What would you rather have on the bottom of your oil pan?

[MRtv]

I have a Fumoto on my F-150. I like it.

 

[MontanaHandyman]

Valvomax drain plug...almost makes changing the oil fun!

 

[Fabulous50s]

Nah.....I just put 5 tubes of red locktite on the stripped out stick plug after the vice grips fell off while driving 145mph in the snow..... now I don't need to drain no oil outta ma rig......yup

 

[Lapham3]

I've used Fumotos where the vehicle protects it from damage and like them. That said, I did get one where the quality control wasn't good as it had a slow leak

 

[billt460]

I've used Fumotos where the vehicle protects it from damage and like them. That said, I did get one where the quality control wasn't good as it had a slow leak

I also had a "drippy" Fumoto once. (I replaced it and it was fine). But it's what made me go the Valvomax system. It provides 3 layers of leak protection.

First is the valve itself. Second is the O-Ring that seals against the inside of the cap. And third is a flat rubber seal on the inside of the cap itself, that shuts off directly on the valve face. There is virtually no way it can leak. Certainly far less of a chance than a Fumoto, or even a drain plug that only seals on a washer.

 

[jkasch]

I wouldn't rather have anything else, GM did it perfectly on my 4.2L trailblazer, they put the drainplug right on the bottom of the pan and it uses the inset rubber gasket that I haven't replaced and wouldn't surprise me if it's never been replaced. All cars should be this easy to drain the sump on, you don't even need to jack it up, just pull the plug and the oil comes straight down not in an annoying arc like drain plugs on the rear of the pan, if the plug is a little too tight no worries, I can use a bar on it easy, not a total pain like a lot of vehicles rear facing drain plugs where the exhaust is in the way or there's poor ground clearance to get a bar or small impact on it and break it loose The oil

Totally agree, but I don’t like removing the the oil filter vehicle.

 

[Cujet]

My 2009 F150 has the best drain plug ever. 1 inch of precise threads, built in o-ring under a flange, tall 16mm hex, and an equally robust threaded bung to which it fits. The oil drain rate is neither super fast like my 2018 2.7L plastic plug, nor super slow like older stuff. Decades of trouble free service.

 

[CheezWhiz]

it is completely overkill, but i use the factory drain plug with just a smidge of this stuff every time i change my oil:

https://www.permatex.com/products/t...nts/permatex-seal-lock-thread-compound-35-ml/

 

[blufeb95]

Totally agree, but I don’t like removing the the oil filter vehicle.

Yeah, the first time I changed the oil on the car I noticed the car was dripping oil and I thought the filter was leaking, but it turns out there was just some oil that came from removing the filter that got inside the crossbar and was leaving drips.

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

I got a Fumoto on mine.

I sometimes wonder if I'm holding in sludge, with the smaller drain hole.

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

I had a Fumoto, but got rid of it for one of these. Far superior in every way. And they have a total of 3 separate sealing surfaces. I wouldn't own a car without one.

https://www.valvomax.com/

That is slick... i just watched the video!

I could put a tube over the end of my Fumoto, though, and achieve virtually the same.. I still let my oil flow directly into some kind of container.

 

[Fabulous50s]

I've wondered about a full port ball valve. There are valves called "dead man valves" which have a spring loaded handle which will keep them fully open of fully closed depending on the application.

But alas, an oil drain plug really is pretty easy, especially if you use extended drain intervals.

 

[cb_13]

I WANT a Fumoto for changing the oil on my truck hot and a standard drain plug for cold. Too bad it doesn’t work that way, guess I could pull the entire valve when cold.

I have a Fumoto and have had no problems with it. It just drains slow if the engine is not fully up to temperature.

I got it in order to use the 90 degree elbow and direct oil downward because when hot the oil stream from removed drain plug hits the sway bar and goes everywhere. At work I always used a folded up plastic dealership plate to redirect the flow on similar models a form a funnel works as well.

