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mb230s
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SWFL
Vehicle(s): G-less for now, vintage MBs, FJ40
| OT - my MityVac broke
I have the 8.8 Liter MityVac Fluid Evacuator Plus - I think the model is 7201.
When I attempting to use it today the fluid I was trying to extract started leaking out of the extraction/delivery valve. Hoping to get a project finished Sunday. Has anybody ever had this problem and will common hardware plumbing parts fix it or do I need a specialty repair kit?? Will call the company Monday if i can't fix it Sunday.
Thanks! |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: OT - my MityVac broke
mb230s - 4/17/2010 10:04 PM
I have the 8.8 Liter MityVac Fluid Evacuator Plus - I think the model is 7201.
When I attempting to use it today the fluid I was trying to extract started leaking out of the extraction/delivery valve. Hoping to get a project finished Sunday. Has anybody ever had this problem and will common hardware plumbing parts fix it or do I need a specialty repair kit?? Will call the company Monday if i can't fix it Sunday.
Thanks!
I had lots of leaking problems with my 7201. The company is pretty good about providing parts:
1-800-992-9898 or http://www.mityvacparts.com
That being said, I got sick of fooling with it; and replaced it with the pneumatic/compressed air operated version (7300). Much simpler and better design, and a heckuva lot less work. |
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03-Gwagen
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s): CLK63 Black Series, 2018 G63, 2016 GLE300d
Posts: 888
| RE: OT - my MityVac broke
I had broken handle on my mityvac.
I emailed them through their website and within a couple of days, I had two brand new mityvacs at my door - no charge.
I couldn't believe it. |
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mb230s
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SWFL
Vehicle(s): G-less for now, vintage MBs, FJ40
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
I fixed it. There is a valve that is suppose to keep fluid from flowing into the suction/pressure system. I was at the bottom of the tank disconnected. I re-attached it with a bit of glue, cleaned all the gunk out that had gotten where it shouldn't have been, and replaced some o-rings. I also noticed that the pickup tube didn't seat very tightly. I added some silicon (probably should have used RTV but all I had handy was silicon) just to tighten that up. Seems to work well now. Testing on the real deal later. I'll probably stop about a liter short of full in the future to prevent problems if that valve falls off again.
Dutch - the problem w/ the 7300 is portability. If I only used this in my garage it would be great but I change the oil on boats, ATVs, etc that aren't in my garage. My compressor is too big to haul around and requires electricity.
Edited by mb230s 4/18/2010 11:56 AM
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03-Gwagen
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s): CLK63 Black Series, 2018 G63, 2016 GLE300d
Posts: 888
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
Costco has the pneumatic/manual mityvac on sale for $80 including shipping.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11497534&whse=BC&N...
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BlueG
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2009
Location: DC
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 714
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
What do you guys use the vac for? Differentials? |
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MiN
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Alpujarras, Spain
Vehicle(s): No cars, at all.
Posts: 555
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
I use it for sucking out engine oil when doing a service oil change. I've also used it for sucking out transmission fluid, prior to the final drain from the gearbox sump plug. |
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BlueG
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2009
Location: DC
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 714
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
Engine oil? Why not take the drain plug off? It drains in about 3 minutes without any special tools and its perfectly clean and contained in your drain pan. I always replace the crush washer but I don't even know if that is necessary (I just bought a ton of them real cheap).
When you vacuum the oil out, if you pull the oil drain plug will any oil come out or does it vacuum the bottom of the oil pan clean? |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
BlueG - 5/2/2010 9:33 PM
Engine oil? Why not take the drain plug off? It drains in about 3 minutes without any special tools and its perfectly clean and contained in your drain pan. I always replace the crush washer but I don't even know if that is necessary (I just bought a ton of them real cheap).
When you vacuum the oil out, if you pull the oil drain plug will any oil come out or does it vacuum the bottom of the oil pan clean?
Using the MityVac, you could basically change your oil wearing a tuxedo and not get dirty. The suction method is also (someone will correct me if I'm wrong) the prescribed method by MB, and is the method used at the stealerships. You also don't have to remove the drain plug and possibly forget putting in a new crush washer (or over/under tighten it).
