ATF/diff/transfer box refill oil pump that's better than Tom Thumb Utility Pump?

[twr7cx]

So at the moment I have a couple of the Tom Thumb Utility Pumps for refilling gearboxes/transmissions/diffs/transfer cases. They're ok for the diffs and transfer boxes which only take between 800ml and 2.5L usually, but a pain for the transmissions that often take 4L or so. Is there a higher flow variant or better still, an electric pump version that anyone can recommend?

https://lowerspendings-images.s3.amazonaws.com/rHLGaihJGUu_large.jpg
rHLGaihJGUu_large.jpg (https://lowerspendings-images.s3.amazonaws.com/rHLGaihJGUu_large.jpg)

[DAMINK]

Get a 5ltr container. Put 2 hoses in it. One goes to the gearbox and one to the air compressor.

Fill it in seconds [biggrin][tonguewink]

[bsperka]

Get a 5ltr container. Put 2 hoses in it. One goes to the gearbox and one to the air compressor.

Fill it in seconds [biggrin][tonguewink]I've been using this technique for over 10 years. I've found that you don't need the second hose, or an old valveless air valve stem to put the required air into the bottle.
One variant - use a ball inflator for the air input, put in next to only one hole with the hose that's going to the transmission fill hole and either tape, zip tie or hold it in place.

[123rover50]

I use 20 litre containers with the big version of the tom thumb. Works OK but the thing that bugs me is the plastic pipe gets hard and wont stay where its supposed to.

[twr7cx]

I use 20 litre containers with the big version of the tom thumb. Works OK but the thing that bugs me is the plastic pipe gets hard and wont stay where its supposed to.

Too many varieties of vehicles and their fluids coming through for me to justify a 20L drum of any of them. Also would be fine if the vehicle was on a hoist but couldn't fit under a care on axel stands so would need a longer hose and then that means more hose to clean out before changing fluids.

[mattims]

I have bought something a bit like this (it was from bunnings but doesn't look exactly like that) that is powered by a cordless drill and it works pretty well.

Craftright Drill Powered Rotary Pump | Bunnings Warehouse (https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-drill-powered-rotary-pump_p6320813)

After some years and much abuse (cleaning out old coolant from Mill and Lathe) mine is starting to struggle to prime itself.. but works once it's going, but for the price and if you don't abuse it by pumping metal chips it will probably last.

[Rick1970]

https://www.bunnings.com.au/aqua-systems-5l-garden-pressure-sprayer-kit_p (https://www.bunnings.com.au/aqua-systems-5l-garden-pressure-sprayer-kit_p2960992)

Was told by another forum member this kind of thing works ok, have yet to try them.

Seen a few setups using compressed air to force the oil out of a drum. Some care is needed tho, amazing how much oil flows from a spit open 20L steel drum..[biggrin]

[DAMINK]

amazing how much oil flows from a spit open 20L steel drum..[biggrin]

Im gunna go out on a limb here and say anything upto 20 ltrs of the stuff.

I know what you mean though. With enough pressure it will go EVERYWHERE and look like 100 ltrs of it.

[Don 130]

Kincrome has this (https://www.kincrome.com.au/double-suction-gun) option
Don.

[DAMINK]

Kincrome has this (https://www.kincrome.com.au/double-suction-gun) option
Don.

I actually like the idea of that. One way valves i assume and 500 mill per dose.
Just wonder how the diafram or rubber will last.

[350RRC]

Hills garden sprayer, 5 litres from memory. Have posted this before so do a search.

Cut the wand and bend it into a tight hook so it hangs in the diff or TC filler hole.

Fill with the right vol of the right oil, pump it up, insert in hole and go and do something else for 10 mins. Has a lock on function on the trigger.

Must have viton or similar seals because mine is at least 5 years old old and still works perfectly.

Not cheap though................ maybe $15. [bigrolf]

DL

[Rick1970]

Im gunna go out on a limb here and say anything upto 20 ltrs of the stuff.

I know what you mean though. With enough pressure it will go EVERYWHERE and look like 100 ltrs of it.

Yeah lol

His 1st version had a oil out line to the bottom of the drum, and a ball valve with connector for air in, Mark 2 post explosion version featured a low pressure air regulator.

Lots of old dozer drivers used the same idea for refueling from 205L drums...

[Rick1970]

Hills garden sprayer, 5 litres from memory. Have posted this before so do a search.

Cut the wand and bend it into a tight hook so it hangs in the diff or TC filler hole.

Fill with the right vol of the right oil, pump it up, insert in hole and go and do something else for 10 mins. Has a lock on function on the trigger.

Must have viton or similar seals because mine is at least 5 years old old and still works perfectly.

Not cheap though................ maybe $15. [bigrolf]

DL

Need to do diff oil soon, so will grab one and give it a go

[JohnnoK]

I have a retired stainless steel fire extinguisher waiting to be modified for this very job.

[twr7cx]

Hills garden sprayer, 5 litres from memory. Have posted this before so do a search.

