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  • DIY Fluid Extractor

    jfthunder

    By jfthunder

      • Year: (unspecified) Brand: (unspecified) Model / Trim: VLX Cost: $0-$249 Engine Type: Monsoon 335
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    In my quest to reinvent the wheel and after reading so many negative comments on a variety of fluid extraction units, I designed my own.

    Using PVC pipe, caps and some brass fittings this is what I came up with...

    IMG_8237.thumb.JPG.635b8b2ba58df1d5bb9b429a1f471af4.JPG

    I used and inexpensive 2.5 CFM vacuum pump from Harbor Freight which you can find for around $85.00. I already had the pump which I use for other things but it was this that started the gears turning.

    I used 1/4" tubing and 1/4" barbed MIP (All 1/4 NPT threads) for the vacuum and extraction lines. I drilled and tapped with a 7/16" drill bit and a 1/4 NPT tap.

    IMG_8253.thumb.JPG.ac30e167defcd796828224f9e2f0b798.JPG

    IMG_8254.thumb.JPG.b7180e290343dfa3372c1cae8b542d1c.JPG

    IMG_8255.thumb.JPG.b35b9f1d4cd4e3441567c580d4727560.JPG

    I added a 1/4" FIP barbed fitting to connect to the factory drain hose on my Malibu as seen below...

    IMG_8248.thumb.JPG.a80053d892e5ca8ed9b5b770c4d40983.JPG

    On the top I have a 3/4" ball valve for draining the tank with a brass hose cap for cleanliness more that anything. This sits on a 2" to 3/4" threaded PVC reducer and is connected to a 4" to 2" adapter.

    IMG_8252.thumb.JPG.9cfe13f1e255000db64e1f5289b4f36a.JPG

    The pipe is 4" PVC with a flat bottom cap.

    The results were outstanding! I drained the engine in about 12 minutes with no mess and not a drop of oil anywhere...even when I drained the tank. Keep in mind the engine was cold and I was pulling though a 1/4" hose, up about 4 feet of elevation. I know the unit can move much more volume because I can shut off the vacuum pump and the residual vacuum in the tank will keep pulling oil for an extended period of time. This still far outperforms most store bought systems in the current configuration. Next I will be changing to a 3/8" i.d. barbed fitting, on the fluid side only, to match the factory hose and I will be adding a hydraulic quick connect so I can switch back to the 1/4" tube for the lawnmower, trimmer etc.

    I suspect that if I had the hose running through the bottom of the hull with a 3/8" hose l, I could drain it in half the time or better. For comparison I also drained the transmission in about 60-90 seconds.

    The best part is this unit is serviceable with parts available at any hardware store! No special fittings or connections and it can be adapted for many other engine or machinery as long as what you are extracting is compatible with the tank and hoses.

    IMG_8244.JPG

    • Like 6
    • Thanks 1
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    Recommended Comments

    Kaneboats

    Kaneboats 32

    Posted

    Were you worried about the pump sucking the lines closed or were you pretty confident the 2.5 CFM pump would work well with those lines?  I wonder if I would need heavier hose in the FL heat that would probably soften them.

    jfthunder

    jfthunder 71

    Posted

    Excellent question. The vinyl tube I used was a 1/4" i.d. and 3/8" o.d. so it has some decent wall thickness for the size of tube. I also use this tube for other projects so I knew it would work for my scenario. 

    To your point, I would look at a reinforced tubing or a HDPE tube if you want to go with a much larger i.d. tubing or, at least, pay attention to the wall thickness. HDPE will be stiffer and not drape as well so another option that is semi flexible and will be moderately drapeable is LDPE. 

    Most of the tubing available at your local hardware store up to about 1/2" i.d. will not give you problems. Look at the tubing and if it is thin wall or easy to collapse with your fingers, it will collapse under vacuum. Full vacuum is one atmosphere or roughly 14.7psi. 

    I put a few illustrations below...

    Thin wall tubing- you can see how it is distorted sitting under its own weight. I bet you could collapse something like this with no effort...

    IMG_8258.JPG.afa7d4530121252a1511bb09322694fc.JPG

    Thick wall tubing...

    IMG_8260.JPG.2b8c884adcd3ca9a8ee36bd99be87879.JPG

    Way more than you asked for but I hope it helps!

    • Like 2
    levic900rr

    levic900rr 1

    Posted

    This is awesome. I wish I hadn't bought an impeller pump extractor so I could build this :)

    ryan

    ryan 8

    Posted

    I subscribe to the change your oil before winterizing philosophy. ...   so thanks again for this post.   I'm putting together a parts list now.

    Gbracer

    Gbracer 9

    Posted

    I  made one the other day also  had a vacum pump from past Ac work I used to do.

    Made mine 5' tall with the same fittings ect.

    work well used 1/4" hard plastic tubing from HD took a while to suck cold oil out of 20' of hose do not have to put unit in boat and risk a spill.

     

     



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