For those who like idea of Fumoto but don’t like the risk… try this!

[SubieRubyRoo]

Here’s some pics of my new Stahlbus drain valve. There’s no way for oil to leak from this unintentionally. Not only is the main valve a ball-check, there is a 2nd cap that’s sealed with o-ring. There is a small, 1/4 turn insert that’s attached to a chunk of hose to aid clean drains.

I’m actually thinking about attaching my vacuum extractor to the hose so I make sure I get a complete drain by being able to put the whole engine under vacuum

 

[The Critic]

Seems similar to these:

https://agatools.com/products/clean-oil-drain-plugs?variant=40050695700671

 

[newtoncd8]

ValvoMax oil drain system also similar and easy.
https://www.valvomax.com/

 

[Trav]

I went with the ValvoMax only because it is all stainless, the Stahlbus is regular steel. It probably makes zero difference.

 

[ecotourist]

Looks like a good design.

 

[jhellwig]

Fram used to have one of similar design. I liked it way better than the fumoto valve I had.

 

[hrv]

Not me I will do it the old way....Drain and a new crush washer...

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

The CleanOil is more than double the Stahlbus cost. The ValvoMax is close in cost but has a full thread to drain, whereas the Stahlbus is $46 and 1/4 turn. Like I said, I’ve used at least 3 Fumotos, and looking at all these designs, so far the Stahlbus is the simplest, safest, and easy to use drain I’ve found.

I already ordered one for the Transit Connect and will get one for my Impreza as soon as I find the right thread size. It should make changes on the Impreza about a 3-5 minute affair with no real mess!

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Not me I will do it the old way....Drain and a new crush washer...

The Stahlbus has a metal gasketed washer- it’s o-ringed on the entire center surface, so when you torque it down you get o-ring seal on both the pan and drain plug side. 15 ft-lbs max is all it takes.

 

[ChristianReske]

I went with the ValvoMax only because it is all stainless, the Stahlbus is regular steel. It probably makes zero difference.

The stahlbus valve is also Aviailable in Stainless steel. ("Edelstahl" in german)

https://www.stahlbus.de/oelablassventile/edelstahl/?xoid=k4oc0okvt73qr65tt24e2gg0g0

 

[ChristianReske]

There is a old, time proved system around here, wich is mainly used at farm equipment and hydraulic systems. But it is still very unknown and not popular with Car and Motorcycle owners here.

https://skarke.de/en/products/oil-service-valves/

https://hermansdorfer.com/index.php/oelablassventile

Works similar to the Stahlbus.

 

[hrv]

The Stahlbus has a metal gasketed washer- it’s o-ringed on the entire center surface, so when you torque it down you get o-ring seal on both the pan and drain plug side. 15 ft-lbs max is all it takes.

Thats good but the old way of doing it has worked for me over the years with NO issues...

 

[Trav]

The stahlbus valve is also Aviailable in Stainless steel. ("Edelstahl" in german)

https://www.stahlbus.de/oelablassventile/edelstahl/?xoid=k4oc0okvt73qr65tt24e2gg0g0

I saw that, they didn't have any in the US when I inquired about them a year or two ago and I wasn't about to go chasing one.
If the pan has been repaired especially aluminum pans and aftermarket pans which do not have very sold threads they are good thing.

 

[meep]

I spent the cake for something like this for the 2.7 F150. The I/D for the drain hose was maybe 1/4”, which meant the I/D for the nipple inside the drain hose was even smaller. The flow rate was really slow, so I pulled it out, stuck it in a baggie and went back to the plastic yellow drain plug. their pan is such a unique design, most folks don’t make a solution for that vehicle.

 

[zray1]

The Fumoto is risky ? I had’t heard.

Where is the data on that ? All the ones I’ve installed are sill functioning OK several years later. Is there an expiration date on their reliability ?

Z

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Z, there are plenty of “safe” applications for Fumoto. I’m not saying anything bad against them; but say on a 7.3 Powerstroke, the valve is the lowest point on the truck. I’d never use one there… but the Stahlbus is a lower risk anywhere due to the ball-check and o-ringed cap. It requires the insert to open the ball-check and cannot be opened by road debris. That’s all…

 

[zray1]

Oh, ok. I thought there might be some failures of the safety clip or lever breaking that I was not aware of

Z

 

[spk2000]

Seems similar to these:

https://agatools.com/products/clean-oil-drain-plugs?variant=40050695700671

$100 seems a bit high for what it is

 

[paulo57509]

While shopping oil drain valves, I came across Aeroquip sump drain valves for a Continental engine that was $409.00. Good thing the threads were 5/8-18 and wouldn't work any applications I have. There was another with 1-18 threads. This one was $1,264.00

 

[Astro14]

$100 seems a bit high for what it is

It's also very nicely made. It's a nice system - with the extractor pump - I can see the attraction for a shop with lots of high end cars that have plastic engine shielding. The time savings alone from leaving the under pans in place would make this attractive.