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[TheBoy]

I'm after a piece of semi rigid tubing to poke down the dipstick tube to suck oil out (that's a separate debate, best left to another day).  Do they have a specific name for me to search on, or can anyone recommend anything suitable.

The dipstick tube, like most, has a bend in it, so needs to be flexible.  The clear tubes I got with the vacuum pump and from Ezibleeds and from bits of old screen wash tubing I had are all a bit too flexible, so hard to get as much oil out as possible.


This hasn't been an issue on the Big Black Pussy, as the engine was designed to be vac'd, so already has a tube fitted (in place of dipstick), but on Little Nell, that has a real, proper dippy.

Any pointers greatly appreciated

[Viral_Jim]

For the sake of an inexpensive solution, would 10mm plastic central heating pipe work? As you would expect, its 10mm O/D and about 6mm I/D.

I have a coil in the shed, happy to lop you a meter off and post it   

[Viral_Jim]

Alternatively, for something with a smaller O/D, would the LPG type pipe work?

I've never done an install so not sure how rigid the stuff is, but it does seem like it be of the required rigidity based on the YT vids I have seen.

https://lpgautosupplies.co.uk/shop/lpg-parts/pipes-and-hoses/faro-poly-pipe-8-mm-size-x-1-m/

[Andy B]

just buy a Pela oil sucker  ..... the lower part of the suction tube on mine is similar to a net curtain wire

[YZ250]

My Pela has semi-rigid (but easily steerable) black pipe with an O/D of 5mm as the ‘drop’ tube. It is more like thin walled straight airline pipe. You’re more than welcome to borrow my Pela until you get sorted. 

[Nick W]

Measure the bore of the dipstick tube, and whatever the fitting is on your drainer.
Find your local hydraulics/pneumatics/agricultural/truck/racecar supplier and tell them what you want. Buy a couple of metres of whichever solution you prefer.


I'd be leaning towards small-bore nylon airline and a rubber hose joiner - less than a fiver if they bother to charge at all

[TheBoy]

Measure the bore of the dipstick tube, and whatever the fitting is on your drainer.
Find your local hydraulics/pneumatics/agricultural/truck/racecar supplier and tell them what you want. Buy a couple of metres of whichever solution you prefer.


I'd be leaning towards small-bore nylon airline and a rubber hose joiner - less than a fiver if they bother to charge at all

This is Brackley. No such thing as "local", unless you are talking Indian restuarants or estate agents.

Hence it'll be online, and dont want to keep buying an chucking stuff because it aint right

[TheBoy]

just buy a Pela oil sucker  ..... the lower part of the suction tube on mine is similar to a net curtain wire

I wonder if I can just buy that bit, as I have a perfectly good 12v oil pump, and that can sort out that bit whilst I do the filter

[Nick W]

Measure the bore of the dipstick tube, and whatever the fitting is on your drainer.
Find your local hydraulics/pneumatics/agricultural/truck/racecar supplier and tell them what you want. Buy a couple of metres of whichever solution you prefer.


I'd be leaning towards small-bore nylon airline and a rubber hose joiner - less than a fiver if they bother to charge at all

This is Brackley. No such thing as "local", unless you are talking Indian restuarants or estate agents.

Hence it'll be online, and dont want to keep buying an chucking stuff because it aint right

That is why you need it in your hand.


And as for nothing local, where do all the farmers/mechanics/engineers/workshops/etc buy all their stuff? All you want is a bit of hose or tube. Googling 'Brackley hydraulics' shows a supplier a couple of miles from your house....

[TheBoy]

Measure the bore of the dipstick tube, and whatever the fitting is on your drainer.
Find your local hydraulics/pneumatics/agricultural/truck/racecar supplier and tell them what you want. Buy a couple of metres of whichever solution you prefer.


I'd be leaning towards small-bore nylon airline and a rubber hose joiner - less than a fiver if they bother to charge at all

You thinking this sort of thing - https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-map-Pneumatic-Tubing-Compressor/dp/B09154XJ6Y/ref=sr_1_14?crid=YMPDFMJ4RIB4&keywords=%22semi+rigid%22+5mm+od+tube&qid=1670506044&sprefix=semi+rigid+5mm+od+tube%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-14

Will that be any better than what I already have, this sort of thing (ignoring size) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clear-Metre-Flexible-Aquarium-Water/dp/B088FFLRW3/ref=sr_1_18?crid=YMPDFMJ4RIB4&keywords=%22semi+rigid%22+5mm+od+tube&qid=1670507046&sprefix=semi+rigid+5mm+od+tube%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-18

[TheBoy]

My Pela has semi-rigid (but easily steerable) black pipe with an O/D of 5mm as the ‘drop’ tube. It is more like thin walled straight airline pipe. You’re more than welcome to borrow my Pela until you get sorted. 

