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by dickeytk on 10/16/06 : this is NOT a retrofit, a retrofit is where you take the projector assembly and modify the existing assembly to insert the entire projector into the existing glass casing. This is just simply replacing the bulb. ... more »   respond »
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by knarf on 10/26/06 : The word "retrofit" doesn't just refer to cutting a parabolic reflector type headlight casing to fit a projector lens/body into it, but also to converting halogen bulb lighting to high intensity discharge. You do not "simply replacing the bulb" when you retrofit a car with HID. You have to consider wiring for the ballast, relays, signal wire (for the relay, not the clicker) and power wire to the battery. What YOU are referring to is modifying the headlight assembly which is usually done in poor workmanship e.g. leaky insert, distorted beam pattern, poor alignment, etc. and has nothing to with retrofitting the high intensity discharge lighting. You may be aware, there are two types of headlights found in automobiles: projector and parabolic reflector types. HID lighting can be used in BOTH projector and reflector headlights (e.g. First gen Acura TL used reflector type HID, current gen Acura TL uses projector type.) HID lighting can be retrofit into both types and doesn't require "retrofitting" projectors into parabolic reflector headlight casings. ... more »   respond »
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by thebeans on 02/05/07 : Using the dipstick drain pumps to change your oil is a bad idea. It may keep you a little cleaner but it just doesn't work well. When you remove the drain plug and let the oil drain out, it washing all the gunk that has collected in the bottom of the oil pan out. Using a dipstick pump to drain the oil will leave a lot of the gunk behind and will not get out as much of the old oil as draining will. ... more »   respond »
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by mrcrabbit on 02/23/07 : never heard anything so ridiculous in my 74 yrs.why do you think the drain plug is at the lowest point in the sump,to get the sludge drained out, thats why!.draining from the dip stick tube leaves it in ready to mix with the nice clean oil. ... more »   respond »
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by knarf on 06/04/07 : Thanks for your responses! This is a long-running debate and there are "drainers" who can't imagine a simpler way to change oil is better than getting under the hood. New Mercedes are designed to have oil sucked through the dipstick tube. The evac method will get just as much oil out as getting under the hood. It would be fair to say when the engine is warm and the oil has been circulating, solids are suspended in the oil and would be "sucked" out with the oil via a pump. Drainers wouldn't do an oil change without warming up the car for the same reason or the sludge will just sit at the bottom. If you prefer to drain the oil, that's fine. I've had this discussion with many "drainers" and it's like trying to persuade a vegetarian to eat a filet mignon. Just for fodder, even Car Talk guys agree with me. :) http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1997/July/09. ... more »   respond »
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by kmacd on 02/24/08 : Are you saying there is no drain plug on Mercedes? ... more »   respond »
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by amliddle on 03/23/08 : Sucking out the oil from the dipstick does not seem a problem, however, where the oil goes from the suction pump IS the problem. It should NOT go straight into the bulk recycle bin with all the other oil UNTIL it has been inspected closely to see what condition it is in and what sludge was in the sump. ... more »   respond »
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by knarf on 03/25/08 : Greetings all! Just wanted to respond to some of the new comments: - Yes, MB cars have drain plugs.:) - Most auto part shops accept used engine oil and coolant which are recycled properly. Most city dumps also accept used oil which are recycled. - Please feel free to drain engine oil if you believe it removes more oil than evac through the dipstick tube. I have experiemented doing it both ways and found no difference for my cars. I even used rapair ramps to tilt the car when removing the oil via drain plug to get as much oil out as possible. Last food for thought: I worked as a journeyman mechanic in my college days (to pay for books and beer of course.) I have seen plenty of oil pans with 1/2" thick sludge inside. Apparently how oil is removed isn't the real problem. It's not maintaining the engine and changing the oil regualarly that causes the sludge issue. ... more »   respond »
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by harmonyv on 12/25/06 : In step 4 you say that by advancing the timing too much you can bend valves? Not possible. Timing belts and chains control valve timing. Distributors control spark timing. Put simply, if you advance the timing the spark will fire earlier. It won't damage the engine in the short term but if done incorrectly will do it in the long term. How about we leave such things to qualified mechanics. ... more »   respond »
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by jjones232 on 01/16/07 : Bent valves and cracked piston heads are possible with the timing set to far in advance! We've done it to racing engines, accidentally of course, but it can be done. Signed, Very Qualified Mechanic! ... more »   respond »
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