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

Pennzoil motor oil
Status
Not open for further replies.
Originally Posted By: laserred96gt
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.


The main purpose for me to use the Fumoto is to control the drain flow and then make it so there is less mess due to using attached drain hose. It really makes a nice feature to take a mid stream oil sample to send in. The location of the drain plug on my 2013 Silverado, if I only used the plug, then oil would stream clear over to the passenger tire. Having a drain pan at the exact location is a guessing game, and even when the pan is placed properly, the splatter effect is more pronounced due to the angle. With the Fumoto, I don't end up with oil on my lower suspension, tire, and driveway. My hands are the least of my concerns. For my semi trucks, dumping 10 gallons of oil, I need to stop the stream a least once to dump the catch pan nto my used oil drum.

It isn't always just about keeping a little oil out from under your fingernails. Not everyone has the same situation.
 
Do you get a full drain from the Fumoto valve, or do the threads extend higher than the base of the oil pan? And if the threads do extend a few mm above bottom of the pan, would that be an area where unwanted "stuff" could collect?
 
"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."

Had one one every car since early 90s, actually had one on my 92 Camry for over 20 years, never failed, even hit a concrete medium with one, scraped some metal off but kept on working fine. Slow to drain but I let mine drain overnight so no issue for me, time to detail the car.
 
Originally Posted By: thunderfog
Do you get a full drain from the Fumoto valve, or do the threads extend higher than the base of the oil pan? And if the threads do extend a few mm above bottom of the pan, would that be an area where unwanted "stuff" could collect?

A picture is worth a 1,000 words.
SAM_1109.jpg
 
I believe there would have to be some residual oil in the pan.

It certainly depends on the configuration of the drain in the oil pan.

On the Land Cruiser, the drain is at an angle off the pan but the thickness of the valve nipple, or 0.50 X (OD - ID), would have to still be in the pan.

On a drain that was flat on the bottom of the plan, the amount of oil would be the depth of the threaded valve nipple (net of gasket) less the thickness of the pan.

That could easily be 3/16" of old oil/sludge/metals/etc. accumulating in the bottom of the pan.

Could this be a problem?

Hard to say.....
 
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.


We found Fumoto back in the 80's when our aftermarket upfitter began using them. They are a great idea.

However, I found some slime in the pan on one of my fleet vans, and have looked at others and been unhappy with how they lack the fast flushing drain of the stock orifice.

We still use them, but only on certain oil pan designs. IMO if you have a pan with a large flat area and it drains slowly they may not flush out the sludgy stuff as well as a stock orifice...
 
Fumoto valves probably make a lot of sense if you're servicing a heavy equipment fleet or other commercial/industrial engines.

There, the finer points of an oil service probably don't matter.

But residual oil is a part of any oil change, even if you let your vehicle drain overnight.

My son's RX8 has a pair of oil coolers in front of the car.

Even using my Race Ramps, there's at least a quart of oil in the car's system after the sump has fully drained.

I just change the oil often and try to stay with a single brand of oil in that car.
 
I've never really understood the concern about a Fumoto valve causing residual oil to be left in the pan. There will always be residual oil left in an engine, when doing an oil change.

If you run the engine to get the oil warm before the oil change, there is going to be a small amount of oil throughout the engine. If you don't run the engine, and change the oil cold, any insolubles are likely to be sitting in the bottom of the pan, instead of suspended in the warm oil. Thus, they will still be there when you are done draining the oil.

Let's say the threaded end protrudes into the pan 2-3 mm. How much oil do you suppose is still in the engine? Perhaps an ounce or two, tops? If there is enough contamination in that small amount of oil, doesn't it seem likely that you have major problems that are of bigger concern, than if there is an ounce of oil left in your engine?
 
Originally Posted By: BHopkins
I've never really understood the concern about a Fumoto valve causing residual oil to be left in the pan. There will always be residual oil left in an engine, when doing an oil change.

If you run the engine to get the oil warm before the oil change, there is going to be a small amount of oil throughout the engine. If you don't run the engine, and change the oil cold, any insolubles are likely to be sitting in the bottom of the pan, instead of suspended in the warm oil. Thus, they will still be there when you are done draining the oil.

Let's say the threaded end protrudes into the pan 2-3 mm. How much oil do you suppose is still in the engine? Perhaps an ounce or two, tops? If there is enough contamination in that small amount of oil, doesn't it seem likely that you have major problems that are of bigger concern, than if there is an ounce of oil left in your engine?


