claymore
06-30-2009, 01:05 AM
OK since I'm a maintenance maniac and change my oil every 5000km I was introduced to fumoto valves by manxman and since there was no info here I thought I would write this little thread to let everybody know what they are.
And to keep everybody happy I do not have any for sale and I'm not affiliated with the company in any way I just like this product.
OK what the heck is a fumoto valve??? All they are is a brass valve that replaces your oil pan drain plug that opens easily to drain your oil without having to remove and replace the oil plug when you change your oil.
Here is what it looks like:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/fumoto.jpg
This one part number f106N has a nipple on the end to attach a hose but there is another model without the nipple. I like the one with a nipple (get your minds out of the gutter) because you can attach a hose to direct the oil where you want it. (more later).
If you look at the photo you can see a silver, short, lever sticking out a little. All you do if you want to release your oil is lift the lever up and then slide it into the slot and push it toward the nipple and presto this opens up the inside and your old oil is released.
When the oil is finished draining you just slide the lever back into the down position to close the valve and you can add your new oil and your oil change only takes a few minutes. And no more worrying about stripping the pan threads or finding a drain plug gasket.
All the reviews I have read and everyone I talked to have said they have no problems with the valve opening on it's own but being paranoid I couldn't sleep thinking about the valve opening on it's own so I followed the advice for paranoid people on the package.
This is one solution:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/fumoto1.jpg
It's just a simple worm clamp available at your favorite parts place or hardware store for about a quarter. Just get the size clamp that fits over the top of the valve and screw it in place and it prevents the valve from opening on it's own. So now you just use a screwdriver and loosen up the clamp before moving the lever.
Or you could use this type clamp:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/fumoto2.jpg
Does the same thing just use a pair of pliers to spring it open and put on the top of the valve. Your choice of which to use or not up to you.
OK how does it FIT? It goes in the same hole as the oil drain plug and comes with a paper type gasket so you discard the old metal one or keep it in case you ever change back.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/Fumoto4.jpg
It just screws in and you need a 19mm wrench (or adjustable one) to use on the body or 17mm to use on the nipple but I would try not to do that as you would be putting more torque onto the nipple. Try to end up with the lever out the side for ease of use but it really doesn't matter the valve will work in any position.
For me this is the best reason other than ease of use for having this valve:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/Fumoto5.jpg
With using the stock plug to drain the oil I find it impossible to get a large 5 liter used water bottle under the drain to catch the used oil so I end up using a drain pan and get some splash over and when I'm finished I have to pour the used oil into the big bottle for disposal anyway and get a bit more splash over so there is always some spillage to clean up.
BUT with this valve and a piece of hose I can put the water bottle in at a slight angle and the hose directs the used oil right into the bottle with ZERO spillage.:D
If you are wondering I found the valve on epay for about $17.00 so the price is not bad you may even find them cheaper if you watch epay.
I would recommend the one with a nipple for use with the hose as it's only a buck or two more expensive but well worth it to avoid spillage and a messy garage floor.
A bit of advice about using magnetic plugs or this valve. I have had magnetic drain plugs in both my trans and oil pan and they collected metal particles on them for about the first 20,000 km but after that there were only minute amounts of slime on them so that is when I decided to change as there was little slime collected after that mileage. Their effectiveness was reduced as the engine was not putting out metallic particles from break in anymore.
On another note I had a light bulb moment under the car and thought why not put one in the transmission also......... NOPE the way it is made the valve is too big and hits the trans housing so it's a NO GO:(
And to keep everybody happy I do not have any for sale and I'm not affiliated with the company in any way I just like this product.
OK what the heck is a fumoto valve??? All they are is a brass valve that replaces your oil pan drain plug that opens easily to drain your oil without having to remove and replace the oil plug when you change your oil.
Here is what it looks like:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/fumoto.jpg
This one part number f106N has a nipple on the end to attach a hose but there is another model without the nipple. I like the one with a nipple (get your minds out of the gutter) because you can attach a hose to direct the oil where you want it. (more later).
If you look at the photo you can see a silver, short, lever sticking out a little. All you do if you want to release your oil is lift the lever up and then slide it into the slot and push it toward the nipple and presto this opens up the inside and your old oil is released.
When the oil is finished draining you just slide the lever back into the down position to close the valve and you can add your new oil and your oil change only takes a few minutes. And no more worrying about stripping the pan threads or finding a drain plug gasket.
All the reviews I have read and everyone I talked to have said they have no problems with the valve opening on it's own but being paranoid I couldn't sleep thinking about the valve opening on it's own so I followed the advice for paranoid people on the package.
This is one solution:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/fumoto1.jpg
It's just a simple worm clamp available at your favorite parts place or hardware store for about a quarter. Just get the size clamp that fits over the top of the valve and screw it in place and it prevents the valve from opening on it's own. So now you just use a screwdriver and loosen up the clamp before moving the lever.
Or you could use this type clamp:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/fumoto2.jpg
Does the same thing just use a pair of pliers to spring it open and put on the top of the valve. Your choice of which to use or not up to you.
OK how does it FIT? It goes in the same hole as the oil drain plug and comes with a paper type gasket so you discard the old metal one or keep it in case you ever change back.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/Fumoto4.jpg
It just screws in and you need a 19mm wrench (or adjustable one) to use on the body or 17mm to use on the nipple but I would try not to do that as you would be putting more torque onto the nipple. Try to end up with the lever out the side for ease of use but it really doesn't matter the valve will work in any position.
For me this is the best reason other than ease of use for having this valve:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/claymore729/Fumoto5.jpg
With using the stock plug to drain the oil I find it impossible to get a large 5 liter used water bottle under the drain to catch the used oil so I end up using a drain pan and get some splash over and when I'm finished I have to pour the used oil into the big bottle for disposal anyway and get a bit more splash over so there is always some spillage to clean up.
BUT with this valve and a piece of hose I can put the water bottle in at a slight angle and the hose directs the used oil right into the bottle with ZERO spillage.:D
If you are wondering I found the valve on epay for about $17.00 so the price is not bad you may even find them cheaper if you watch epay.
I would recommend the one with a nipple for use with the hose as it's only a buck or two more expensive but well worth it to avoid spillage and a messy garage floor.
A bit of advice about using magnetic plugs or this valve. I have had magnetic drain plugs in both my trans and oil pan and they collected metal particles on them for about the first 20,000 km but after that there were only minute amounts of slime on them so that is when I decided to change as there was little slime collected after that mileage. Their effectiveness was reduced as the engine was not putting out metallic particles from break in anymore.
On another note I had a light bulb moment under the car and thought why not put one in the transmission also......... NOPE the way it is made the valve is too big and hits the trans housing so it's a NO GO:(