Lumax Fluid Extractor FAIL!

This is a Consumer Awareness post...


I've used fluid extractors many years ago and it was actually easier and less messy when changing fluids/lubrication in my vehicles. I enjoyed maintaining my own vehicles and do it at a moments notice. Now onto my review!


I purchased the LX-1313 2.1 gal pneumatic/manual Fluid Extractor that failed me when I tried to extract motor oil in my 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The 30” dipstick siphon tube was way too short to reach the oil. The comparable OEMTOOLS fluid extractors has an updated 41” dipstick tube. The EWK Fluid Extractor has 47” long dipstick tubes. In fact all other Fluid Extractor manufacturers now has the updated longer dipstick tube recognizing the original standard lengths will not reach the bottom of the oil pan. At the time that I posted this, none of the Lumax Fluid Extractors have a Dipstick Tube longer than 36" which still falls short of the competition.


The following weekend I performed an oil change on my son’s 2010 Toyota Camry LE 2.5L again using the Lumax and the results of extracting the engine oil with the 30” dipstick tube was very disappointing. It pulled only 4 quarts of the Camry’s 5 quart engine oil capacity. So for small cars, it is also a failure.


I’m pretty sure it will positively work extracting oil from my lawn mower!


I first made a call to Lumax customer service, spoke to a fellow named Joe. He suggested that I should send an email describing the problem. He indicated that the issue would be "taken care of". So I emailed info@lumax.con for support on 6/7/2021 took more than a week later I finally received an email response from Lumax’s Vice President Kreshan Amin and stated that the LX-1313 only has the 30” dipstick tube and indeed I should have researched before making my purchase decision. Consumers be aware!!!


However I do acknowledge that this is a high quality tool but Customer Service is non-existent and the Lumax leadership will not support their products deficiency. I’m stuck with the Fluid Extractor that is totally useless to me.


Lumax will probably update their dipstick tubes based on my feedback. Just wished they were a respectable manufacturing representative and provide me an updated tube so I can fully use this product!


I left comments on Social Media regarding the inadequacy of the LX-1313 Fluid Extractor that I purchased. My comments were either removed or they hid them. Very ethical as well!


In retrospect I should have done my research better before I purchased the Lumax. Just wasted my money!

 

Sorry it didn't work out for you, in their defense the 30" tube is listed in the product specifications.

I have a extractor from Griots, probably 25 years old. I couldn't find a close up view of the LX-1313 but if the tube is similar to mine you should be able to purchase the tube material by the foot from an industrial supply house or a hydraulic supply house. Many types of similar tubing are commonly used in industry, bring yours along and a good counterman should be able to get you what you need for a few dollars.

Lowe's and Home Depot will not have this type of material, you need to go to an industrial supplier.

 

I just went to HD and got some 1/4" tubing for my extractor from Horrible Fright. The small tube it came with would not bottom out on my 3.5 or my Rav. It's not hard to mod these things to suit ones needs.

 

Yeah it's like ice machine tubing right?

 

Yep.

 

Thanks RustyGreen!

My biggest gripe was Lumax does not back up their outdated products and that snooty remark from the V.P. basically stating tough luck! If I didn't use it on my son's Camry, I could've returned it for a refund.

I will check out Lowe's and Home Depot as you suggested.

 

A lift tube of published length that is too short for your vehicles is a consumer fail not a product fail.

Who do I write/call/email about my wasted time reading this thread and the misleading title that led me to believe I may be informed about something to avoid?

 

Exactly.

 

So I guess you're a little challenged about understanding why it failed. Their advertising is misleading because it does not work effectively to siphon motor oil completely. Tacoma and a Camry.

Why did the competition upgrade the length of their dipstick tube? Oh Oh... must be because they have a adequate product development team and they back up their product.

I posted this as informational so if someone where to buy something like this it could help them research and select. Most people rely on the manufacturer to provide a product that works as advertised.

Some may read this post and appreciate rather than others wasting their time with worthless information to them.

I truly apologize you found this post useless but maybe it's only you. I wish I could give you back your 30 minutes it took you to read this.

 

Kind of like buying a 10 foot ladder for a job that required a 12 foot ladder and then complaining to the ladder maker that their 10 foot ladder sucks. What a world we live in today!

 

An industrial supplier will have a wider selection of tubing sizes and materials.

Once you have your extractor working good you will wonder how you got along without it.

They work great on mowers & such too.

 

The 30 min to read jab was pretty good. I chuckled. If you spent the same 30 minutes reading the company website you would see that they sell two similar extractors with a 60" hose. They advertise all of their extractors for everything from lawnmowers to yachts. Maybe they should make a list of vehicles that their extractors will fit? Probably something you should add to the email.