An oil extractor is an automatic or manually powered device that uses vacuum to suck the oil from your car’s crankcase. You simply insert a thin tube through the dipstick opening, and the machine then does all or most of the work. The oil is transferred to a portable container, which you could then use to take the old oil to an auto parts store for recycling.
Oil extractors can be automatic, manually powered, or hybrid. They also come in a wide variety of shapes and forms. Which product is the best oil extractor for you would depend on your vehicle’s size, the storage space in your garage, and, of course, your budget.
Do you need an oil extractor? You definitely need it if you like to change your car oil yourself. A top-down oil extractor is a much cleaner and hassle-free alternative to sliding under your car and getting your hands and clothes all covered in grime and oil. What’s more, using an oil extractor is easier and saves a lot of time too.
Best Oil Extractor Pumps in 2023
Now, let’s see which products made it to the best oil extractor shortlist. All seven oil extractors bellow are truly great products, and all have their pros and cons. Which one would be best for you depends entirely on your personal circumstances.
When compiling this list, I considered features such as:
- Weight
- Material
- Ease of use
- Mode of operation
- Reservoir size
- Accessories and spare parts
1. Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus
With its 8.8 L (2.3 gal) capacity, the Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus is definitely on the larger side. That makes it great for use on larger vehicles, but it might not be the best oil extractor for those of you with limited storage space.
This oil extractor is bi-functional, meaning it can both extract and dispense fluids. Another selling feature is its reservoir, which is made of durable polyethylene that does not rust or corrode and will last pretty much forever.
Best of all, the Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus is equipped with an automatic flow-control valve. It prevents overfilling and spillovers by shutting off the device as soon as the fluid intake hits the 8-liter mark.
However, note that this is a manual oil extractor. You would have to give it a good ten or so pumps to get it to work.
In terms of size, the product weighs a total of 5.4 kg (11.9 lbs.) and has dimensions of 23.6 x 33.5 x 64.5 cm (9.3 x 13.2 x 25.4 inches).
The Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus also comes with the following accessories:
- 5.7 mm OD x 1.5 m long (0.23″ OD x 5′ long) dipstick tube
- 6.6 mm OD x 1.5 m long (0.26″ OD x 5′ long) dipstick tube
- 10 mm OD x 1.5 m long (0.41″ OD x 5′ long) main evacuation tube
Key Features
- Manually operated
- 8.8 L (2.3 gal) capacity
- Automatic flow-control valve
- Dual fluid extraction and dispensing function
- Rust-proof and non-corrosive polyethylene reservoir
2. Hydro-Turf Oil Extractor 6-Liter oil01
The Hydro-Turf Oil Extractor 6-Liter OIL01 is slightly smaller, with a capacity of up to 6 L (1.57 gal). It weighs 1.6 kg (3.6 lbs.) and has dimensions of 24.9 x 25.1 x 28.2 cm (9.8 x 9.9 x 11.1 inches). That makes for a rather compact product that should easily fit anywhere in your garage or storage room.
The product works great for cars as well as ATVs, boats, motorcycles, personal watercrafts, and snowmobiles. Just several strokes of the pump should suffice to create enough vacuum to fill up the whole reservoir.
The reservoir is quite sturdy and comes with a removable pump for easy storage. You also get a pour spout to help empty the reservoir without any spills or leaks.
However, bear in mind that the extraction tube is only 3 mm in diameter. Therefore, that’s not the best oil extractor in terms of speed, so be patient and don’t force things. Stronger pumps will not only fail to create “more” vacuum but could also cause the device to burst.
Key Features
- Manually operated
- 6 L (1.57 gal) capacity
- 3 mm OD extraction tube
- Removable pump for easy storage
- Pour spout to help empty the container
3. Ewk Pneumatic/Manual 6.5 Liter Oil Changer Vacuum Fluid Extractor
Unlike the previous two products, this oil extractor has both a pneumatic and manual mode of operation. The pneumatic mode is quicker, while manual mode requires no extra equipment.
EWK’s oil extractor also offers one of the highest extraction speeds on the market, with a capacity of up to 1.6 L (0.42 gal) per minute. That means it can extract the oil of a 4-cylinder car in as little as five minutes.
The product also comes with a number of accessories, including:
- A pump tank remover
- A storage unit for the hoses
- A sealing cap to prevent spills and leaks when the tank is full
- Tubes with varying diameters to fit any-sized crankcase
- Two extension hoses and an adapter to make sure the device can reach the bottom of any reservoir
The 6.5 L model weighs 3.3 kg (7.25 lbs.) and has dimensions of 57.7 x 22.0 x 21.8 cm (22.7 x 8.7 x 8.6 inches). However, the company also offers a much larger, 15 L version.
