After looking the operation manual over, it looks like a "venturi" vacuum pump (compressed air passes through an orifice creating a vacuum) and should work OK if you have a reasonably large compressor. If your rig can't keep up it might take quite a bit longer than 60-80 seconds to achieve an adequate vacumm.

Other than that, it looks like it'll work fine: no hand pumping AND capacity to take all 8.5 qts!

 

I have the Harbor Freight one - works great.
Oops - sdhould have looked at the link first.
I have the manual version - works great!!!

 

To those who use the topsider to perform there oil change...

In order to not soften the tubing on the topsider, how long do you run your engine from cold start to heat up the oil for better flow removal?

Also, when pumping out the oil, does the tubing get real hot to the touch?

I do not want the tubing to get soft and collapse.

Thanks

 

I change my oil when it is hot, normal running temperature. However, I modified my Topsider by removing all but a small section of the Tygon tubing. I left just enough to connect the nylon PVC line to the metal cap, so about and inch and used two tie wraps to secure both. The tube get warm but not too hot to touch. This has been working very well for me for all my vehicles and I have been getting 100% extraction. Regarding the concern of sludge remaining in the pan I am not too worried ; this summer I dropped the pan on my jeep to replace the main seal and there was a 1/4" lip around the oil plug that would prevent full drainage and there was hardly a film on the pan and that is with 80K miles! Considering I am using tier 1 gas and much better quality oil in the Crossfire then the Jeep I would greatly be surprised if sludge is going to be and issue, beside I change my oil every 4K-5K miles.

 

Sounds good to do the oil from above, something I never did. I would suggest getting under the vehicle once in a while though and do a visual. I found a trans leak when changing the oil. Not severe enough to show up on the ground.

 

I bought the one from harbor freight also and it didn't work worth a damn.
Bought a Mityvac 7201, holds 8.8 litres of oil and it worked flawlessly. I can even reverse the flow into another container.

 

I performed my first oil change using the Topsider yesterday afternoon. What I thought might take about 20 minutes took almost FOUR HOURS! I had trouble getting a good seal on Topsider tank from the suction tube, re-oiled the gaskets numerous times. I think it might have been a temperature issue here, about 40 degrees here in West Michigan yesterday. I ran the engine for five minutes or so to let the oil heat up, but I think I should have let it run a bit longer before starting. And I'll tell you what, getting the filter housing unscrewed was no easy task either! I have read that it could be removed by hand without the special tools that MB recommends, but I couldn't get that puppy to break free without a wrench. Tried a strap wrench to avoid gouging up the plastic housing, but that didn't help. This was the first time it was removed since leaving the factory, hopefully it will be much easier next time.

The topsider was great once I got all the oil out though, just put it in the back of my Yukon and drove down to Auto Part Plus and dumped it into their tank, no need to transfer to the empty oil bottles....

8.5 dirty quarts out, 8 clean quarts in... And the filter cost me $20 at the local Chrysler dealership...

 

Rusty,

I use the Topsider on all my cars now. What I found that works the best is to eliminate all but an inch of the Tygon tubing that connects from the metal tube of the lid to the PVC tube that goes into the dipstick housing. Then I change the oil when it is hot so that it flows like water; it you did that with the Tygon tubing it would collapse. Typical oil change from start to finish on the Crossfire is 20 min, which includes topping off window washer fluid and checking air filters.

 

Did the oil change from the bottom few weeks back. Took me about 4 minutes to undo the 4 8mm bolts holding on the pan cover and another minute to undo the pan bolt. Took me longer to pour the new oil in than it did to take apart, drain and reassemble the whole thing. Oh, you can use a regular strap wrench to loosen the cartridge if you need to though I didn't have to.

 

Idaho- thanks for the tip, I'll try that next time. Also, I tried a strap wrench but couldn't get a good grip with the one I have. Had to resort to a pipe wrench and left a bit of a ding on the housing... looks tougher now...

 

back again ....

 

I was considering a topsider but after changing the oil the old fashion way it was so easy I just don't see the need. Took all of about 1/2 hr.
Pat

 

Check out the JABSCO Model 17860-0012 at
http://www.hodgesmarine.com/ProductD...-0012&click=19
Tested it on my car and seems to work ok. Not due oil change yet though.
Putting Mobil 1 in all 3 cars when they come due. Buy 5 QT jugs when they are on sale. Change filter at 3,500-5,000 miles and oil at 10,000. Computes cheaper that regular multi vis oils.

John P.

 

I made my own. Drill and small pump attached with a small hose that fits into the dipstick tube and a garden hose at the other end to drain the oil. Takes awhile to draw the oil out, but does a good job.

 

Autozone, or Advance Auto stores sell an oil filter "socket" that fits our oil filter cap. The size that you want is Letter "B". I think it cost a buck $2.98.
I too do my oil changes the old fashion way, but if I drove my car during the winter months, I'd probably use a top sider just to stay off the cold concrete floor.

 

Here is a question as I've not seen it. What about resetting the computer so you don't get the warning about needing to change the oil?

 

From the Crossfire manual:

The counter can also be reset by any individual after the indicated
service has been performed. To do so:
1. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position.
2. Within one second press the ****/button to the left of the display twice.
3. The present status for days remaining or distance traveled is displayed. Within ten seconds turn the key to OFF.
4. Press and hold the ****/button to the left of the display, while turning the key to ON/RUN again. The present
status for days remaining or distance traveled is displayed once more. Continue to hold the ****/button to the
left of the display.
After approximately ten seconds, a tone sounds and the display shows 7,000 miles for approximately
ten seconds.
5. Release the ****/button to the left of the display.

I use a Mityvac 7201. Advantage is it holds 8+ liters of oil and is translucent. Works great.

 

Remove drain plug and drain oil...change filter. Replace drain plug and add oil....enjoy

 

Oh sure, the old school way works, but isn't life a lot more fun if you can play with toys AND get things done that you would have to do anyway?

Small update on my topsider thingy... the one that I purchased had a cap on the end of it that fell off (apparently, they used cheap glue or sealer). I fixed it with JB Weld. It's working fine again. Wheee!

 

I did my first oil change last night. I bought a TopSider after hearing alot of good reviews on them here.

I don't know what I was doing wrong,,,, but the TopSider only got about 6 Qts of oil out !!!! During the HOUR oil change, I had to squeeze the tube, and pump up a Vacuum again {about 10 or 12 diifferent times] to get the oil to flowing again.

I'm "thumbs-down" on TopSider!!!! I didn't have a flat drain bucket,,,, jack stands,,,, or the time to even attempt to get those last 2.5 quarts of dirty oil out. So I'll do it the old fashioned way next time.