What is an Oil Extractor? Oil Extractor Price

In order to change engine oil, there are usually two options; to drain it via the drain plug, or remove it using an oil extractor. Many people find the extraction method easier, quicker, and not as messy. But what is an oil extractor and how does it work? I will start by explaining what an oil extractor is, how it works, and its advantages. After that, I will advise on the oil extractor price so you can choose when and how to shop for one.

What is an Oil Extractor?

In the automotive world, an oil extractor is a type of pump used to siphon oil from engines. It’s also called engine oil extractor or oil extractor pump and available in different types. Because it relies on vacuum pressure to operate, this oil change tool is also known as the vacuum oil extractor pump or oil vacuum pump.

Oil extractors are normally either manual or automatic. Manual extractors use a hand pump, while automatic types are either electric or air powered. In terms of construction, the manual oil extractor is a standalone pump with a pumping handle, reservoir, and tubes to connect it to the engine.

Automatic extractors are either pneumatic or electric. Pneumatic oil extractors require a source of compressed air to power them. Consequently, they are designed with in an inlet for the air and mechanisms to make it power the pump. Most often, an air-operated oil extractor comes with a hand pump to make it both manual and automatic.

Electric oil extractors are mostly compact units that use a battery-operated motor to work the pump. Most are 12V units that connect to the car battery in order to run. These extractor types also usually pump oil directly to a disposal container and come with inlet and outlet hoses or tubes.

The primary use of the oil extractor pump is siphoning oil from an engine. This happens during an oil change session. When not using an oil extractor, the only other option is to drain the oil from under the oil pan or sump.

The use of oil extractors is not limited to removing engine oil. You can also use them to extract other fluids in a car, especially if the fluid is not flammable or too viscous. The type of vehicles that you can use the tool on is also different. The most popular applications include:

• Road Vehicle Engines– examples include the oil extractor for cars, trucks, and SUVs
• Marine Vehicle Engines– these include the oil extractor for boats and similar watercraft
• Small Engines– the machines in this category include the oil extractor for lawnmower and snow blower

The car oil extractor pump is the most common and made in many different designs and sizes. It can be a small hand pump for DIY-ers, or a heavy duty machine for commercial use. So, how does an oil extractor work to suck up oil from the engine? Find out below.

How an Oil Extractor Works

An engine oil extractor pump is a simple machine both in construction and operation. As already mentioned, the tool uses vacuum pressure to suck up oil. The vacuum is usually created by pumping a handle, electric motor, or compressed air. Here is a brief explanation of how an oil extractor pump works.

• An oil extractor unit is typically made of these parts; a pumping/vacuum mechanism, tubes or hoses and (most of the time) a reservoir or tank.
• In order to extract oil, the oil extractor vacuum pump must remove air to create a low-pressure space. This happens when you pump a handle or connect the extractor to an air compressor or battery.
• The pressure difference caused by the partial vacuum inside the extractor causes oil to go up the oil extractor hose or tube. This happens under the action of atmospheric pressure. The process also goes on for as long as there’s oil in the oil pan.
• When all the oil had been sucked up, the extractor will stop drawing oil. This is the time to turn it off. Most extractors come with inbuilt reservoirs. Others, like the electric types, use an external disposal container that the user must provide.
  
  

Is an Oil Extractor Worth it?

This is question that many car owners ask. The truth is that oil extractors are effective at removing engine oil, conveniently and without creating a mess. Many mechanics and DIY-ers will also tell you how fast they’re able to change engine oil when using an oil extractor pump. In summary, the tool’s benefits are:

Convenience- you get to remove used engine oil from the top instead of the bottom. You also do not need to worry about causing damage to the oil pan or stripping a nut thread when opening the drain plug.

Time- you do not need to jack up the car or struggle to loosen a nut from an awkward position under the car. That alone makes the process to change your car’s engine oil less time-consuming. Typically, you only need between 30 and 60 minutes to remove all oil.

Tidiness- when using the extraction method, spills are common. The oil extractor rarely spills oil as it directs it oil to a container. These tools are also designed to pour oil in the most effective way.

Cost Savings– using an oil extractor to remove engine oil is an easy process that does not require tools, unlike the traditional method of draining the oil. That means you do not need to visit a repair shop for your oil changes. In the long run, you will have saved both time and money.

Oil Extractor vs. Drain Plug

The debate on using an oil extractor vs. using the drain plug is often a never ending one. Some people consider oil extractors more effective and easy to use, while others find draining the oil better. While each method has its downsides, one option must offer more benefits than the other. Here’s a comparison of the two.

Draining- draining means removing used engine oil by opening the drain plug. This plug is located on the bottom side of the engine. That means having to jack up the car, using tools to loosen bolts, and having an oil pan to catch the oil as it gushes out.

There are instances when draining the oil might not be a bad idea. If your car has the oil filter only accessible from the bottom, for example, using an oil extractor tool may not make a big difference. You will still have to get under the car anyway, which means raising it.

Oil Extraction- this involves using an oil extractor machine to siphon old oil from the top and via the dipstick tube. The tool makes the process to remove oil faster, since you do not need to crawl under the car or fumble with nuts.

With an oil extractor tool, you also do not need many tools such as wrenches, a jack, or oil pan to catch the oil as it gushes out not to mention the mess if the oil misses the pan or overflows.

But extraction has its downsides. In some cars, it may not remove all oil depending on the design of the engine oil pan. Some cars also have the oil filter only accessible from under the car and you would still need to use your car jack to reach it when doing an oil change.

Overall, extraction offers more benefits than drawbacks. When using an oil extractor, oil change becomes easier, quicker, and cleaner. You only need to insert the extraction tube into the engine and wait for oil to come out. With draining, there are many steps such as raising the car, opening the drain plug, and catching the oil as it comes out.

Oil Extractor Price

The types of the oil extractors today are many and available in different sizes. As you can guess, that means a broad range of prices for the tool. The price of oil extractor tools is also dependent on other factors such as brand, material, and type or number of extra features.

The average oil extractor price revolves around $40 to $100. This is the price range for extractors that suit common applications and most cars. Most are manual pumps and usually come with decent features in terms of performance, safety, and durability.

The most basic oil extractor tool is a handheld manual or electric pump. This may cost less than $40 sometimes even as low as $20. But while this type of extractor is simple to use, it may not offer speedy or effective extraction of oil. Most of the time, you may only want to use it on smaller engines such as those of lawnmowers.

There are also extractors that cost more than the amount mentioned here. These are mostly the heavy-duty extractors for commercial applications such as auto repair shops. In addition to higher price, they can be used with a broad range of cars and engines.

Conclusion

Oil extractors provide a cleaner, easier, and faster way to remove old oil from your car engine.

The benefits that you service from the tool will depend on your understanding of how it works.

This oil extraction device is also available in different types based on operation.

Read on for a thorough description of the types of oil extractors, how they work, and the benefits of each type.