On Nov 24, 2007, at 7:40 PM, Mike Collum wrote:

> All that said, changing the oil and filter is pretty much like what
> you'd on any engine.  Remove drain plug and drain oil into a suitable
> container.  Replace crush washer on plug.  Put fresh oil into the new
> filter (about 3/4 of the way up) and screw it on.  Replace drain plug.
> Put fresh oil in being careful not to over fill.

Are "topsider" oil suckers which drain the oil by suction from the
dipstick suitable for Vanagons?  Basically it depends on whether the
dipstick tube goes to the bottom of the case or not.

If they are, this would remove the need to replace the crush washer
and fear of stripping the threads...

Allan