Product test: Oil transfer pumps

Easier drivetrain oil changes save time and mess in the workshop. Gary Stretton finds out which pumps work best

Faster drivetrain oil changes save time and mess, but which pump is best for the job?

LAND Rovers need oil because, invariably, Land Rovers use and leak oil. Some call it marking territory, others say it’s rustproofing on the move. Whatever your view on lubrication, draining and refilling should be as hassle-free as possible to make you want to do it as part of your maintenance and servicing schedules. Gearbox and axle oil levels should be checked according to servicing notices, or more often if you are aware of even the smallest but regular weep.

A word of caution: if your Land Rover has stood unused for extended periods and rough ground underneath makes it difficult to see if oil has been leaking, check the levels for sufficient oil before you drive the vehicle. Gearbox experts Ashcroft have told me that a lack of oil is the most common reason for broken or prematurely worn gearboxes and transfer boxes.

Getting lubricants into the drivetrain is made easier with the help of an oil transfer pump, especially if the filler plug is tucked up high, and access from above involves removing interior trim. Oil transfer pumps come in a variety of guises, as our test will demonstrate; so which is the best for your Land Rover? A good measure of

how badly you need a transfer pump is the severity of any leaks requiring regular top-ups or, if you’re very lucky, how few. Regular top-ups require the most efficient, painless version, whereas annual servicing might need only the most basic. But then, if regular top-ups are needed, the component needs attention.

So what should you look for when buying? Capacity is important because the less decanting of oil into the pump, the quicker and less messy the task will be. Aim for a minimum of 500 ml, though 1 litre is my preference because that’s the typical size of oil I buy. A single-handed pump with its own reservoir means you don’t have to secure the oil container with one hand to prevent it toppling over as more oil is removed from it. Pumps with an in and out hose are messier to use, but can be made easier if you cut the hoses to the correct length for the task and use my trick of securing the container with a cable tie to something heavy such as a brick. Stiff curly plastic hoses can be re-trained by carefully using boiling water externally to soften them first.

Or finally, electric pumps are usually self-priming and require no more than a power source. Again with these, secure the oil container to prevent it toppling.