Hi all , has anyone changed their oil via the dip stick tube on their g.punto , I've heard horror stories about ends of the tube breaking off and it getting stuck so you can't pull it out , so wondered if anyone had used one, many thanks, Dave

I've not done it with a fiat but have sucked the oil out of several cars using this method. The tubes on the devices I've seen (syringe and vacuum type) have all been one piece so you shouldn't be able to break them.

I presume you put it down the tube about the same length as the dip stick its self

the dipstick will not reach the bottom of the sump so the tube will need to go deeper so all the way to the bottom of the sump to drain all the old oil out. Why do you not want to drain the oil via the drain plug is it rusted in ,you can buy new sump pans on ebay

Edgie70 said:

Hi all , has anyone changed their oil via the dip stick tube on their g.punto , I've heard horror stories about ends of the tube breaking off and it getting stuck so you can't pull it out , so wondered if anyone had used one, many thanks, Dave

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These systems do not get all the heavy material out of the sump, It's hard to suck heavy material up a small diameter pipe, and they do not reach the bottom of the sump. Dipstick holes are for checking the high oil level, not reaching the bottom. I also doubt they meet the manufacturers requirements for an oil change so could affect any warranty. I don't recommend them at all.


Robert G8RPI.

g8rpi is correct it won't remove all oil and if you do have sludge or the like in the sump this won't help. Also it's always wise to change the filter at the same time so if your getting messy doing that you may as well do it properly and drain the oil out of the sump plug. Having said all that if you wish to go ahead after all this is better than no oil change and quick then a tip is to warm the engine just for a few minutes to help the oil 'thin' to make it easier to suck out. Don't get it to hot though. Red hot oil is not meant to be in these devices. Use the thickest pipe that comes with tool that will easily fit in the dipstick for best results.

I'm with the no's. To be fair I've never actually used a suction pump, but I would seriously doubt all oil & debri/sludge if any would be removed altogether. Now there are some who swear by them & say that even by the plug method you will not get all the old oil out. Well that's not strictly true, you can leave the oil dripping out for as long as you want, even use flushing oil if you feel the need to, not engine flush mind. I've left things to drip overnight & I can tell more comes out, as filling up is marginally more, yes I measured carefully...


In some cases you still have to venture under the vehicle to change the filter anyway. On paper the pump may sound an easy/less messy option, but in practice I heard/read that's not the case, still a fanny about & still a bit messy.....Well that's my twopence worth....

Edgie70 said:

Hi all , has anyone changed their oil via the dip stick tube on their g.punto , I've heard horror stories about ends of the tube breaking off and it getting stuck so you can't pull it out , so wondered if anyone had used one, many thanks, Dave

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Sorry if it's a silly question but why do you want to do this when the GP sump plug is usually easily accessible

DGPunto said:

Sorry if it's a silly question but why do you want to do this when the GP sump plug is usually easily accessible

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As he said on the other thread

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/439602-oil-vacuum-pump.html

the sump was damaged in the past.

cmosfxx said:

As he said on the other thread

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/439602-oil-vacuum-pump.html

the sump was damaged in the past.

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Ah sorry hadn't seen the connection, so it's either pump the oil out or replace the sump - neither sound great, guess it depends on how long you plan to own the car as to whether it's worth replacing the sump

Personally if it was my car & I was hanging onto the motor....failing all. New sump time, not a overly expensive route. Just my thoughts.

Hi like others have said it won't remove the heavy deposits but better than nothing. Make sure engine is warm first otherwise it takes ages. I think a length of 3/16 brake might fit down the tube itself and get to the bottom. I have replaced the sump on both the 1.2 (rusted) and 1.4 t jet (cracked) engines. 1.2 was strait forward but t jet was was not.

I tried changing my oil over the weekend, the sump plug was extremely tight, ended up rounding it off, even with a smaller socket smashed over it

I ordered this
Sealey TP696 5.5L Vacuum Oil and Fluid Extractor Manual: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

And worked great , highly recommended

I always use a pump. to compare I have used the pump and then taken out the drain plug. Nothing extra drained out. No difference.I always make sure the oil is warm.You won't get oil out unless it's good and warm. I even went as far as measuring the amount sucked out, it was more than stated for oil an filter change! I know that it won't be exact due to residue in the pump. As for heavy particles.... most will be in suspension in the oil, if you have large pieces of metal etc it's more than an oil change you need!