 

[53' Stude]

A drain plug. Preferably a OEM one

 

[Nicasio]

I got a Fumoto on mine.

I sometimes wonder if I'm holding in sludge, with the smaller drain hole.

That’s what’s holding me back on the valve type. Exactly how far does it thread into the oil pan? Might be some build up around it or worse doesn’t completely drain everything like removing the plug

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

That’s what’s holding me back on the valve type. Exactly how far does it thread into the oil pan? Might be some build up around it or worse doesn’t completely drain everything like removing the plug

It threads in exactly the same as the other one.

I I've sometimes thought about removing the entire from motor valve because I could theoretically see how the smaller opening of the valve but possibly my son sludge form because it's slightly smaller opening. That may be strictly paranoia but if this isn't the forum for analyzing every drop of oil every we're talkin about where it lives in different parts of the engines if you get every single drop out over minutes hours days months years whatever the case maybe than that this would be the one.

That said I love my fumoto valve and it fit on my old iPad nicely and I had to laugh on my mechanic thought that running over a curb could smash the lever to let the oil out because that's not really possible and I showed him how it would have had to do.

 

[Nicasio]

It might thread in the same length of the original drain plug, but it’ll sit in the same spot permanently. So I wonder if it stick up a bit from the bottom of the pan so there might be some oil left compared to removing the plug

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

My 2009 F150 has the best drain plug ever. 1 inch of precise threads, built in o-ring under a flange, tall 16mm hex, and an equally robust threaded bung to which it fits. The oil drain rate is neither super fast like my 2018 2.7L plastic plug, nor super slow like older stuff. Decades of trouble free service.

All I have to do is this.

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

It might thread in the same length of the original drain plug, but it’ll sit in the same spot permanently. So I wonder if it stick up a bit from the bottom of the pan so there might be some oil left compared to removing the plug

Getting my responses in before work.. I think I see your point, but I can remove the Fumoto same as the drain plug. Screwing it on for the first time requires a hammer tap to get the tab past the oil pan though. It will come off if you try.

You must be saying it sits a little higher on the inside to incorporate the release mechanism... I was saying, because less oil comes out as the diameter is slightly smaller, when the stream is almost done, more residual oil is left.

It again may not matter but I have engaged in engine cleaning product applications and I may have more left behind than if drained standard. Still mixed and doesnt matter though, in my opinion.

Here is a Fumoto valve. I got the one with the tip on the end, I could buy clear tubing and film or watch an oil drain.

Upon looking at it, it threads in exactly the same as an OE drain plug. What I am saying is, perhaps the valve itself is letting less oil out, due to decreased diameter and angle.

 

[billt460]

That’s what’s holding me back on the valve type. Exactly how far does it thread into the oil pan? Might be some build up around it or worse doesn’t completely drain everything like removing the plug

The valves drain the same way a plug does. If you're worried about it, simply measure the thread depth of your oil pan. (A small, narrow machinist's scale with a hooked end works well for this). Or else just open up a paper clip and use your finger. You'll find it contains the same number of threads that equal the length of the threading on the valve. There is no reason for it to contain more threading than the pan does. It would serve no purpose.

They don't thread into the pan further, or "hold back" any oil. The Valvomax actually has a couple threads less. But let's just assume they did. You have pages of threads here, with guys writing in post after post, how it's so unnecessary to change your oil filter every time you change your oil.

How much old, dirty oil are they pumping back into the system by leaving an old oil filter on, for a second go around? A drain valve leaves nothing in comparison.

And as far as the internal passageway of the valve being slightly smaller than the drain hole in the pan, how would that make any difference? And if you're worried about "sludge" not passing through the valve, you're going far too long between oil changes in the first place.

The I.D. of the drain valve is larger than a lot of oil gally's in the engine and crank. So if your oil is too gunked up to pass through the drain valve, you've got other, far more serious problems.