Well, I would think that just using the normal plug, you would get not only a quicker flow, but that quicker flow would assist in emptying residuals at the bottom of the pan. Imperfect? Sure. Probably better than the scenario being discussed here with the Fumoto valve? Could very well be. Is it worth getting in a twist over? Who knows.
 
I have owned them on 4 of my last 5 vehicles. Only reason not on 5th is because of the way the drain plug sits. I take the pickups into brush 5' tall when I go hunting. Never an issue. As long as I change my own oil, I will always have them on my vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: Shannow
My Nissan is 7L capacity, and really only gets a change per year...I'll stop looking for a Fumoto for it.

I think they're prohibited for import into Australia anyhow because of the proliferation of 20w-50 and the like.
wink.gif


In all seriousness, I like the Fumoto, regardless of the grade I'm using. I used it in the Audi and use it in the G. I've always done hot oil changes, so that makes a big difference. I'd never go without one again. I get them from a local trucking service outfit, and they tend to be surprised when I order a part number that is for a passenger vehicle.

Thunderfog: In my experience, it isn't an issue. I've tested it in the vehicles in which I've had them installed. I leave them open until dripping ceases, then remove the Fumoto. I'll I've gotten was a return to the dripping. Other vehicles, however, may certainly be different.
 
Fumoto valves are great if you are doing oil changes at home and have the luxury of time.

The problem is if you ever take them to a "quickie lube" type place, most times they will wrench the valve off just as if the regular drain plug was there. Time is money to them and they are not going to wait 15-20 minutes for your draining to stop with a Fumoto.
 
Agreed, or they'll do worse and not drain properly, not refill properly, or who knows what. But, I do all my own oil changes, and am notoriously messy, so the Fumoto helps substantially with that.
 
I use the drain time to do other things around the car, check coolant, brake fluid...etc..etc..

I had one installed in my TSX for over 100k miles, no issues/leaks what so ever.
 
I know this is off topic of the concern to the valve itself. But i acquired a new fishing type boat and the engine bay would hold a quart of oil if i let it drsin down into it via drain plug, so i looked up the drain hose like i have on my other boat.

$55 without shipping was really pricey imo. I started looking how how to make one, ended up buying a hydraulic fitting and turning it into a fitting for my purpose. Drained the engine flush oil from it, and was really pleased with my 5$ investment.

Then i changed the oil on the other boat and used the kit it had on it. Warm 20w50 took 20min to drain out....

I was really disappointed, but i didn't spend the $ on it and wouldn't in the future.

I know the feeling when you fall for the advertisement and then get slapped with reality type function...
 
Originally Posted By: Hootbro
Fumoto valves are great if you are doing oil changes at home and have the luxury of time.

The problem is if you ever take them to a "quickie lube" type place, most times they will wrench the valve off just as if the regular drain plug was there. Time is money to them and they are not going to wait 15-20 minutes for your draining to stop with a Fumoto.



I take my semi trucks to a "quickie lube" place, and they have no problem using the Fumoto. The techs like it and wish others would put them on. And those guys have to deal with 10 gallons of oil draining out of those pans. I am in and out just as fast as any other truck that pulls in. They like that they can slow the flow for a few seconds to get an oil sample bottle fill without getting oil all over the place.

As far as using them in brush and off road, I had one in a Jeep Liberty Diesel that regularly got off road thru cornfields, pastures, ditches, etc. My 2013 Silverado has to do the very same thing also. Joys of living rural on the farm. Still, everything has gotten a Fumoto valve. Never been a problem.
 
I had one on my F350, 7.3 diesel. Holds 15qts. Did not take that long to drain, (5 minutes?) with the oil warmed up.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

carl2591
2017 cummins 6.7L, Delo XSP 15W-40, 10,104 miles on oil, 111,274 on truck - used oil analysis
Replies
11
Views
324
carl2591
P
Re-torque a Fumoto valve FS-133
Replies
11
Views
963
Donald
J
Is my Drain Plug Loosening?
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
50yr Street Mech
T
2007 Scion tC high oil consumption ~1qt/500mi
2
Replies
35
Views
939
OilStained
JavierH19
Many new offerings hit walmart shelves today
2 3
Replies
59
Views
4K
S62MPOWER
Back
Top Bottom