Oil evac through filler tube

[pfarber]

Any idea why this is not a thing? Seems easier and less messy. You could even do a flush with another line to actually clean the pan.

Was it already tried and just not popular? Do people really like taking cowls off?

 

[FORANE]

You know, occasionally one finds a surprise when they take the cowl off.

 

[Clip4]

Any idea why this is not a thing? Seems easier and less messy. You could even do a flush with another line to actually clean the pan.

Was it already tried and just not popular? Do people really like taking cowls off?

You obviously don’t have knowledge of aircraft maintenance. It is much easier to use gravity to drain oil than try to vacuum it up. The oil filter cannot be changed without removing the cowling. While 100 hour inspections aren’t required for most aircraft, a visual inspection exhaust, intake, battery, wiring, ect is performed. About every other oil change the spark plugs are cleaned and gapped coinciding with the oil change.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

For me, even if someone paid me to use one to change my oil (in airplane), I would not use it. Why? Because almost every time I’ve removed the upper and lower cowl, I’ve found something that needed attention. For this reason I’ve also avoided the strong temptation to install a quick drain that would allow me to leave the lower cowl on, which in my case is a little more challenging solo due to the canard structure.

Also, I have no evidence, but I think any larger solids would be flushed out through the sump drain.

Lastly, think about when you’re really thirsty or drinking something really good, using a straw. You gotta tip the cup to get the last of the good stuff. Not sure how that happens with the last inch or less of remaining oil (or the flush solvent that you suggest).

Maybe none of this makes a difference, but it does to me, and that’s what you asked. Easier and less messy doesn’t mean better to me.

 

[asicer]

Oil evac is but a minor incidental step in the overall process compared to changing the filter.

 

[pfarber]

You obviously don’t have knowledge of aircraft maintenance. It is much easier to use gravity to drain oil than try to vacuum it up. The oil filter cannot be changed without removing the cowling. While 100 hour inspections aren’t required for most aircraft, a visual inspection exhaust, intake, battery, wiring, ect is performed. About every other oil change the spark plugs are cleaned and gapped coinciding with the oil change.

Dropping a cowl, busting/stripping a fastener, damaging baffles and tearing seals can result even if you are careful. Of course all MX are perfect and never to any of these things... but the OTHER shop must have. lol The amount of tools I have found in engine bays and cowls is ridiculous. Even one is to many (and right now I've found almost a dozen). ALso some AC have left/right hinged cowls that make your point moot... but hey, YOU'RE THE (in your mind) EXPERT lol.

Ignoring people trying to act like the smartest in the room even if you took off ONLY the top cowl you could do the other tasks.

The evac method is cleaner (no spilled oil on nose wheels/struts/airframe) and faster (again, not having to take of ALL the cowls in most situations). Way less fasteners are involved, and less moving stuff around means less stuff to get damaged.

 

[bonefishpete]

Just find a plane that burns a quart an hour and forget oil changes.

 

[AZEL]

Just find a plane that burns a quart an hour and forget oil changes.

Well, realistically speaking, if your AAF Form 5-12A says 0.28 quarts / 4.05 gallons minimum specific, and 0.37 quarts / 5.45 gallons maximum, you are just saving yourself the trouble of pre-mixing.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Dropping a cowl, busting/stripping a fastener, damaging baffles and tearing seals can result even if you are careful. Of course all MX are perfect and never to any of these things... but the OTHER shop must have. lol The amount of tools I have found in engine bays and cowls is ridiculous. Even one is to many (and right now I've found almost a dozen). ALso some AC have left/right hinged cowls that make your point moot... but hey, YOU'RE THE (in your mind) EXPERT lol.

Ignoring people trying to act like the smartest in the room even if you took off ONLY the top cowl you could do the other tasks.

The evac method is cleaner (no spilled oil on nose wheels/struts/airframe) and faster (again, not having to take of ALL the cowls in most situations). Way less fasteners are involved, and less moving stuff around means less stuff to get damaged.

So you graduated VoTech with an A&P about 2 years ago then immediately went to work at an airline. Yet you claim to have found all these tools in cowls and engine bays? Does QA suck that bad in your shop?

Also your assertion that opening cowls bust or strip fasteners, dropping a cowl and tearing seals and baffles, are you really that clumsy or is it just shear lack of knowledge?

And you still haven’t addressed changing the oil filter.

As others have mentioned, your extreme lack of knowledge of small GA airplanes shines through again.

 

[Clip4]

Dropping a cowl, busting/stripping a fastener, damaging baffles and tearing seals can result even if you are careful. Of course all MX are perfect and never to any of these things... but the OTHER shop must have. lol The amount of tools I have found in engine bays and cowls is ridiculous. Even one is to many (and right now I've found almost a dozen). ALso some AC have left/right hinged cowls that make your point moot... but hey, YOU'RE THE (in your mind) EXPERT lol.

Ignoring people trying to act like the smartest in the room even if you took off ONLY the top cowl you could do the other tasks.

The evac method is cleaner (no spilled oil on nose wheels/struts/airframe) and faster (again, not having to take of ALL the cowls in most situations). Way less fasteners are involved, and less moving stuff around means less stuff to get damaged.

I only changed oil in airplanes for 40 years, I have yet to strip a fastener, tear a seal, or damage a baffle. I am trying to figure out how you are getting oil on wheels, struts and airframe when placing a hose on a quick drain valve routed to a receptacle.