Draining Apollo Tank

[Andrew Willcox]

Hi,

Just drained hot oil from sump and filter - but I can't shift the bung in the bottom of the Apollo tank.

Purchased the recommended Halfords 32mm spanner but still can't get the bung to turn with Allen Key.

Worried about damaging the tank itself and wondering if it is worth persisting.

How much oil is likely to be in bottom of the Apollo Tank with the system fully drained - feels pretty empty?

 

Andrew

[John Vine]

Do you have a one-way valve fitted in the air-bleed hose between Apollo and cam cover? If not, it's very likely that all the Apollo oil has drained into the sump already.  If you do have a one-way valve, simply disconnect it while draining.

Did/can you measure how much oil has drained out so far?

A useful trick is to detach the hose from the top of the Apollo and blow gently into the tank.  This will push out any oil in there.

And you're right to be worried about damaging the Apollo.  The tank ali is thin and won't resist too much torque on the drain plug.

JV

[Wrightpayne]

I never used to bother - there will be residual oil in the engine too so you never completely evacuate the system. I do quite low mileage so looks almost new when it comes out.

some people remove the top vent and use an oil extractor - pela are a good make.

Regards

Ian

[PROBE2]

As Ian, I never bother draining the last 1/2 litre sitting in bottom of tank based on frequent oil changes and risk of tank damage

[Silver Machine]

Rather than try to undo the plug at the base you could undo the two main hoses plus the air bleed hose and remove the tank. From personal experience I have found this to be more manageable than trying to remove the bung at the base.

Incidentally I personally would not worry about the small amount of oil left in the base of the tank. I generally remove the tank when doing other jobs such as cam belts etc.

[paul richards]

I use a cheap oil pump to drain the oil via the top of the Apollo after removing the braided hose. I got my pump from Lidl but similar are available on eBay. 

[Andrew Willcox]

Thanks guys,

So I managed to manoeuvre  the tank onto its side just removing the breather pipe and got a further quantity of oil out.  Also plenty of oil retained in the sump cleared with sump removal.

Just the foam to cut and sump to replace now... Will enjoy dipping the clean oil when back together.

[John Vine]

Just the foam to cut...

Have you picked up on the "foam/no foam" plus "gasket mod" discussions yet?  (Samples here and here - other varieties available.)  General consensus from those that know (such as Oily) is to ditch the foam altogether and do the gasket mod.

JV

[nickh7]

Get some good penetrating oil on the plug leave overnight. Then tighten the plug a smidge , then try undoing . Worked for me and refit gently. I always drain the tank as the plug has a good magnet and like to see what state it’s in 

[CharlesElliott]

Easy to undo with an impact wrench if you have one. 

[Andrew Willcox]

So I avoided reaching for an impact wrench on this occasion and didn't remove the bung.  Just got all the oil out I could by tipping the Apollo tank on its side.

Gasket modified, foam replaced and refilled - oil looks really clean.

Tappets still noisy when cold though...

Just need some slightly warmer weather over Christmas to get back on the road.