hello,
I need to siphon out some engine oil, because my mechanic tightened the oil drain plug so tightly probably with an impact gun, and I will have to get some help ie breaker bar to break it. However there is quite a bit extra oil in there and I want to get some out before driving to work. Is it possible to siphon through the oil fill cap? I don't have tubing thin enough to go down the dipstick line but I have a suction gun with thicker tubing, but I'm not able to reach any oil, is it even possible? Thanks for any help.

 

You will not be able to navigate a hose through the oil fill cap to the oil pan.

You might be able to remove the dipstick and get a hose through that hole in the block.

if you arent going to take it back to the guy and let him know how he messed up and make him fix it, then never go back there again. That is completely unacceptable from any professional mechanic.

 

The drain plug maybe stripped, so have a spare handy. You may need to chase the threads on the pan, Let's hope not. worse case is remove pan and drill and tap for oversized plug or new pan

you may pump out via the dipstick tube directly , place your pump hose OVER the dipstick tube, CLAMP IT to dipstick tube with a hose clamp, then pump the oil out. No need to snake a pump tubing through the dipstick tube. Use the dipstick tube as an extension of your pump's hose!

Avoid that mechanic, jeeze that is bad.
Seems like the plug might be cross threaded, good grief.

 

You can try some real thin vinyl tubing adapted to a suction gun. IDK if it'll work but worth a shot. Twist it as you thread it down. Adapt it to a suction gun ...It'll come out real slow, but faster if it's warm/hot (engine warm). I've sucked tranny fluid out a few times on various vehicles over the years, when it was overflowed. Yes, it's a bigger tube though.

 

You can try going to that mechanic and have him change the oil and when he calls you to tell you that the drain plug is stuck then you tell him he was the last one that changed the oil and he's the one that over tightened it so he needs to fix it .

 

sounds like a plan, thanks very much!

 

How overfilled is it?

 

YES!! in inches, how far above the full mark on the dipstick?

 

I have had to do the very thing you are looking to do here. Take the dipstick out of the dipstick tube and stick some hose down in the hole and suction it out with a syringe.

I've used this setup with success.
Here's a YouTube video on how to do it if you need instruction:

 

It was 3" over the safe line.
Backstory: I did something terribly stupid for my first-time ever oil change. I mistook the transmission pan for the oil pan and drained that one instead, then I took off the oil filter, replaced it, and filled the engine with an additional 5 qt of oil on top of the old oil plus a qt of MMO. I didn't realize what I had done until the next day, because I had been in a hurry to go to a family dinner for Easter. I got some Dex/Merc transmission fluid and replaced that on Wednesday but could not get that darned oil plug to budge. I had to drive it to work a few times this week as well, while I've been collecting breaker bars, pipes, various suction tools and tubings, ordering sockets for the breaker bar, buying new drain plugs, and on and on, it seemed like one of those endless nightmares....
I was doubtful I would be able to suck enough fluid with the thin tubing going down the dipstick, too. Unless getting one of those super 6.5L suction cannisters, which I just didn't have time for.
Finally today the NAPA boys sent me over to a friendly mechanic across the street who used his power tools to loosen the plug, so this afternoon I drained all the oil, replaced the filter, and put in new T4, with a half qt of MMO.
So I guess the big question is, could I have done any damage? The jeep ran ok except the CEL came on yesterday.
Also, the mechanic told me my transmission gasket was leaking, which makes sense, since I've been noticing low trans. fluid the last month and added a few quarts- any advice on getting a new gasket?

 

Super helpful, thank you! I'm going to get this so I can be prepared if there's a need for it again.

 

That is way over filled! I think you're fine as long as it wasn't making wild noises and the oil pressure looked okay. Glad you got it sorted out. On the plus side you got a transmission fluid change.

The transmission pan gasket is around $12 on Amazon. You don't need the filter, since it's really just a mesh screen and you can flush some brake cleaner through it. It's not a hard job, just messy. Careful that the oil pan bolts only get 5-7 ft*lbs torque, which is only moderately snug with a hand ratchet. Going too tight deforms the edge of the pan causing it to leak, or even worse it will rip the threads out of the bottom of the aluminum transmission.

 

Thank you! Yes, I knew it was way overfilled and it made me very anxious all week! I had wanted to do the transmission fluid anyway, and now I'll get a 2nd flush when I do the gasket.
Some threads say to get the Mopar gasket and it is reusable, or is a felpro ok? is it ok to not use gasket sealant with those?

 

You likely did damage to the tranny driving with the fluid drained, and all that oil in the motor can cause the oil to be whipped into airy froath by the crank, and an airy froat causes low oil pressure which can harm bearings and such. My guess, and it is just a guess is more damage was done to tranny than motor.

 

If you wanna be sure on the tranny before replacing the pan gasket, add 4 quarts to it now. Be aware of the level and color of the fluid. See how it performs.
It will likely be fine. Dex/Merc ATF ONLY!!!