Fumoto drain valve, not so great.....

[SilverC6]

Did a change today on my Toyota Land Cruiser.

Last change, I took the opportunity to swap in a Fumoto valve for the drain plug.

Today, I smugly flipped open the valve and it drained, and drained, and drained, and drained, and drained.

The Land Cruiser has a 8 quart sump and it seemed like forever for all eight quarts to drain out the little hole in the valve.

While I was under there, I just took the cresent wrench and removed the Fumoto.

I've always wanted one of those things and finally installed one.

Now I'm just underwhelmed by its performance.

 

[Subdued]

That's the biggest concern people have with those, they require patience.

 

[otis24]

Its a trade-off, less mess but slower drain time. They are much better than the SureDrain valve that Fram offered some years back.

 

[gregk24]

I don't understand how these work, but wouldn't there be a possibility that the valve could fail? It sounds like a neat product but I don't if I could trust it.

 

[BHopkins]

Sorry to hear of your negative opinion of your Fumoto valve.

I love mine. While it is a little slower, the benefits far outweigh that. For me, I hook up my drain line to the Fumoto valve and put the other end in my waste oil container, and then open the valve and let the oil drain. While the oil is draining I remove the oil filter and install the new filter. By the time I am done changing the filter, the oil is drained. But the Outback 2.5 holds only 5 quarts.

The only time that hasn't worked out for me is when I failed to take the car for a short drive to warm the oil before oil change. That time i found myself waiting a couple extra minutes before all the oil was drained. It seemed like quite a while, but it was only a couple minutes. Learned my lesson. From now on I'll make sure the oil is up to temp before draining.

 

[Hollow]

Originally Posted By: SilverC6
Did a change today on my Toyota Land Cruiser.

Last change, I took the opportunity to swap in a Fumoto valve for the drain plug.

Today, I smugly flipped open the valve and it drained, and drained, and drained, and drained, and drained.

The Land Cruiser has a 8 quart sump and it seemed like forever for all eight quarts to drain out the little hole in the valve.

While I was under there, I just took the cresent wrench and removed the Fumoto.

I've always wanted one of those things and finally installed one.

Now I'm just underwhelmed by its performance.



What model do you have? I might take it off your hands.

 

[BHopkins]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
I don't understand how these work, but wouldn't there be a possibility that the valve could fail? It sounds like a neat product but I don't if I could trust it.


It is essentially a small stainless steel ball valve. The handle is spring loaded and is locked into a detent when the valve is in the closed position. Pretty simple device. Really, nothing to fail.

 

[901Memphis]

Yeah they aren't likely to fail it has dual seals.

To the OP did you drain your oil stone cold? That does slow it down but I would be fiddling with the filter while it was draining too. I always take my time when I'm doing a change.

 

[SilverC6]

I believe the Fumoto valves are bulletproof.

I may put it back on again later.

The trouble is once you get the skid plates off the Land Cruiser, you've been under the truck for quite a while already.

Like all BITOGers, I like laying on my back under a vehicle on a cold piece of concrete.

But long enough is long enough.

 

[Jiblet]

Mine has the extension so I can attach a short tube to drain directly into the waste container that I take to the recycler. No spills no drips no cleanup (other than the filter).

But, yes, it drains more slowly.

 

[FutureDoc]

Yes, it does drain more slowly. Then again, a drain-plug drains more slowly that dropping the pan all at once.

I personally love all my fumoto valves. They are on the oil and transmission drain. To speed the drain, have the oil warmed up a bit and pull the oil-stick to make sure air can enter easily as the oil drains out.

I rarely do "just the oil" so I start the fumoto draining and do other work as it goes. Good time to inspect belts or do resistance checks etc.

 

[DirkDiggler]

it works great, but yes, it drains slow. pour another beer and relax.

 

[SilverC6]

I did warm up the vehicle before starting the change.

Fill cap was loose.

Not my first rodeo.

It was 5w-20 PU though.

Good thing I'm not running BMW/Castrol TWS in the Toyota.

I'd still be under the truck.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: Subdued
That's the biggest concern people have with those, they require patience.

+2 on the patience being required.

Why not check the air pressure in your tires while you wait for the oil to drain? The positives are that you are less likely to make a big mess on your hands by removing the drain plug, and you'll be less like to strip the oil pan bolt threads since you don't have to take the fumoto off everytime you drain the oil.


I have fumoto's on both of my vehicles and they are great.

Regards, JC.

 

[Kool1]

I would make sure the engine is nice and hot, not just warmed up, when you drain your oil; otherwise, it will take forever to drain 8 quarts.

 

[TiredTrucker]

Yeah, Fumoto valves have been on every personal vehicle and commercial truck of mine for over a decade. They are especially great on my semi trucks I have put them on. Not a long drain time on those.

 

[ARB1977]

Smaller opening compared to the drain plug. It helps to warm things up. A slower drain gives me time to do other things. I've had one on my Tacoma for 8 years.

 

[Shannow]

Ta for the heads up.

My Nissan is 7L capacity, and really only gets a change per year...I'll stop looking for a Fumoto for it.

 

[EA82]

Doesn't seem like something I would consider, I'm not sure if the main purpose of the valve is to not get oil on your hands but I get some oil spill when changing the filter anyway. Maybe it makes it easier changing the oil in the winter when it's freezing out.

 

[SJohnson]

I have one on my Civic. I start my oil draining, then go ahead and rotate my tires. All the oil is drained when I'm finished with the rotation.