Oil Change-Eeeezeee and faaassst
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:10 pm
There have been a few mentions about changing the oil in the generator and what a pain in the butt it is. I too, dreaded the change because of what was posted and didn't look forward to pulling the generator just for a quart of oil so I looked for a better way. Harbor Freight has on sale for $3.99, a siphon pump kit that has a hand pump, a couple of 1/2" clear plastic hoses. a 1/4" hose, a couple of adapters and even an air pump adapter so you can use the pump to fill balls etc.
Basically all you need to do is cut about a 4'' peice off one of the larger hoses, stick it on the top of the pump and then put in the adapter for the 1/4" hose. Put a large hose on the bottom of the pump and put the end in a recepticle (empty milk container). Put the 1/4" hose in the oil fill and pump away. The oil will not siphon as a liquid like gas or water will and you need to pump the oil out (about two minutes or so depending upon how fast you want to pump) but I swear that it takes longer to get set up(about 10 min) then it does to pump the oil out, put new oil in and close the filler hole, button up the panel and go in and have a cup of tea.
I did run the gen for about 10 min's to get the oil warm and runny and also put the passenger side up on the curb so that the oil would pool towards the filler but it's a heck of a lot easier then moving the gen or screwing around with a turkey baster.
I have seen similar pumps at Checker, Pep Boy and Napa but they were a little more in cost ($6-$10) and we have a Harbor Freight about 3 blocks from home.
This pump can be used to transfer fuel from you tank to a gas can, tank to tank etc. so it is now in a plastic bag in a storage compartment in the van. Probably will be used often to change the oil in the lawn mower, tiller etc. every spring as well.
Hope this helps and if you read this before the holidays, may you partake in the peace offered and also enjoy the holiday foods.
Basically all you need to do is cut about a 4'' peice off one of the larger hoses, stick it on the top of the pump and then put in the adapter for the 1/4" hose. Put a large hose on the bottom of the pump and put the end in a recepticle (empty milk container). Put the 1/4" hose in the oil fill and pump away. The oil will not siphon as a liquid like gas or water will and you need to pump the oil out (about two minutes or so depending upon how fast you want to pump) but I swear that it takes longer to get set up(about 10 min) then it does to pump the oil out, put new oil in and close the filler hole, button up the panel and go in and have a cup of tea.
I did run the gen for about 10 min's to get the oil warm and runny and also put the passenger side up on the curb so that the oil would pool towards the filler but it's a heck of a lot easier then moving the gen or screwing around with a turkey baster.
I have seen similar pumps at Checker, Pep Boy and Napa but they were a little more in cost ($6-$10) and we have a Harbor Freight about 3 blocks from home.
This pump can be used to transfer fuel from you tank to a gas can, tank to tank etc. so it is now in a plastic bag in a storage compartment in the van. Probably will be used often to change the oil in the lawn mower, tiller etc. every spring as well.
Hope this helps and if you read this before the holidays, may you partake in the peace offered and also enjoy the holiday foods.