw on a barbed adaptor from a hardware store.  Hook up the hose on the pump.  A few pumps and the oil is out.  Best part is that nothing needs to be cleaned, no oil goes through the pump.  Just be a little carefull with the hose and carry the can of used oil to be recycled.
Everyone has their favorite way to do things.  Just thought I'd share mine.
Jim