oil change drain plug with valve

Has anyone here tried these easy-change oil drain plugs?
They have a valve with a locking lever to open it.
http://www.fumotovalve.com/

I was considering one after chainging my oil recently.
One version even has a nipple to use tubing to drain the oil into a
container. No chance of stripping the oilpan threads out.

 

you know, that's one thing i'd definitely never do. oil leakage is one
thing, but the possibility of total dump from a component like this?
sorry, not for me. and you don't strip threads if you know what you're
doing.

 

I used a similar product from Fram once, I think it was called
Sure-Drain. I ended up ditching it after a few uses because it slowed
things down and protruded enough under the vehicle that I worried about
the extra chance of road debris breaking it off.

I've done hundreds of DIY oil changes over the years and have never
stripped a thread.

John

 

I agree with jim and John. I always feared (maybe wrongly) that those gadgets
would fail on me when I'm out driving in the middle of nowhere. I have never
stripped the threads on my drain plugs over the years either so the appeal of
those things means nothing to me.

It's your call though.

 

If you examined the pictures,you would see the LOCKING lever and the notch
it fits into,preventing unintended oil dumps.

 

My Integra's plug is on the rear of the oil pan,so it would not stick out.
I wouldn't consider it either if it stuck out frfom the bottom of the pan.

Well,I just don't like removing the plug and the hot oil splashing all over
me until I can move my hand out of the stream,especially while lying under
the car on my back.

It appears the design prevents any accidental oil dump. (ball valve and
locking lever)

 

thanks jim, but i saw that. fact remains this is still located under a
speeding car where all kinds of debris kicks up, and it's subject to
vibration. hence my position that i'd definitely never have one on my
car. you are however welcome to have one on yours and i wish you well
with it. [what i don't understand though is why you'd bother to ask for
comment if you've already made up your mind and don't want to hear
anything against it... ]

 

You could wear white cotton gloves to keep your hands clean.

 

I've had more trouble controlling the mess when changing the filter. With
the plug I usually get just a couple fingers oily, while with the filter I
try to avoid having the stuff run into my armpit.

Mike

 

The Fumoto valve is the best thing to come along since sliced bread. I
have a Ridgeline, and like most Hondas I think, it has an aluminum pan.
That means BIG bucks for replacement and threads can be more easily
stripped, even if you think you know what you are doing. Put the Fumoto
on once and thats it for the life of the vehicle. I replaced my plug
with a Fumoto (a $6 adapter is also required for Hondas) at the first
oil change. I purchased the kind with a nipple so as to be able to
attach a hose and run it directly to the oil catcher or bucket - not a
drop of oil on the hands or floor.

The spring is very stout and I doubt there is any way you could have it
fling or knocked open under normal circumstances. If I did lots off
roading with my Ridgeline, I would purchase the little optional device
they sell that locks the spring in place. Off roading is the only time
I might be concerned with a failure but even then I would think it is
remote.

This device not only makes changes a snap but it also makes it easy to
take used oil analysis samples. Many people want to see how their oil
is doing at certain mileage intervals rather than waiting until the
final drain. Just open the valve for a few seconds, take your sample
and shut it. The sample oil is replaced by simply topping off. A piece
of cake!

Another good thing about the Fumoto is that it works in any position,
even upside down. This makes it easy to put it in an accessable (or, if
one is overally concerned, in a more protective position). On my
Ridgeline, I had to position it to the side due to an exhaust part that
would make it too hot to get my finger in there to release the spring (I
change my oil when hot so as to increase flow rate and insure any
particles are suspended).

This contraption must not be screwed in real tight, just snug like the
normal drain plug. It requires a washer between the adapter and pan and
also between the valve and adapter. They provide washers and I used one
between the adapter and valve but for the oil pan I used one that came
with the Honda filter as it was thicker. I used the Honda crush washer
instead because in order to have the spring lever in the exact desired
position, you simply use a thinner or thicker washer as the case may be,
rather than trying to position it by tightening it further beyond just
"snug". This device is very well made and the customer support, via
email, is top notch. They are more than happy to talk to you about it
and answer questions.

I think the whole thing, with adapter and the more expensive nipple
style came to $35 shipped. That is the best money I've spent on this
truck since I've owned it.

MARTY

 

I stuffed a wad of paper towels under the filter,and still got a splash on
my glasses.I don't know why they don't position the filter so it does not
empty when removed.

 

Marty,

That's good to hear but I agree with Mike's contention that removing the oil
filter is more of a messy ordeal than the drain plug.

 

it's easy: warm the engine as you normaly would before a change, go
indoors and have lunch, come out, remove filter. while you're eating,
the filter drains. no more spill.

 

My old Cessna 182 had on of those things. It was up under the cowling
where nothing could hit it . You also had to safety wire it closed. I
don't think I would trust one in the open and without a positive lock
closed.

Bob