DIY maintenance

[recycled55]

I usually try to handle my own maint on nearly everything. Now that I have a motorhome it is not something I want to farm out to someone else. To all you diy'ers out there----- How do you add the new oil to your engine when the access panel is lower than the point where it gets poured in? I can't make it run uphill. Gravity is always in effect here.
I haven't pulled the engine cover inside the house because I don't think it can be refilled thru there.
If you know any tricks to get the new oil in there please let me know.
thanks
recycled55
2007 hurricane with ford v10

[harris155]

I have to decant the 5 quart jugs to 1 quart bottles and that only just fits in..
If 1 quart bottles do not fit then you will have to set up a funnel and tubing on a step ladder.
That is what I did for transmisson fluid change.
The brake fluid is even harder to check and harder still to fill.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Rear radiator coaches can be a real challenge to add oil or coolant. Worst case is using a pump, e.g. one of the electric drill powered jobs, to move the fluid up to the filler tube. But usually you can use 1 qt bottles and/or some jury-rigged funnel tube.

[Brigadoon]

They also make handpumps with tubes on the end. That way you can pump thru the tube "uphill".

[bmacrc46]

Originally Posted by recycled55

I usually try to handle my own maint on nearly everything. Now that I have a motorhome it is not something I want to farm out to someone else. To all you diy'ers out there----- How do you add the new oil to your engine when the access panel is lower than the point where it gets poured in? I can't make it run uphill. Gravity is always in effect here.
I haven't pulled the engine cover inside the house because I don't think it can be refilled thru there.
If you know any tricks to get the new oil in there please let me know.
thanks
recycled55
2007 hurricane with ford v10

I use a hand pump whenever the fill point is higher than access area.

Hand Pump | AutoZone.com

[Poptop]

I have one of the hand pumps but prefer to use a funnel with a flex hose. I have to turn the gallon oil container sidewise but by pouring slowly I am able to get the job done.

[Clayobx]

We use qt. jugs or plastic paint cups which are cheap and can be formed into funnel spouts thus allowing easy pour! Even with a side radiator fluids are still a challenge. Geez why is that?? The body builders need to engineer these clearances when building the house. Really how hard is that, the body is fiberglass formed?

[deandec]

Maybe drilling a 1" hole above the engine compartment access and running a 3/4" clear tube through it to the transmission fill or oil fill would work?

When not in use, the hole could be plugged with something.

[tquarles]

Try this:
Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 648772 Level Bucket Pump: Automotive

[wa8yxm]

There is a very handy bottle topper for oil bottles (also fits gallon jugs used for Windshild washer fluid and brake fluid bottles) that has an ON-Off valve in it, it's yellow (usually) and has a short "Snout" that comes straight off the valve/cap.

This SNOUT can accept a hose (Slip on) allowing you to push the oil up hiill.. or the washer fluid, or the brake fluid,

I used to have a bunch of them when I drove a car that had some of those things in an "uphill" place.

NOTE. Use it for ONE use only, that is Oil, Washer, Brake or Tranny, NEVER use the same cap for two different flluids.

[recycled55]

I went to auto zone and got the pump that bmacrc46 recommended and it worked really great. Pumps 4 ounces at a time. I put it in basement storage in case I ever have to add oil. Really needs engineering thoughts before building these things.
recycled55

[CountryFit]

what about this? I used it on my cars for years, i am yet to change oil on my rv so next time i will use it...
Mityvac 7400 7.3 Liter Fluid Evacuator : Amazon.com : Automotive