How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

[harrisg]

In a previous post, I read a reference to the garbage bag trick for changing oil. I'm assuming that this is used to drain oil from the bottom plug. On the Volvo Penta AQ125A, I still had some oil in the engine after using a pump out through the dipstick hole last time but I'd like to drain all the oil out this time. Can someone explain exactly how you do it so I don't end up with 5 quarts of oil in my bilge. I did a search but couldn't find the topic.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

How about draining all you can through the dipstick....And then doing the drain plug.....There will not be alot left to drain.....You would be suprised at how much that type of pump gets out...JK

 

[KaGee]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

Don't worry about it. <br /><br />Suck out all you can and add fresh oil.

 

[garycinn]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

Drain/suck it once and put in a hose/transom drain.<br /><br />I just can't imagine that a garbage bag after being emptied can be that good for the environment. There is probably a cup of oil that you aren't going to get out of the bag. Besides that, you aren't going to warm up the oil before dumping into that bag......

 

[trebor0301]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

harrisg The garbage bag works fine.If you already have a pump than start off by using it.I don't have one and found that idea on this site.Not only does it work,but it works great.I use industrial garbage bags but you can double up reg.extra strenth and be safe.I warm up the motor but I don't get too carried away.Never had any problems.As for clean-up I work in the refinery business and can dispose of that type stuff very easy.You can still get rid of it easily.Any garage will usually take your oil and YES even rags and such without any problems.If I already had a pump then I would go with KaGee.Gary has another good idea as well.Whatever you feel comforable with.

 

[rebars1]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

I tried it using a double bag with two sides tied up with string to the manifolds. After draining, I untied it and made sure the bag edges stayed higher then the oil. I also put an extra bag flat on the bilge floor so the oil bag would not catch on anything when I pulled/worked it out. Work carefully and you won't spill a drop. I took mine to a local recycling center. While the pan was empty, I also installed a hose/transom drain for future changes.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

Originally posted by garycinn:<br /> Drain/suck it once and put in a hose/transom drain.<br /><br />I just can't imagine that a garbage bag after being emptied can be that good for the environment. There is probably a cup of oil that you aren't going to get out of the bag. Besides that, you aren't going to warm up the oil before dumping into that bag......

w.r.t. environmental considerations:<br /><br />If you position and handle the bag carefully I'd imagine you could keep most of the oil in the bottom of the bag. What about cutting off a bottom corner to drain it into an appropriate disposal container, then you could 'squeegee' most of the oil lining the bag out of the same hole...Or even cut the bag down the sides and then squeegee the excess off the inside (although that would probably get a bit messy).<br /><br />Or, how about using one of those super heavy contractors bags (cut down to most efficient size) and saving it to reuse for same purpose next time? Seems like they're heavy duty enough that they'd last awhile, and would fold up to next to nothing for storage...<br /><br />Or, pump out the oil, then if you feel like you need to get the last dregs out & have room to access the drain plug, use something small like a quart ziplock bag at the drain plug (don't burn yourself, maybe tape it to a funnel?).

 

[trebor0301]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

I like the idea of getting a "permanent"bag.The ones I use are actually made for asbestos removal.They are really strong.I guess I just never thought about saving it.I'm definatly going to have to remember not to cut the corner off to drain the bag before I put it away for next time.LOL!!

 

[Lou C]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

To me it sounds like a good way to make a helluva mess in the bilge, get one of the better vaccum pumps (forget about the little Stearns electric one, it loses prime too often) and use that. I have found that you have to go thru the vac routine several times, since it will suck to a certain point, get a lot of oil out, but then if you repeat you can get more out. I have been able to get most of it out judging by how much I put in to get a full reading on the dipstick. <br />Those vac marine oil changers are great. I use em to make auto trans oil changes easier (suck out about 4 qts out before dropping the pan and making a mess) and differential oil changes without removing the cover. The best would be to suck out most of it, and drain the rest IF you can get at the drain fitting, but in many boats that is nearly impossible. If you want to do the best for your engine just use the vac pump and do it about 3-4 times you will get enough out. Looking in the oil fill hole on my 17 year old OMC I see nothing but clean oil, no sludge at all so it must work!

 

[J.J.W]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

I think Mercruiser has a quick oil drain system on there newer engines. Instead of a normal drain plug on the oil pan, they have a hose barb fitting in the oil pan. It is connected to a hose that is a couple of feet long. It is also hooked to the bilge plug for the boat. To drain the oil you remove the bilge plug which pulls the hose from the oil pan. Then remove the plug from the end of the hose and all the oil drains out the hose.<br /><br />I think there may be an aftermarket source for a similiar system although I can't remember who makes them.<br /><br />You could make your own with a fitting from http://www.fumotovalve.com/ <br /><br />Of course it doesn't work real well if you keep your boat in the water.<br /><br />Justin

 

[jamesr1]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

hose/transom drain seems like the best idea if you have a drain plug on the oil pan. Where can you buy this product?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

When my pump starts to suck air from the lack of oil to keep it primed.I add another quart of oil and continue evacuating.That gets the last of the old oil out.Charlie

 

[jamesr1]

Re: How to use garbage bag for changing oil?

The hose can be found at http://www.mercstuff.com/page12.htm