The "paid hours" on car repairs is the biggest scam on the planet. Most half competent people can do the work in 1/4-1/2 the paid hours. IDK who comes up with these numbers that all shops quote but they must be getting some kick back. Glad you got it resolved.

 

You know... I changed my oil on Sunday (moral support provided by @GavinC ) -- as I was shoving the little plastic tube in there trying to suck every last drop out, at one point it did actually get stuck in there pretty good.

It never occurred to me that it would actually break off or get stuck in there. Good lesson. I got it out fine but -- I did have a moment where it would not come out. Fascinating. It definitely goes down there, I can get about 7L out. But then if I really jam it down, rotate it, it goes down another foot or so, and I get another 1.5 L or so out. Must be snaking around further.

 

Sounds like your tube is a tad too fat. You should always have a slight gentle curve in the tube. As it goes down, there is a slight snag about 4-6" above the sump. A little twist of maybe 45 degrees and it slides on by. Rendered simple by the aforementioned curve. Having the engine warm, not hot, and opening up the filter seems to allow for a speedier outflow.

(Add Giggity and TWSS to taste. )

 

Too risky for me to ever do again. There are a few little corners that can grab and cut the tube if you manage to bend it the wrong way. I’ll just pay the money and have the shop take the shielding off and do it the old fashioned way. Been using the oil vacuum on our old Chris craft boat for twenty years without a problem but that’s a much shorter run and has nothing for the tube to get caught on. The Defender is a much longer run and has some weird stuff down there that can pinch the tube if you’re as unlucky as I was.