Was looking at buying just the tube.  Seems only european supplier is a company called SVB that want £50 by the time they've charged nearly £30 postage

[Andy B]

I've just measured the suction pipe/hose on my Pela & it's 6mm OD.
I can get hold of loads of 6mm plastic air line ... but will it collapse any in the hot oil? Maybe that's why the OE pipe is metal like a net curtain wire 

[Andy B]

My Pela has semi-rigid (but easily steerable) black pipe with an O/D of 5mm as the ‘drop’ tube. It is more like thin walled straight airline pipe. You’re more than welcome to borrow my Pela until you get sorted. 

You sure? Mine's bigger than yours then 
Mine actually measures 5.7mm  .... near enough to 6mm 

[Andy B]

for those that remember how to read a proper Very-near 

[ronnyd]

for those that remember how to read a proper Very-near 

Wot, no digital one? 

[Andy B]

....
Wot, no digital one? 

Yes ... but at work.  Infact I've collected a few of them .... must bring one home some time 

[TheBoy]

The current stuff I use thats too flexible is 6.5mm, on my DIGITAL ones

Pela replacement tube is silly money, so looking at semi rigid nylon?  Temps look good enough (up to 120C), not sure if it will collapse, but for sake of a couple of quid, gotta be worth a punt, though its from ching chong land, so will land next year.

[YZ250]

for those that remember how to read a proper Very-near 
………

Wot, no digital one? 

The batteries never run out on the manual verniers. 

Andy is very close to my age so when we did our apprenticeships we had to use both imperial and metric measuring tools, calibrating them against slip gauges, but because we’re old, the digital metric type came along quite a bit later. In saying that, I do have a mitutoyo digital vernier …… but the battery has probably run out.   

[Andy B]

The current stuff I use thats too flexible is 6.5mm, on my DIGITAL ones

Pela replacement tube is silly money, so looking at semi rigid nylon?  Temps look good enough (up to 120C), not sure if it will collapse, but for sake of a couple of quid, gotta be worth a punt, though its from ching chong land, so will land next year.

I'll send you some  You've not recently moved have you?

[Andy B]

for those that remember how to read a proper Very-near 
………

Wot, no digital one? 

The batteries never run out on the manual verniers. 

Andy is very close to my age so when we did our apprenticeships we had to use both imperial and metric measuring tools, calibrating them against slip gauges, but because we’re old, the digital metric type came along quite a bit later. In saying that, I do have a mitutoyo digital vernier …… but the battery has probably run out.   

My problem was actually reading an ordinary very-near after years of using a digital .... it's not that I'd forgotten, I just
 couldn't see the blasted thing. Where are my reading glasses! 

[TheBoy]

The current stuff I use thats too flexible is 6.5mm, on my DIGITAL ones

Pela replacement tube is silly money, so looking at semi rigid nylon?  Temps look good enough (up to 120C), not sure if it will collapse, but for sake of a couple of quid, gotta be worth a punt, though its from ching chong land, so will land next year.

I'll send you some  You've not recently moved have you?

Still here in deepest Brakkers

[Andy B]

The current stuff I use thats too flexible is 6.5mm, on my DIGITAL ones

Pela replacement tube is silly money, so looking at semi rigid nylon?  Temps look good enough (up to 120C), not sure if it will collapse, but for sake of a couple of quid, gotta be worth a punt, though its from ching chong land, so will land next year.

I'll send you some  You've not recently moved have you?

Still here in deepest Brakkers

I'll dig a suitable envelope out 

[TheBoy]

for those that remember how to read a proper Very-near 
………

Wot, no digital one? 

The batteries never run out on the manual verniers. 

Andy is very close to my age so when we did our apprenticeships we had to use both imperial and metric measuring tools, calibrating them against slip gauges, but because we’re old, the digital metric type came along quite a bit later. In saying that, I do have a mitutoyo digital vernier …… but the battery has probably run out.   

I went through 3 sets of calipers to measure mine before I found a working set.  Must buy some batteries.

[YZ250]

The current stuff I use thats too flexible is 6.5mm, on my DIGITAL ones

Pela replacement tube is silly money, so looking at semi rigid nylon?  Temps look good enough (up to 120C), ………..

Mine is semi-rigid plastic of some sort, on a Pela 6000. I’ll take a photo of it, with a vernier reading if I have a battery for it. My original measurement was a guesstimate using a steel rule. 
If you Google the Pela 6000, the tube changes size via a rubber adapter. 

