S211 with IL6 engine - oil change

[morzov]

If your car doesn’t have an engine oil dipstick - as my car doesn’t - is there any alternative to changing the engine oil other than via the sump.

I mean can a vacuum pump be used via the oil filler opening or wouldn’t that work?

 

[Bellow]

Unless someone can recommend a safe access port for this engine, I'd drain from the sump plug. As much as I'm an advocate of suction pumps the risk of its tube getting snagged and causing damage on removal is a risk too far for me when in anything other than a straight dipstick tube. I had one snag (via the dipstick) on a sharp edged windage tray and it took a bit of manipulation to free it. That while it was lying across say a cam chain tensioner could have been nasty. Anything less than a clear shot to the floor of the sump has risk.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Yes you can . The dipstick tube is used with a dipstick when the dealers check the oil. So passage down the tube is fine with a vacuum pump tube. It will be there , but capped off .

Don't pass the tube down the engine any other way .

A pela pump tube would be best ,as it's a spring steel construction wrapped in plastic. Others are simply airline pipe, like the ones Lidl sells.

 

[morzov]

Ok thanks- so through filler is a no no.

Didn't think there was a dipstick tube and that oil level was checked via dashboard menu.

If there is a capped off one can anyone tell me where it is?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Ok thanks- so through filler is a no no.

Didn't think there was a dipstick tube and that oil level was checked via dashboard menu.

If there is a capped off one can anyone tell me where it is?

There's a red cap on the left rear of the engine for gearbox. Right-hand side at rear is a black capped tube . Engine oil.

Could be either of these .

 

[Bellow]

Ok thanks- so through filler is a no no.

I wouldn't. Apart from the cam chains likely as not being directly beneath it, when a sump isn't the same depth throughout its length, the shallow end tends to be at the front - ditto the filler. If this prevails on your engine, you might not be able to access the deeper part of the sump.

Didn't think there was a dipstick tube and that oil level was checked via dashboard menu.

If there is a capped off one can anyone tell me where it is?

Follow the tube (when you find it!) downwards and check it at its base enters the engine and not the transmission.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I wouldn't. Apart from the cam chains likely as not being directly beneath it, when a sump isn't the same depth throughout its length, the shallow end tends to be at the front - ditto the filler. If this prevails on your engine, you might not be able to access the deeper part of the sump.

Follow the tube (when you find it!) downwards and check it at its base enters the engine and not the transmission.

Sound advice is also to smell the tip ,once it's dipped

 

[morzov]

Well i'll be damned - thanks. I knew about the transmission dipstick but not the capped off engine oil one - prob because it's hidden under the engine cover.



So presumably I can use that with a vacuum pump?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Well i'll be damned - thanks. I knew about the transmission dipstick but not the capped off engine oil one - prob because it's hidden under the engine cover.

View attachment 146062

So presumably I can use that with a vacuum pump?

Of course. I did , several times .

 

[Stratman]

Sound advice is also to smell the tip ,once it's dipped

Good advice in all walks of life

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Good advice in all walks of life

Especially snooker players who miss the pink and hit the brown.