What Are Common Issues With Cheap Oil Drainers?
Throughout our industry, we see all types of waste oil drainers, upright drainers, low level drainers and rolling pit drainers.
You can read more about the benefits of each oil drainer here - https://www.advancefluidcontrol.co.nz/blog-posts/wasteoildrainer
With the abundance of options on the market, it’s important to understand the common issues with waste oil drainers.
Cheap waste oil drainers often suffer from a number of common issues that can affect performance, durability, and safety. Here are the main problems:
Poor Build Quality
Thin or low-grade steel/plastic tanks that dent, crack, or corrode easily.
Weak welds or seals that may leak under pressure or over time.
Unreliable Drain Valves and Seals
Cheap or ill-fitting drain valves can leak or break.
O-rings and gaskets may degrade quickly, especially with hot or dirty oil.
Inadequate Suction or Gravity Drainage
Small diameter drain tubes between the drain bowl and tank can cause overflows.
Incorrectly set up drainers can cause drainage issues when connected to a suction pump.
Clogging and Blockages
Ineffective strainers or lack of filters can lead to clogged hoses or internal lines.
Small openings that can be easily blocked by sludge or debris in used oil.
Unstable Wheels or Base
Small, poorly mounted castors can make the unit hard to move or prone to tipping.
Narrow bases increase the risk of spills during use or transport.
Inaccurate or Fragile Sight Gauges
Low-quality sight tubes can be hard to read, crack easily, or become stained quickly.
Float level indicators may jam or give false readings.
Difficult Maintenance or Cleaning
Non-removable parts or poor access to interior makes cleaning sludge buildup difficult.
Lack of drain plug or poor tank design requiring full disassembly for thorough cleaning.
Limited Capacity or Poor Ergonomics
Small tank volumes may require frequent emptying.
Inflexible drain funnels or short telescopic arms make it hard to position under vehicles.
Advance Fluid Control has different quality options available to help you avoid these common issues. A great, all-round unit is the Meclube 90L Upright Oil Drainer. This unit has a large diameter drain tube, to ensure fast delivery into the storage tank. The drainer also includes an integrated three section tool holder, a 20L recovery basin and extension funnel with 360 degree rotation. The Meclube Drainer can also be fitted with a bracket and coupling for connection to a waste oil pump assembly.