[TheBoy]

The current stuff I use thats too flexible is 6.5mm, on my DIGITAL ones

Pela replacement tube is silly money, so looking at semi rigid nylon?  Temps look good enough (up to 120C), ………..

Mine is semi-rigid plastic of some sort, on a Pela 6000. I’ll take a photo of it, with a vernier reading if I have a battery for it. My original measurement was a guesstimate using a steel rule. 
If you Google the Pela 6000, the tube changes size via a rubber adapter. 

Yeah, looked at the Pela one earlier.  Reports on forums show its a bit delicate in some cars, but spare tubes are available. Sadly, although the headline price for the replacement tube is £15, but the time its been taxed, customs and posted, its £50 .

I think the Pela one is a steel tight coil thats plastic coated? Or certainly the one I looked at was (might have been the 650 model)

[Andy B]

...
 but because we’re old, the digital metric type came along quite a bit later.  ....

indeed .... some what later. We went to UMIST from school (late 70s  ) & they showed us some digital micrometres. But as you say, it was years later before they became an affordable thing for the shop floor

[Andy B]

...
I think the Pela one is a steel tight coil thats plastic coated?  ...

that's what mine is

[YZ250]

The current stuff I use thats too flexible is 6.5mm, on my DIGITAL ones

Pela replacement tube is silly money, so looking at semi rigid nylon?  Temps look good enough (up to 120C), ………..

Mine is semi-rigid plastic of some sort, on a Pela 6000. I’ll take a photo of it, with a vernier reading if I have a battery for it. My original measurement was a guesstimate using a steel rule. 
If you Google the Pela 6000, the tube changes size via a rubber adapter. 

Apologies, completely ignore my previous comments and listen to Andy.    It is indeed like net curtain hanger. Plastic coated spring type tubing measuring O/D 5.66mm on my digital vernearial caliper.
My apologies for misleading you. 

[TheBoy]

The current stuff I use thats too flexible is 6.5mm, on my DIGITAL ones

Pela replacement tube is silly money, so looking at semi rigid nylon?  Temps look good enough (up to 120C), ………..

Mine is semi-rigid plastic of some sort, on a Pela 6000. I’ll take a photo of it, with a vernier reading if I have a battery for it. My original measurement was a guesstimate using a steel rule. 
If you Google the Pela 6000, the tube changes size via a rubber adapter. 

Apologies, completely ignore my previous comments and listen to Andy.    It is indeed like net curtain hanger. Plastic coated spring type tubing measuring O/D 5.66mm on my digital vernearial caliper.
My apologies for misleading you. 

Can we just rip the pi55 from you now?

[YZ250]

…….
Apologies, completely ignore my previous comments and listen to Andy.    It is indeed like net curtain hanger. Plastic coated spring type tubing measuring O/D 5.66mm on my digital vernearial caliper.
My apologies for misleading you. 

Can we just rip the pi55 from you now?

     Yep, I’ll give you that one.

A calibrated eye to within 0.5mm but didn’t see a ruddy great spring running up the inside. 

[Andy B]

…….
Apologies, completely ignore my previous comments and listen to Andy.    It is indeed like net curtain hanger. Plastic coated spring type tubing measuring O/D 5.66mm on my digital vernearial caliper.
My apologies for misleading you. 

Can we just rip the pi55 from you now?

     Yep, I’ll give you that one.

A calibrated eye to within 0.5mm but didn’t see a ruddy great spring running up the inside. 

 

[Doctor Gollum]

My Pela has semi-rigid (but easily steerable) black pipe with an O/D of 5mm as the ‘drop’ tube. It is more like thin walled straight airline pipe. You’re more than welcome to borrow my Pela until you get sorted. 

You sure? Mine's bigger than yours then 
Mine actually measures 5.7mm  .... near enough to 6mm 

0.3mm must be really cold to under read that much

[Nick W]

Measure the bore of the dipstick tube, and whatever the fitting is on your drainer.
Find your local hydraulics/pneumatics/agricultural/truck/racecar supplier and tell them what you want. Buy a couple of metres of whichever solution you prefer.


I'd be leaning towards small-bore nylon airline and a rubber hose joiner - less than a fiver if they bother to charge at all

You thinking this sort of thing - https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-map-Pneumatic-Tubing-Compressor/dp/B09154XJ6Y/ref=sr_1_14?crid=YMPDFMJ4RIB4&keywords=%22semi+rigid%22+5mm+od+tube&qid=1670506044&sprefix=semi+rigid+5mm+od+tube%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-14

That's the stuff. I use similar(6mm bore) for fuel lines, and it's about £1/m. Hot oil might soften it a bit, but that will be OK - it takes a fair amount of time with a heat gun to fit standard fuel fittings into it. The amount you want is probably in the bin

[ronnyd]

for those that remember how to read a proper Very-near 
………

Wot, no digital one? 