This one 5L Garden Sprayer | Hills Home (https://www.hillshome.com.au/our-product/5l-garden-sprayer/) ? I did do a search but your only post result that comes back with the terms 'hills', 'garden' or 'sprayer' is this one.



Cut the wand and bend it into a tight hook so it hangs in the diff or TC filler hole.

Any tips for bending the tube without it crushing internally and blocking the hole?

[bee utey]

Any tips for bending the tube without it crushing internally and blocking the hole?


Tubing bender. Example:

Tube Bender Tool - Manual OD Tubing Bending 3 Size 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 180 Degree | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tube-Bender-Tool-Manual-OD-Tubing-Bending-3-Size-1-4-5-16-3-8-180-Degree/162798291584?hash=item25e788ca80:g:jRcAAOSwWDFa4C-a)

[rick130]

I used a Hills garden spray for years to bleed Defender brakes and it's still going strong.
The seals are probably Viton as they need to resist herbicides.

[350RRC]

This one 5L Garden Sprayer | Hills Home (https://www.hillshome.com.au/our-product/5l-garden-sprayer/) ? I did do a search but your only post result that comes back with the terms 'hills', 'garden' or 'sprayer' is this one.




Any tips for bending the tube without it crushing internally and blocking the hole?


That's the one. I just bent the tube gradually in a vice, not ideal but I don't have a small tube bender.

Did see some small benders in Aldi yesterday, don't know how much.

cheers, DL

[Rick1970]

Got one and and done diff oils on weekend. Left tube straight, just shortened a bit. Slow, but worked ok and definitely easier [emoji106]

[350RRC]

Got one and and done diff oils on weekend. Left tube straight, just shortened a bit. Slow, but worked ok and definitely easier [emoji106]

It is a bit slow, but that has never really worried me.

I have thought about using a bigger diameter hose and a different type of 'tap' to speed it up but that's as far as it got.

The real advantage of this unit, apart from price, is the size. It'll do everything in one hit, yet is small enough put anywhere while in use or being stored.

I used to have one of those 20l screw in pump things which was just a real pita to fill, use and store.

DL

[Rick1970]

Yeah, the speed isn’t a real issue, fill one while other is draining. Plenty of other stuff to do while it’s filling.
Mite look at changing tap and hose if it really bothers me that much

[twr7cx]

I grabbed one of the cheep Aqua Systems Garden Pressure Sprayer 5 Litres < Aqua Systems 5L Garden Pressure Sprayer Kit | Bunnings Warehouse (https://www.bunnings.com.au/aqua-systems-5l-garden-pressure-sprayer-kit_p2960992) > from Bunnings and it worked perfectly. Definitely not slow! Probably ten times faster than using the 1L Tom Thumb pumps and only 10% of the effort required!

[350RRC]

I grabbed one of the cheep Aqua Systems Garden Pressure Sprayer 5 Litres < Aqua Systems 5L Garden Pressure Sprayer Kit | Bunnings Warehouse (https://www.bunnings.com.au/aqua-systems-5l-garden-pressure-sprayer-kit_p2960992) > from Bunnings and it worked perfectly. Definitely not slow! Probably ten times faster than using the 1L Tom Thumb pumps and only 10% of the effort required!

It'll be interesting to see how the seals hold up. That's the plus with the Hills unit.

The main thing about using these types of things is that they make doing what is really a crap job easier and cleaner.

DL

[twr7cx]

It'll be interesting to see how the seals hold up.

It actually included a complete second set of spare seals - might be a bonus or a concern depending on which way you look at it.

I would imagine the seals must be something half decent in order to tolerate the chemicals that are used in them.

They didn't have any of the Hills brand ones at Bunnings.

[Red90]

Garden sprayers work great. They are designed for chemicals and have no problem with the oil.

[123rover50]

I was looking in Bunnings the other day.
The cheap non brand ones had in small print , to only use with water base fluids.
The expensive ones had viton seals but I did not get one.

[scarry]

We use pumps similar to these at work,for sucking oil out of compressors.And on occasions refilling.
I just can't remember where we got ours from.

DRILL PUMP | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/i/232861175767?chn=ps)

[rick130]

We use pumps similar to these at work,for sucking oil out of compressors.And on occasions refilling.
I just can't remember where we got ours from.

DRILL PUMP | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/i/232861175767?chn=ps)I like that.

We broke a rod on an 8GE Bitzer a few months back and have subsequently drained 20l of oil out of the system. [emoji33]

I pulled 1.2 litres out of one of its mates plus 0.7 out of another on Thursday while taking oil samples.

[scarry]

I like that.

We broke a rod on an 8GE Bitzer a few months back and have subsequently drained 20l of oil out of the system. [emoji33]

I pulled 1.2 litres out of one of its mates plus 0.7 out of another on Thursday while taking oil samples.


Thats a bloody lot of oil...

We used the pumps a lot on a job where we had to change the oil in a heap of MTZ160's,undo the suction service valve and push a bit of tube down to the sump of the compresser.