Many have reported here and on other auto forums that they consistently get more used oil out via the suction method than the draining method.
I like it because it's quick, easy, and no mess. Plus you can use the Vac for a variety of purposes, like bleeding/flushing the hydraulic systems, changing the diff oil, etc etc.
If you do a search you'll find lots of topics about the suction vs draining methods...
http://pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=9984&posts=6...
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BlueG
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2009
Location: DC
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500
Posts: 714
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
Interesting.
I will keep using the drain plug simply because being under the vehicle is a good time to look around and inspect things (I rarely wear a tuxedo during vehicle service). I
I figure its the MB prescribed method of changing the oil because than another couple minutes of labor! Now I am curious to see if MB technicians actually vacuum the oil or pull the drain plug.
I don't think you can get out more than the drain plug because its the lowest part of the engine - literally all gets out - but this is a moot point because they both probably get out oil. I kind of like the idea of having an air operated one for differentials and such though. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
BlueG - 5/2/2010 11:10 PM
What do you guys use the vac for? Differentials?
Engine oil. It will extract more than draining out the bottom drain plug. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
BlueG - 5/3/2010 12:26 AM
I don't think you can get out more than the drain plug because its the lowest part of the engine - literally all gets out -
Vac gets more out. Been tested here more than once by more than one member. Using the vac also results in a lot less slop on the various steering and suspension components under the car. It's also a lot faster than the drain plug and does get all the crap if your engine is properly warmed up and the crap is suspended in the oil.
PS - won't work on a Porsche engine with the dry sump lubrication system. |
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512bbi
Expert
Date registered: Jan 2007
Location: North western US and Europe
Vehicle(s): 05G55kge,Range rover classic,clk55amg,ML 430
Posts: 1313
| RE: OT - my MityVac broke
First one I got broke right away.
Company is great,did not have the part needed at the time and they sent me a new one free!
I went to electrical diaphram pump and all the oil is out by the time I get done installing the new filter.
Both ways I get more oil out than draining it and no mess.
Lately I discovered pouring in the new oil through the filter housing is a lot easier than using the proper route at the valve cover.
Also having the old filter out for a little while helps when removing the old oil to get every drop of it out.
Mario |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: OT - my MityVac broke
sorry for resurrecting this thread, just happened to come across this video that answers questions about how suction could possibly remove more fluid than draining that I thought some might enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65MMnubY4DA
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robwill54
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2007
Location: South of Houston on the Gulf
Vehicle(s): '12 G550,F350 Superduty, E250
Posts: 140
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
+1 on the vac. Lot less trouble. |
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2000BEAST
Regular
Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
I have a Mity Vac, but got one of those fluid transfer pumps that attaches to any handheld drill ... does a good job, and no more pumping  |
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djdinaz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Arizona
Vehicle(s): 03 G55
Posts: 439
| Re: OT - my MityVac broke
Love the extraction method, but had nothing but trouble with my MityVac. It leaked, and the hand pump was always causing me issues. Last straw was when the pump wouldn't pull a vacuum midway through an oil change. I wound up retiring it and picked up a cheap pneumatic extractor from Harbor Freight that's worked fine ever since.
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: OT - my MityVac broke
I have the pneumatic version of the MityVac - just hook it up to the air compressor - no pumping and no issues, (other than there's about a quart more oil in my G than can fit in the mityvac).
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djdinaz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Arizona
Vehicle(s): 03 G55
Posts: 439
| RE: OT - my MityVac broke
same with the Harbor Fright version.. hook up the air, disconnect when the dial gets into the green and extract away.. The tank holds about 17 quarts, enough for the G and a car or two.
Now, if we could only get all the OEMs on board with how MB has their filter setup... (it's perfect, except for that extra o-ring some of the filter suppliers insist on putting in the box to make you question your competence ) |
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03-Gwagen
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s): CLK63 Black Series, 2018 G63, 2016 GLE300d
Posts: 888
| RE: OT - my MityVac broke
my new mityvac 07201 just broke.
their customer service stinks.
junk.
Anybody using a better hand operated pump? |
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