Sump plug

[gib]

@ VDT
I rarely post but do not understand your comment at all, working in an industry that uses oil filled machines that must have there oil analysed every year or so and in previous roles being in charge of having machines emptied and refilled. Vacuuming out oil is standard practice. In fact in Germany and Czech I have seen on many an occasion a car oil drain completed in this way. The oil in the sump is completely removed baring wall residue. Why do you say that those in the know would no do it this way?

What I still find amazing is the amount of people who don't, won't or do not realise that a %'age is always left in the oil cooler. Or that filtration is an interlinked factor with lubrication but does not have a linear link. Once oil contains X% of held contamination it is no good but inversely I have had to dump over 1000L of oil as it had been over heated and lost IRO 8% effective lubrication this held no particle contamination of concern so a filter swap was not required. So why in this age do we swap the filter when we swap the oil as the cost of raw materials must be getting close to the labour cost ( even more so if DIY)

[Fat Audi 80]

Since I bought a new sump plug and generally change the crush washer every time I have never had a problem with it sticking. It still needs a gentle crack with a breaker bar, but it is never any trouble....

[mike74]

^^^agree. I wouldn't manage to shift it using a normal ratchet but its no problem for 'Bertha' the breaker bar

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

@gib.I say it because being of a certain age there was a time when the suction/vacuum method was not around and in order to carry out an oil change the car would need to be lifted,undertray taken of, incidentally giving perfect access to underside of engine to asses oil leaks etc, to undo the sump nut and drop oil out. If as you say vacuum is industry standard practise then why when you go to pay for your service at audi do they charge you for sump plug washer when as you say they just suck it out.On 2 of our cars all the oil changes were done at audi fully stamped up since we have owned them 9 years and 7 years respectively.If i knew they were vacuuming out i would not be happy to then pay for a sump plug and washer not because of cost cutting (going to an Audi dealer is the most expensive way of doing it) but out of principle.

My hate of this way is just another way of companies/dealers using a short cut but not passing on the benefits of the shorter time in labour rates to the customer. As this is a forum for enthusiasts a lot on here would prefer to do it themselves in the time honoured tradition.

Just a quick example of mickey taking. I changed the front pads on our A4 and days later it went in for an oil and inspection service at audi. When i came to pay the bill the service advisor told me my front brake pads were 60% worn. to which i replied...really?... that's funny as i have only just changed them. No response came back from the advisor as he or audi had been caught out red handed.You could say he looked

[Rikki Kitto]

Spoke to fumoto suppliers today on the phone waiting for prices on bulk orders will keep you all informed might just pass on details if theres not much saving let you all sort yaselfs out