[robertth]

I have a minor leak that spreads across the bottom of the oil pan caused, I think, because the wrong type of gasket was used at the last oil change.

The place that did it said that they would be willing to change the gasket. They said they could do it without draining the oil by applying a vacuum to the oil fill tube and I guess blocking off the dip stick hole so that the oil doesn't come out while they change the gasket

Has anyone ever heard of this being done successfully? Can the vacuum cause any damage to any systems in our 7.3 engines?

Bob

 

[Kanman]

Which gasket are you talking about?

 

[robertth]

Its the one between the oil pan and the drain bolt. It is supposed to be one of those copper washers but they used something else, either rubber or some kind of fiber one.

 

[arisley]

Let em try, stay and watch. If too much leaks out make sure they replace with the right oil. Should be fun to watch. If they fail, it is their mess not yours. Check oil when finished after a few minutes.

 

[robertth]

I kind of agree with you, it would be interesting and if they blow it I get some fresher oil.

But isn't there maybe something in the oil system which could be damaged by all the pressure that would be generated by applying enough of a vacuum to hold in the oil? It seems a little scary. They say they have done it on cars, but there they only have to hold back maybe 5 quarts. I would think maybe the reverse vacuum pressure it would take to hold up 15 quarts could have an adverse affect somewhere else in the oil system. No?

 

[arisley]

Czn't thinj of anything, but then, I can't spell either.

 

[budman451]

The old vacuum trick works very well, done it on cars with 5 quarts and up on some bigger hydraulic systems with 40+ gallons of oil. Don't really lose much, if any oil, and being the crankcase vent is open, and with the hole from the drain plug, the vacuum created in the crankcase will not harm any seals.

Buddy

 

[NCHornet]

Yes, it does work, just check your oil level before you leave. Better yet, get the Fumoto valve and change your own oil!!! I have read to many horror stories from these Jiffy type places, I have done all my own oil changes for years, gives me a chance to inspect other areas under the truck.

 

[Swellmel]

I tried the shop vac to the oil filler once and only once on an oil change on my old truck, they say it holds the oil in the engine with the drain plug out and it does, what I didn't expect is after I removed the drain plug then turned off the shop vac...
FOUR gallons of oil had a HEAD PRESSURE COMMING OUT!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gifabout three gallons did stay in the drain pan and the inside of the hose for the shop vac will never rust (Yea I know its plastic) FUMOTO FUMOTO FUMOTO