Pumping oil for diffs etc.....

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:06
ThreadID: 130141 Views:2997 Replies:12 FollowUps:17
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I'm always trying to make life simpler for myself.....but usually end up making it more bloody complicated.

I changed my rear diff oil a week or so ago....and with the aid of a mate we managed to get the 4 quarts in eventually, although not without a few spills along the way.

I am putting off doing the front one until this arrives off ebay: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121712037041?euid=0b8f5581c2234a9e8d84d03bcf7dfd7c&cp=1&exe=12809&ext=32584&sojTags=exe=exe,ext=ext

I've used these little pumps for fuel in the past, but reckon that it should be okay for oil too, as long as it doesn't have to lift it too far etc. I plan to make the in/out hoses as short as practical.

Wondering if anybody else has tried this method?

In the past I have used a pressure vessel (old truck air tank) and about 20psi pressure to pump such oil; even for engine oil. I've also spent over $40- on a push/pull syringe; useless bloody thing unless you've got biceps like Rambo!!!

Anyway, time will tell I guess....nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Roachie
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Reply By: Roachie.kadina.sa.au - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:09

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:09
BTW....I just clicked on the link I put up and note that the seller has now upped the price....I only paid $25-85 with free postage. I would NOT be paying the $55- they are now charging!!!
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:21

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:21
I use a 5 litre Hills weed sprayer. Add a schraeder valve and cut the wand off and use a bike pump to pressurise it to pump gear oil into the diff.
When it starts spilling out all over the floor, release thd pressure and you are done. Usually have to top up the pressure with the bike pump as the oil is transferred. But theres a measure down the side so you know how much has gone in.
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Follow Up By: Member - David Will (VIC) - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:33

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:33
I use the same, but fitted tyre valve and use compressor on it. As you said can see how much oil goes in and it alo has pressure release of it goes too high. Works for me.
David
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 21:13

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 21:13
Gday David, I worry that my compressor might pump too much, too quick, hence the bike pump. A small compressor would be safer than some of the high flow compressors we have today.
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Follow Up By: Member - David Will (VIC) - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 07:57

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 07:57
Yes agree, I only use an elcheapo 12 volt compressor. That way if the pressure builds up tooicj the unit I use has a safety blow off valve on top so it cannot go over pressure and blow up. It is good you put in the amount of oil you think you need and just let it go and then may have too add a bit more to make it right.
As I sat works for me.
David
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Reply By: Bushranger1 - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:22

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:22
G'day,
Been using one of these McNaught brand pumps for filling my diffs Transfer case & gearbox oils for about 30 years & I cant believe its still available although mine holds about 800ml rather than 500ml.
Suction gun 500ml - C16-01.
If the weather is cold & the oil is thick I just unscrew the end & pour the oil in to the cylinder then screw it on & away you go.
Cheers
Stu
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Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 10:58

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 10:58
Was thinking large syringe or squeeze bottle.
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Reply By: pop2jocem - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:56

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 20:56
Can't remember the brand and it's down the shed and I can't be bothered wandering down there in the dark to look.

This design of pump was, and probably still is, used for extracting the old oil from marine engines and gearboxes where it is impractical to get any container large enough under the engine. I'm talking here about a sump that would hold around 80 liters or more.
Basically it is round, about 250 mm dia by 100 mm deep or wide whichever way you want. It has a handle attached to a shaft that protrudes from one side. You just stick the suction hose in the oil container and the delivery hose with a right angle hose fitting on the end into your gearbox, diff or whatever and work the handle back and forth.
It will pump even cold diff/gearbox oil fast enough and with little effort to fill a Land Cruiser diff for example in well under a minute. I made up a small tripod arrangement to mount it on, that sits over a 4 or 5 lt container.
The design has been around for decades. I can remember my late father using a larger version to transfer water from one tank to another.