The batteries never run out on the manual verniers. 

Andy is very close to my age so when we did our apprenticeships we had to use both imperial and metric measuring tools, calibrating them against slip gauges, but because we’re old, the digital metric type came along quite a bit later. In saying that, I do have a mitutoyo digital vernier …… but the battery has probably run out.   

My problem was actually reading an ordinary very-near after years of using a digital .... it's not that I'd forgotten, I just
 couldn't see the blasted thing. Where are my reading glasses! 

I only have an old analogue Mitatoyo vernier caliper. I remember when digital came out and the engineering unions complained that they were deskilling the job for their members.

[Jukeboxnut]

The flexible tube on my Pela is the same as the outer casing fitted to bicycle brake cables.
I have replaced the one on mine (which I damaged) with a spare brake cable outer case cut down to length.  Brake cable is easily bought from any bike shop, Halfords or ebay very cheaply in a wide range of lengths and it is perfect for feeding down dipstick tubes.  I have used it on my Mercedes autobox dip tube several times just a bit slow extracting due to the small bore.

[Andy B]

The flexible tube on my Pela is the same as the outer casing fitted to bicycle brake cables......

Good idea

[biggriffin]

Any Hydraulic hose company, can supply plastic air hose as used on Trucks, from 2mm up to 20mm,, gets cut of a roll, and push fittings to suit.

[Andy B]

Any Hydraulic hose company, can supply plastic air hose as used on Trucks, from 2mm up to 20mm,, gets cut of a roll, and push fittings to suit.

it's better when it comes from a company's stores 

[Nick W]

Any Hydraulic hose company, can supply plastic air hose as used on Trucks, from 2mm up to 20mm,, gets cut of a roll, and push fittings to suit.

There's an echo in here   The couple of metres required probably wouldn't be charged for if you don't annoy the counterman.


Although apparently Brackley is twinned with Timbuktu and is bereft of suppliers of anything.

[TheBoy]

Although apparently Brackley is twinned with Timbuktu and is bereft of suppliers of anything.

Except Indian restaurants and estate agents.  We have hundreds of them.

Mind you, we've joined the 20th century now, and got an Argos

[Sir Tigger KC]

Although apparently Brackley is twinned with Timbuktu and is bereft of suppliers of anything.

Except Indian restaurants and estate agents.  We have hundreds of them.

Mind you, we've joined the 20th century now, and got an Argos

I thought apart from a few sub branches in Sainsburys, Argos was online these days?     

[STEMO]

Although apparently Brackley is twinned with Timbuktu and is bereft of suppliers of anything.

Except Indian restaurants and estate agents.  We have hundreds of them.

Mind you, we've joined the 20th century now, and got an Argos

I thought apart from a few sub branches in Sainsburys, Argos was online these days?     

Nah, mahoosive one here in sunny barnsley.

[ronnyd]

Although apparently Brackley is twinned with Timbuktu and is bereft of suppliers of anything.

Except Indian restaurants and estate agents.  We have hundreds of them.

Mind you, we've joined the 20th century now, and got an Argos

I thought apart from a few sub branches in Sainsburys, Argos was online these days?     

If you don't have a Sainsbury's you'll have a separate Argos.

[Nick W]

Although apparently Brackley is twinned with Timbuktu and is bereft of suppliers of anything.

Except Indian restaurants and estate agents.  We have hundreds of them.

Mind you, we've joined the 20th century now, and got an Argos

We too have restaurants and any space bigger than a cupboard with its own door is likely to become an estate agents.


Chatham Argos closed recently, so perhaps you have it now?

[TheBoy]

Although apparently Brackley is twinned with Timbuktu and is bereft of suppliers of anything.

Except Indian restaurants and estate agents.  We have hundreds of them.

Mind you, we've joined the 20th century now, and got an Argos

I thought apart from a few sub branches in Sainsburys, Argos was online these days?     

Yeah it is in Sainsbury.  We have one of those now as well.  We're only about 40 years behind here

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Sounds ideal. 
The fewr shops in a vicinuty the more I like it.

[biggriffin]

Any Hydraulic hose company, can supply plastic air hose as used on Trucks, from 2mm up to 20mm,, gets cut of a roll, and push fittings to suit.

it's better when it comes from a company's stores 

 Since we've been taken over, restocking my own stores has become difficult.