EWK’s oil extractor comes with an eagle-mouth-shaped spout that helps the liquid flow more smoothly and prevents spills and leaks.
One thing to watch out for when using this product is the temperature of the oil that is being extracted. Fluids with a temperature of 104°C (220°F) or higher could deform the tank and cause it to malfunction.
Key Features
- 6.5 L (1.71 gal) capacity
- Both pneumatic and manual mode of operation
- Extraction speed of up to 1.6 L (0.42 gal) per minute
- A good selection of accessories
4. Dasmarine 12v 60w Oil/Diesel Change PUMP Extractor
First and foremost, the most crucial thing to note about the Dasmarine 12V 60W pump extractor is that it is NOT suitable for gasoline/petrol. It is also not meant to extract water or easily flammable liquids such as gearbox oil. Inappropriate use of this product would not only cause it to malfunction but could also severely endanger your health and safety!
That being said, this extractor is an excellent device with an extraction speed of around 1 L (0.26 gal) per minute. It is also very easy to install and use. Simply position the outlet and inlet hoses in place, connect the car battery to the power clamps, and press the “ON” button.
With the Dasmarine 12V 60W pump extractor, you also get the following accessories:
- A pump
- An outlet hose
- An inlet hose
- Two hose clamps
- Two battery clamps
The main product weighs 18.14 g (0.64 oz) and has package dimensions of 23.9 x 17.8 x 9.1 cm (9.4 x 7 x 3.6 inches), making it one of the most compact options out there.
You can use the Dasmarine 12V 60W pump extractor for your personal car, truck, boat, motorcycle, or scooter, to farm and plant equipment, such as forklifts, generators, tractors, and ride-on mowers.
Key Features
- Automatic mode of operation by connecting to your car battery
- Not suitable for water and easily flammable liquids such as gasoline/petrol and gearbox oil
- Extraction speed of up to 1 L (0.26 gal) per minute
- A good selection of accessories including battery and hose clamps
5. Oemtools 24936 8.0 Liter Evacuator
The OEMTOOLS 24936 8.0 Liter Evacuator doubles as an oil, transmission, and coolant change tool. What’s more, it comes in both manual and pneumatic/manual options and a variety of sizes, including 5.3 L (1.4 gal), 6 (1.6 gal), and 9.5 L (2.5 gal).
Unlike some of the extractors reviewed so far, this one can be used to extract oil as well as most other fluid types, including:
- Water
- Coolant
- Gear oil
- Engine oil
- Transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
That makes it a very handy tool that’s certainly worth investing in if you also need to extract other fluids.
The OEMTOOLS 24936 8.0 Liter Evacuator is equipped with a flexible, 5 ft. main suction hose and two dipstick adapters. It also has an oversized pump handle that is very easy to use and an overflow shut-off valve to prevent overflow and spills. Another great feature is its single-piece reservoir structure with a specially designed, leak-proof bottom.
The 8.0 L version weighs 3.12 kg (6.9 lbs.) and has dimensions of 59.7 x 22.3 x 22.3 cm (23.5 x 8.8 x 8.8 inches).
Key Features
- Both manual and pneumatic/manual options
- Can be used to extract most liquids, including water, coolant, gear and engine oil, and transmission and power steering liquid
- Available in four different sizes, ranging from 5.3 L (1.4 gal) to 9.5 L (2.5 gal)
- Features an oversized pump handle for easy use and automatic overflow shut-off valve
6. Air Power America 5060ts Topsider Multi-Purpose Fluid Removing System
Air Power America’s 5060TS Multi-Purpose Fluid Removing System is a functional, compact, and easy-to-use tool. What’s more, as it is powered using vacuum pressure only, it does not require electricity and helps save the environment and your budget.
Weighing only 2.47 kg (5.45 lbs.) and with dimensions of 32.2 x 32.2 x 32.0 cm (12.7 x 12.7 x 12.6 inches), this product is lightweight, portable, and perfect for use in confined spaces.
It also works quickly, too: it takes just about 40 pump strokes and eight to ten minutes to fill up the 8-quart container.
A further great feature is the container’s diameter of 30.5 cm (12 inches). The large surface area provides a stable base and safe storage and helps prevent accidental spills.
With its lightweight and compact size, stable base, and no need for electricity, Air Power America’s 5060ts fluid removing system could easily be the best oil extractor for all of you boaters and die-hard sea-wolves. This product is the perfect travel aid and companion on any sea or river journey.
What’s more, this product should have a very long shelf life too. The holding tank and pump are made of solid steel and the piston — of high-quality, durable leather. That should guarantee a long and reliable service life.
The extractor also comes with a suction probe and user instructions included. It is suitable for extracting water and transmission fluids but not for gasoline and other flammable liquids.