Cheers
Pop
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 06:11

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 06:11
Come on Pop, that is a tease, no pics................. LOL
John and Jan

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Follow Up By: pop2jocem - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 11:26

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 11:26
Sorry John, I don't think us low-life-tight-arse visitors are allowed onto the hallowed ground of pic posting.

And that's assuming a low-tech-G-O-M like me could even achieve such a technological marvel...lol.

Cheers
Pop
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Follow Up By: Gramps - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 14:27

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 14:27
Pop,

If this works, Visitors are still allowed to post pics by first uploading the pic to a third party like Photobucket etc and then using the "Insert Images & Files" button.

[img]
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Follow Up By: Gramps - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 14:28

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 14:28
Looks OK to me

Regards
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Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 21:14

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 21:14
Roachie
Get an old fire extinguisher with a flat base, modify the screw out handle.
Braise a tyre valve into the cylinder up near the top.
Fill the cylinder with the required amount of oil.
Hose clip a plastic hose to the trigger mechanism.
Fasten the compressor on the the valve and whooshca the diff will fill in seconds.
Why didn't you think of that ?
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Follow Up By: Roachie.kadina.sa.au - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 21:42

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 21:42
Thanks Stan....that is pretty much what the pressure vessel is that I've been using, but mine is a bit larger and more cumbersome to move around.

I will think about the ideas that everybody has suggested....if the little $25- pump doesn't do the job it might be back to the big clunky unit....it does work well I must admit (holds about 20 litres).

Cheers,

Roachie
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 22:13

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 22:13
I think you will find the oil too thick for those petrol pumps.
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Reply By: Member - Rob S (NSW) - Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 22:05

Sunday, Aug 30, 2015 at 22:05
Roachie let us know if it works.

But i think you will have better success with one of these,probably put one on my shopping list, sick off using an oil syringe.

transfer pump

Rob
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and that's when I thought I was wrong!

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Follow Up By: Roachie.kadina.sa.au - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 05:53

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 05:53
Thanks Rob....I did see those on ebay but decided to go with the smaller unit. I reckon you're right....should've gone with the "proper" unit. Time will tell I suppose.

Cheers,

Roachie
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Follow Up By: Roachie.kadina.sa.au - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2015 at 18:18

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2015 at 18:18
I've just ordered one of these in anticipation of the little one I bought not being up to the task. I will hold on to that in case I ever need it for some other job.

I liked the idea of the old power steering pump (powered by an electric/battery drill), but too much fiddling involved when I consider the cheap price of the one I've just bought.

I will be able to use this transfer pump for engine oil changes too, as well as gear box, transfer case and diffs.

Roachie
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Follow Up By: Member - Rob S (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 06, 2015 at 16:31

Sunday, Sep 06, 2015 at 16:31
Roachie give us test report on the transfer pump when you have tried it .

will be interested to know how it went before i order one.

And i do like the power steering pump, good idea.


Rob







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Follow Up By: Roachie.kadina.sa.au - Monday, Sep 07, 2015 at 19:29

Monday, Sep 07, 2015 at 19:29
Rob, received the pump today and tried it in the shed by pumping new 75w90 diff oil from one container to another.

It is slow! But it did the job eventually. I transferred almost 1 litre and it took around 5 minutes. Maybe the oil viscosity was a bit thick for the pump? Also, I noticed that it seems to aerate the oil too as it exited the pump in a slightly different "colour" (seemed to be a bit "foamy") to the honey-colour that it entered. I have poured it back into the original quart container and will let it settle back down for 24 hours then see if it looks as good as the new stuff in the other quart bottle.

Anyway, it will do for my diff oil needs....I will do the front diff of the Chev this weekend.

Roachie
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Follow Up By: Member - Rob S (NSW) - Monday, Sep 07, 2015 at 21:45

Monday, Sep 07, 2015 at 21:45
Thanks for the follow up Roachie.
You could try warming up the oil,either leave the drum in the sun ,well that would work in summer, or put it in a pot and heat it with a heat gun or gas cooker??
Wouldn't worry about it foaming ,its going to do that when in operation in the diff.