And return a week later to sample.

Saved taking the compressor out and tipping it over,some remove the oil level glass,but that is always a bit risky.

[Don 130]

I got a Kincrome oil transfer pump and used it for the first time the other day. It shifts 500 mls per stroke, so filling the gearbox was a very quick job. The hoses are a metre long each, so the operator can be well out of the way of errant drips. Recommended.
Don.

[Tombie]

I used a Hills garden spray for years to bleed Defender brakes and it's still going strong.
The seals are probably Viton as they need to resist herbicides.

Viton and brake fluid dont play nice [smilebigeye] EPDM for Brakes (in modern fluids) and Viton / Nitrile for more conventional oils.

[rick130]

Viton and brake fluid dont play nice [smilebigeye] EPDM for Brakes (in modern fluids) and Viton / Nitrile for more conventional oils.Yep, you're right.
For some reason I thought I used to use Flurocarbon in the concentric clutch slaves in the race cars years ago??
Obviously not, they would've leaked like sieves [emoji849]

As you say, probably just good old NBR in the old sprayer.

[pixeljasper]

Great ideas here. Thank you!

I’m doing the transfer box oil on my D1 300tdi and the Repco transfer pump I got just siezed up….
Think I’m off to check weedkiller spray bottles tomorrow!

[Tombie]

Yep, you're right.
For some reason I thought I used to use Flurocarbon in the concentric clutch slaves in the race cars years ago??
Obviously not, they would've leaked like sieves [emoji849]

As you say, probably just good old NBR in the old sprayer.

You may have been depending on the fluid [emoji41]

[AK83]

For folks still looking for a TomThumb type replacement bottle that doesn't need questionable electric pump reliability .. I got one of these of ebay

1.5Lt syringe bottle (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/363512519411?chn=ps&_ul=AU&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=363512519411&targetid=1396698960371&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071391&poi=&campaignid=14474119807&mkgroupid=127424473355&rlsatarget=pla-1396698960371&abcId=9300653&merchantid=508462944&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2sqOBhCGARIsAPuPK0iGpw4C1uVZVfKgCJHZ R5hnL3HigdzVXDHfX3gfwK4W3fvJqiOER8caAu6OEALw_wcB)

Quality is quite good. The additional fittings are of high quality too. Can recommend.
Much quicker to do, say, a transfer case which needs something like >2lt when compared to a TomThumb type(which I also have).

Will get at least one other one .. just to save the hassle of cleaning out thoroughly for when doing brake fluid and then coolant .. don't want cross contamination like that .. so easier to have a few on hand.

I'll supply a picture link for when that ebay link dies at some point in the future.

1.5lt syringe bottle images (https://www.google.com/search?q=1.5L+Oil+Fluid+Extraction+Syringe&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi8v_W53Jb1AhVfg2MGHbL5DzQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=1.5L+Oil+Fluid+Extraction+Syringe&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDoHCCMQ7wMQJ1CaClibE2DlJ2gAcAB4AIA BoAKIAbsLkgEFMC43LjGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABA Q&sclient=img&ei=8ITTYbyHGd-GjuMPsvO_oAM&bih=1283&biw=2100&client=firefox-b-d).

If you go to the image link, local stores like Total/Sydney Tools have them too, but having seen one at Total Tools, it's the same bottle, just that the store versions don't have the additional fittings.

[pixeljasper]

Looks good - I'm getting at least one to have around!

[pixeljasper]

So . . . I popped off to Mitre 10 the other day and found an "Earthcore" Heavy Duty 5 litre Garden Sprayer - with Viton seals - for $27. I just took the end nozzle off and used it otherwise unmodified to replace the transfer box oil. Filled it just over 2.3l and pressurised it. The transfer was done perfectly in one shot. Caught the overflow in a big jug - otherwise I didn't spill a drop. It was quick enough without being exciting. Very nice not to be under the car pumping rather sitting to the side giving the pressure container the odd pump.

For the gear box oil I will have to rig up a hooked spout to hang in the filler, and possibly shorten the whole tube so it flows faster. Will attach the spout from the now dead Repco pump – looks like that will work well.

[350RRC]

Hills garden sprayer, 5 litres from memory. Have posted this before so do a search.

Cut the wand and bend it into a tight hook so it hangs in the diff or TC filler hole.

Fill with the right vol of the right oil, pump it up, insert in hole and go and do something else for 10 mins. Has a lock on function on the trigger.

Must have viton or similar seals because mine is at least 5 years old old and still works perfectly.

Not cheap though................ maybe $15. [bigrolf]

DL

This thing is still going fine, used it to fill a manual trans and TC in my 99 Mazda ute a couple of weeks ago.

Did notice what appeared to be a blockage in the bottom of the suction tube.......... turned out to be a filter, not really needed for new oil fills. Never noticed it before.

Performance upgrade: remove filter, cuts fill time by maybe 30%. [bigrolf]

cheers, DL