Oil change on Ramps - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Tortuga · 8th July 2009, 05:27

How much (if any) oil do you miss draining if the operation is done with the front wheels on rhino ramps?

Thanks

midtwnman · 8th July 2009, 11:51

Do you mean how much oil is still left in the pan? Or how much oil do I miss getting into the drain pan and onto my driveway? Either way it's not much

Beemer Guy · 8th July 2009, 14:16

You will miss 0.6391124 liters of oil.

So, seriously, you expect an answer on this when we don't know the height of the ramps, if the surface upon which the ramps are placed is itself level, what kind of wrench you are using to remove the drain plug and most importantly, what color is the car?

What I do is change the oil on on a slight hill so that when I drive the car onto the ramps, it's basically level.

Ever notice that when you drain the oil, it can take an hour before it stops dribbling out? Either the car has an enlarged prostate, or it's all of the oil that was in the upper end of the engine making its way through all the passageways and channels down into the sump. Do you think when the dealership or

a quick-change place changes the oil, they wait for all that to come through? Hell no. So you're not doing any worse than they are, as far as leaving that old nasty disgusting dirty oil in your engine.

HTH,
Michael

chowdah · 8th July 2009, 16:44

Short answer: Not much more than if the car was perfectly level.

Long answer: Anecdotal evidence.
I change my oil the way you have described. Each change, I measure how much comes out, and how much I put in. Typically I drain 6.0-6.5qt, and fill 7qt. Before I commence my change my dipstick generally reads <1/3rd. After my change I like my dipstick to read just over top line. Why? I'm quite paranoid about stripping my drain bolt, so I torque lightly, and diligently monitor dipstick (by the book) and bolt (tighten as needed) for subsequent trips. Once satisfied by enough samples, I siphon/pump via dipstick tube to bring to top line.

DouglasABaker · 8th July 2009, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tortuga

How much (if any) oil do you miss draining if the operation is done with the front wheels on rhino ramps?

Thanks

Not a lot, but if you are worried about it, lift the car using a jack, put it in the ramps while you remove the plug, lift it to remove the ramps and then drain it level.

I can't imagine it would make more than an ounce of difference...

d-

jjc1843 · 8th July 2009, 19:59

The flat oil pan on the S62 engine needs to be drained with it horizontal. Any angle will capture some oil in the pan. It will be more than an ounce-probably closer to 4-8 ounces. All a matter of geometry.

ARD's method for draining is ideal--jack on side, pull the drain bolt, lower car back down. Need a low profile drain pan.

I also pass a rag through the oil filter cannister bottom to get every drop out. Over the top--yup, thats just me.

DouglasABaker · 8th July 2009, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjc1843

The flat oil pan on the S62 engine needs to be drained with it horizontal. Any angle will capture some oil in the pan. It will be more than an ounce-probably closer to 4-8 ounces. All a matter of geometry.

ARD's method for draining is ideal--jack on side, pull the drain bolt, lower car back down. Need a low profile drain pan.

I also pass a rag through the oil filter cannister bottom to get every drop out. Over the top--yup, thats just me.

Poor choice of words - I meant it wouldn't matter at all, not that it literally would only leave 1 physical ounce. You could leave a quart and it wouldn't matter (unless you were changing your oil every 50K miles, in which case you better not miss any).

Rag around the oil filter bottom, huh? I'd be worried about leaving particulate behind in the chamber, but you are obviously a bit more anal about it than I am so I suspect this is not a risk for you

d-

jjc1843 · 8th July 2009, 20:30

Doug:

Exactly. I am ridiculous when it comes to some things--call it OCD. I get what you mean about oil replacement--a few ounces of 4500 mile oil ain't gonna hurt.

-BEASTMW- · 8th July 2009, 22:16

Why not just use an extractor? Easier job and car stays level.

MrCrashRR · 9th July 2009, 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowdah

Short answer: Not much more than if the car was perfectly level.

Long answer: Anecdotal evidence.
I change my oil the way you have described. Each change, I measure how much comes out, and how much I put in. Typically I drain 6.0-6.5qt, and fill 7qt. Before I commence my change my dipstick generally reads <1/3rd. After my change I like my dipstick to read just over top line. Why? I'm quite paranoid about stripping my drain bolt, so I torque lightly, and diligently monitor dipstick (by the book) and bolt (tighten as needed) for subsequent trips. Once satisfied by enough samples, I siphon/pump via dipstick tube to bring to top line.

over- filling the engine can cause increased crankcase preasures that do more harm than having the oil slightly under. I would really try to not make it a habbit to over-fill. Not trying to give you a hard time, but I've seen far far more problems as a result of an over full engine than I've ever seen on an under filled engine. You can always pull the plenum and see if you are spitting the extra into the intake.