Rob
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Reply By: BunderDog - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 06:24

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 06:24
What's wrong with a standard old 20l oil drum pump?
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 08:25

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 08:25
I buy both diff and gearbox oil in 20L drums, Roachie, and use one of these Macnaught pumps in each.



When the Boss is not working she kindly operates the pump, while I lie underneath, waiting for the inevitable overflow. :-)

Bob

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Follow Up By: Roachie.kadina.sa.au - Tuesday, Sep 01, 2015 at 05:40

Tuesday, Sep 01, 2015 at 05:40
I have one of those pumps, but I only buy my diff oil in small bottles.....the rear diff holds 4 "quarts" and the front only 2. So, I don't think that small quantity would be able to be sucked up with one of those pumps....but could be wrong.
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Reply By: cruza25 - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 09:49

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 09:49
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Drill-pump-heavy-duty-for-oil-and-fluids-suitable-for-all-drills-TE472-/261811208407?hash=item3cf52a00d7

About $35 inc postage

I bought this one from uk seller

Slipped some hose over each port and made a 90 degree elbow that just hooks in to the filler hole
Takes about 3 mins to do 5lts using my rechargeable drill at a slowish speed.

Done all oils on my prado and works a treat.

Cheers
Mike
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Reply By: Ross M - Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 21:54

Monday, Aug 31, 2015 at 21:54
I use an old nissan Skyline power steering pump which was damaged on a crash. Bolt lug broken off.

$16 grey drill from supercheap is used to drive the shaft of the power steer pump.
Fills Engine, diffs, gearbox etc, easy as, you can also stop, ie no blurting like airpressure systems do) when it is full or overflows. Can reverse if needed to suck a bit back to prevent spillage.
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Follow Up By: Roachie.kadina.sa.au - Tuesday, Sep 01, 2015 at 05:38

Tuesday, Sep 01, 2015 at 05:38
What a GREAT idea!!!
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Reply By: Slow one - Tuesday, Sep 01, 2015 at 07:42

Tuesday, Sep 01, 2015 at 07:42
Roachie,
I use an expensive method. Clear plastic tube with a funnel in the top, plus a cheap ball valve near the diff or gearbox end.

I route the tube to get as good a fall as I can and tape the funnel to a step ladder. Pour the oil in the funnel and just wait. Someone can watch the filler and then just turn the valve off when it is full.

Clean up, is drain the excess oil that is in the line back into the oil bottle. Then I bin the cheap plastic hose.

AnswerID: 589849

Reply By: Ron N - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2015 at 11:20

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2015 at 11:20
Diffs and axles for road vehicles rarely require any serious quantities, so you don't need a big pump.

I have an antique, cast-iron, diff-and-gearbox pump designed for the old 12-gallon drums, which delivers a measured dose (one pint, as I recall), by rotating the handle until it stops. You then wind the handle backwards and start again for another pint.
It's a great way to measure the exact amount, especially when you know exactly how much the gearbox/diff holds.

However, for road vehicles with small compartments, I utilise a 4 litre plastic bottle and a Septone hand-cleaner metal pump.
These little metal pumps are great, and they work well with heavy gear oils.

Septone hand pump

All you need in addition to the pump, is a length of clear PVC tubing attached to the pump spout - and in a couple of minutes, your diff or gearbox is full, with little spillage.
If you utilise a larger container, and the pump suction tube doesn't reach the bottom of the container, just attach a length of PVC tube to the suction tube.
I just pulled the diff out of my 5-tonne FSR500 Isuzu truck to replace a pinion shaft bearing. The diff holds 5.7 litres, and it only took me a few minutes to fill it right up with the Septone pump and a bottle.
The beauty of this setup is that you can take the whole lot under the vehicle with you, and do it all on a one-man basis.

Cheers, Ron.
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