Key Features
- Vacuum-powered
- Does not require electricity
- Stable, lightweight, and compact
- Made of high-quality, durable materials
- Suitable for water and transmission fluid extraction
7. Pela PL-6000 6 Liters Oil Extractor
Last but not least, the Pela PL-6000 6 Liters Oil Extractor is another compact yet highly efficient product and a worthy contender for the title of the best oil extractor.
Much like Air Power America’s 5060ts system, Pela PL-6000 is vacuum-powered and does not require electricity. Around ten to twenty pumps should suffice to create a vacuum powerful enough to fill up the entire 6 L (1.58 gal) reservoir.
A clever feature that I particularly like is the fact that the sturdy container is see-through and has calibrated walls. That really comes in handy, as it helps you monitor the rising fluid level and gauge how much oil has been removed.
The product also comes with a removable pump for easy storage and a pour spout that prevents unwanted spills when emptying the container.
Pela PL-6000 weighs 2.0 kg (4.5 lbs.) and has dimensions of 27.9 x 25.4 x 27.9 cm (11 x 10 x 10 inches). The diameter of the container is 22.9 cm (9 inches), and the tube length is 109.2 cm (43 inches).
Overall, this could be the best oil extractor for you if you are looking for a user-friendly and hassle-free option.
Key Features
- Vacuum-powered
- Does not require electricity
- Lightweight, sturdy, and compact
- See-through container with calibrated walls
- Comes with a pour spout and removable pump
Oil Extractor Buyer’s Guide
I hope that the product reviews above will help you find the best oil extractor for your needs. However, before committing to a purchase, make sure you consider the following points that are absolutely crucial when buying an oil extractor.
Safety
Much like with any other piece of machinery, when working with an oil extractor, you must put safety first.
Make sure to read the user manual and manufacturer’s instructions before using the product for the first time, as well as whenever you have any doubts or questions. Furthermore, pay special attention to the product’s technical specifications and whether they are compatible with your vehicle and power grid.
It’s also a good idea to look for oil extractors that have added safety features built-in, such as seal caps and automatic shut-off valves.
Furthermore, you need to make sure to measure the temperature of the oil before connecting the extractor to the crankcase. As mentioned above, excessively high temperatures could both severely damage the device and put your health and safety at risk.
Last but not least, NEVER use an extractor with flammable liquids if it is not specifically designed for such use.
Reservoir Size
The next thing to consider is the reservoir size. Ideally, you want to make sure that it would be able to fit all of your vehicle’s oil in one go. That way, you won’t have to empty it out only to immediately refill it again.
Convenience and Ease of Use
Ideally, you want to get an oil extractor that is hassle-free, user-friendly, and easy to use — especially if you are not an expert. You should also consider what product dimensions would best fit your currently available storage space.
Other features to think about are the weight, portability, and connectivity. These are particularly important if you are going to be using the extractor on a boat or in locations that are not connected to the main grid.
Don’t Expect Miracles
Whether your device is vacuum- or electricity-powered, automatic or manual — it will need a certain amount of time to get going and get things done. Therefore, plan your time accordingly and don’t expect the impossible.
Moreover, keep in mind that it is not all up to the device. Both the viscosity of your oil and its condition can and will affect the extraction speed.
Consider Your Skills and Availability
Last but not least, be honest with yourself. If you are very pressed for time, a car newbie, or just don’t have a knack for auto maintenance — consider having your oil changed by a professional. There is no point in splurging on the best oil extractor on the market if you are not going to use it or will do a very poor job.
How to Use an Oil Extractor Properly
Finally, before wrapping up, let’s just make sure you know how to use an oil or fluid extractor:
- Start up your vehicle’s engine and let it run for a few minutes. That should warm up the oil and any other liquids, which helps the extraction go more smoothly.
- Connect your extraction device’s tubes or hoses and make sure that they are all tightly sealed. Then, insert the end tube or hose inside the dipstick and push it all the way down until you can feel the bottom.
- Depending on the make and model of your extraction device, you may have to connect it to the car engine using clamps.
- Start the pump using electricity or manual power. Then, let it run for the amount of time indicated by the manufacturer. Don’t try to force it further, even if you think it’s going too slow for your taste.
- Every now and then, move the dipstick around to stir the oil around and gather any hard-to-reach bits. If your device is manually powered, you may also have to give it a few extra pumps.
- Wait until air bubbles start to appear in the tube. That is an indication that it is almost done.
- Remove the tube and dispose of the old oil safely and responsibly.
To Conclude
I really hope that you found my reviews useful in finding the best oil extractor for your needs. As always, being well-informed and keeping your common sense about you is the single best way to approach any car-related purchase. Have fun exploring, and make sure you check out other related articles.
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- By Car Roar