Thorstone 200cc Automotive Fluid Extractor Pump, Manual Oil Change Syringe with 2pcs 22cm PVC Suction Tubes

What it is and who it’s for

The Thorstone fluid extractor is a manual, syringe-style pump sized at 200 cc that’s built for moving small amounts of automotive fluids in and out of tight places. I’ve been using it for spot jobs—pulling a bit of engine oil after an overfill, extracting brake fluid from a master cylinder, swapping power steering fluid a reservoir at a time, and draining small engines (mowers, generators, a pressure washer) without making a mess. It’s not meant for full crankcase oil changes on cars, but for targeted extractions and refills where precision and cleanliness matter, the format makes a lot of sense.

If you’re a DIYer who likes maintenance neat and controlled, or a tech looking for a compact extractor that doesn’t need power or compressed air, this tool earns its place in the drawer.

Design and build

Thorstone uses a transparent body with a dual rubber-ring piston, precision-threaded tube ends, and two clear PVC extension tubes (0.24" OD and 0.32" OD). Connected, the tubes reach about 40 cm, which is long enough for most reservoir work and shallow sumps. The included silicone non-drip connector and end caps are thoughtful touches for keeping things tidy between uses.

In hand, the body feels sturdier than bargain-bin syringes, and the piston seals hold vacuum well. The “locking” button (a collar that secures the hose connection) is a nice safeguard when you’re pushing fluid back in; it helps prevent a hose from popping off mid-stroke. The transparency of both the barrel and the tubes is genuinely useful—you can see bubbles, debris, and color changes as you work.

Setup and first use

Out of the box, I gave the tubes and barrel a quick rinse with isopropyl alcohol to remove any molding residue. The threads on the tube ends engage smoothly; don’t over-tighten or you’ll risk deforming the plastic. A quarter-turn past snug has been enough to seal for me.

Before the first pull, I lubricated the piston’s rubber rings with a small dab of silicone grease. That reduced initial stiffness and helped the plunger glide more evenly. It’s optional, but worthwhile—especially if you plan to use the tool for thicker fluids like gear oil.

Performance and control

For extraction, the action is predictable and mess-free. The dual seals keep vacuum consistent, so you don’t get that chattery feel some single-seal syringes have near the end of the stroke. With warm engine oil, ATF, or power steering fluid, a full 200 cc draw takes just a couple of seconds. With cold gear oil, it’s slower—as expected—but still manageable.

For refilling, the locking connection helps a lot. I’ve used the extractor to push measured amounts of fresh fluid back into a transmission pan via the fill plug and to top off a transfer case. The clear barrel and 200 cc volume make it easy to dose accurately. A minor quirk: if you’re using the silicone reducer on a slick, oil-wet barb, it can loosen during repeated pushes. A small zip tie or micro hose clamp on the tube is a simple fix.

Brake fluid work deserves a separate note. The syringe is excellent for evacuating a master cylinder or reservoir before a bleed or flush. Because brake fluid is aggressive toward paint and some plastics, I keep a dedicated set of tubes labeled “brake only” and cap them after use. The extractor’s chemical resistance has held up fine so far, but the smartest practice is segregating hoses by fluid type to avoid cross-contamination.

Capacity and reach

At 200 cc per stroke, this tool shines for small engines and reservoir jobs. For a lawn mower or pressure washer, you can evacuate the crankcase in a handful of pulls without tipping the machine on its side. For automotive oil changes, I treat it as a helper, not the main act—great for pulling a couple hundred milliliters to correct an overfill or to sample oil without touching the drain plug.

The included tubing reaches about 40 cm. That covers most under-hood reservoirs and shallow sumps. If you need to snake deep into a dipstick tube or past obstructions, a length of 1/4" nylon tubing makes a cheap, rigid extension. It mates nicely with the included silicone reducer and maintains vacuum well.

Leak resistance and cleanliness

Between the dual piston rings and threaded hose interface, leakage has been minimal in my use. I’ve had two scenarios where drips appeared:

• When I left the extractor sitting tip-down after a hot oil pull. Solution: cap the tube or hold the barrel upright until you expel into a container.
• When the silicone reducer softened slightly after prolonged contact with oil. Solution: clamp the connection, or switch to a firmer fitting for oily, repeated push-pull cycles.

The end caps are handy for transport and for keeping dust out. I also appreciate the non-drip connector, which reduces weeping when transitioning from extraction to disposal.

Maintenance and longevity

This kind of tool lives or dies by how you clean it. My routine after each job:

• Expel the bulk of the fluid into a waste container.
• Pull a small amount of an appropriate cleaner through the tube and into the barrel, then expel. (Mineral spirits for oil/ATF/gear oil, denatured alcohol for brake fluid.)
• Follow with a bit of air to dry the hose, then cap the ends.
• Wipe the piston rod and reapply a touch of silicone grease if it feels dry.

Done this way, the piston seals have stayed pliable and the tubes remain clear. If you plan to use the extractor across different fluids, it’s worth dedicating tubes by system (oil/ATF/brake/coolant) and storing them capped and labeled. It dramatically cuts risk of cross-contamination.

Limitations and quirks

• Stroke stiffness: Out of the box, the plunger can feel stiff. A small amount of silicone grease on the seals helps. After a few cycles, it smooths out.
• Hose security: The silicone reducer can loosen once saturated with oil. A small clamp or switching to a more positive barb fitting solves it.
• No check valve: Like any syringe, there’s no internal check valve to “hold” fluid or vacuum on its own. You control the flow with your hand. If you need hands-free retention or continuous extraction, a vacuum canister or dedicated extractor is better.
• Tube length: 40 cm is fine for reservoirs but borderline for some deep dipstick tubes. Keep extra nylon tubing on hand if you plan on deeper extractions.
• Instructions: The included guidance is basic. If you’re new to fluid work, look up your specific vehicle’s procedures to avoid introducing air or contamination.

Safety and best practices

• Never use this with gasoline or solvents that attack PVC/silicone. Know your materials.
• Brake fluid will strip paint—keep rags and water nearby, and cap lines before moving the tool.
• Warm, not hot, fluids extract more easily. Running the engine briefly to warm oil helps; don’t work on a hot engine where burns are possible.
• Always dispose of fluids properly.

Value and where it fits in a kit

Electric and pneumatic extractors are faster for large-volume work, but they’re bulky, pricier, and less precise for dosing. The Thorstone syringe fills a different niche: controlled, measured in/out service with minimal mess. For the cost and footprint, it’s one of those “use it more than you expect” tools—especially if you maintain a mix of small engines and vehicles.

Recommendation

I recommend the Thorstone fluid extractor for anyone who needs a compact, reliable way to move small amounts of automotive fluids with control and minimal mess. It’s well sealed, easy to see through, and versatile across oil, ATF, power steering fluid, coolant, and brake fluid tasks. The 200 cc capacity is perfect for corrections, sampling, reservoir service, and small engines, and the manual format means no cords, batteries, or compressors to fuss with.

Be aware of its limits: it’s not a high-volume extractor, the included tubing may be short for certain jobs, and the silicone reducer benefits from a clamp when it’s oil-wet. If you can live with those quirks—and you keep it clean—the Thorstone is a dependable, affordable addition to a home garage or pro cart.