Best Oil Extractors: Skip the Mess

A: Manual: As the name suggests, manual pumps have you doing the work. That’s not to say they’re all the same, though. Some designs require you to pump the system to extract oil with each stroke, while others let a vacuum build up from pumping to do the work. Manual pumps may require user input that other designs do not, but that does come at an advantage. No dependence on external power sources means you’re free to use this style of pump in virtually any situation.

Pneumatic: Pneumatic oil extractors let compressed air do the work. That means you don’t need to work up a sweat to suck the oil out of the crankcase. Just set up the extractor with a few airlines, step back, and let it handle the situation for you. Obviously, these are great for shops already equipped with a good air compressor. Otherwise, the overall investment to make this type of oil extractor pump operational simply isn’t worth it.

Electrical: Electric pumps are an alternative many will consider. Rather than using manual input or compressed air to work, an electric motor is used to extract oil. Depending on the model you select, it can use 12-volt or 120-volt power. The obvious benefit is that they don’t require as much work from the user, nor do they depend on expensive equipment to function. However, they are limited in availability, and performance isn’t always the best.

A: Portability: Portability and capacity go hand in hand. Oil extractor pumps are designed to make transport easy in some way. However, as the capacity increases, the size, and weight when full — if a reservoir is present — will increase. You want to make sure you consider your intended use and pick a model you can use without it being a hassle.

Spill prevention: Look for safety features to ensure that you have a clean extraction process. Features like a flow control valve and automatic shut-off for immediately stopping the flow of oil to prevent overflowing can save you a mess and potential injury. Another good feature is a suction pipe that directs the oil from the engine to the disposal container. This simple feature makes disposing of the extracted oil as easy as removing it from the crankcase.

Reservoir size: As mentioned before, size and reservoir capacity directly correlate. No matter the case, though, you must pick a reservoir that’ll hold the oil it’s pulling from the engine. Otherwise, you’ll have to stop and empty it out in the middle of a job. Most pump reservoirs can hold five to 10 liters of oil. You should pick a size that at least matches the oil capacity of your vehicle’s engine.