Oil Drain Valve Survey

[BLUKTY2]

Like many things in life, do what works best for YOU. And don't give a d**n what other people think!

 

[HEMIMANN]

Like many things in life, do what works best for YOU. And don't give a d**n what other people think!

If that were the case, there would be no forums.

 

[G-Ride990]

I think it really depends on how much driving you are doing and what your OCI is.

For me, it's not often. Once a year and a few k miles so no point worrying about making the process easier.

If you are changing it a few times per year and like the convenience, go for it! I know a ton of members here run them and I have not heard of any issues using them.

 

[oe542bob]

Anyone using an engine oil drain valve instead trying to remember what wrench size the Hemi drain plugs are (13 mm dia, FFS), along with your 20 other engines? Most other automotive oil drain plugs are 15 mm dia wrench, the Japanese engines are 17 mm dia wrench.

Reliability (don't leak over the years)? Brand? (Fumoto, other)?

Thanks

I’ve been using the Fumoto valve on 4-1500 Rams, 1-2500 Ram Cummins plus my HellCat. Never any leaking or failures. Never had one accidentally open.
Now, I will say, and this was MY MISTAKE, I installed a cap over the nipple after draining the oil, BUT failed to close the valve. Put oil in the truck and on the second time I drove it, the low oil pressure light came on as I was parking in a lot. My first thought was, oh it must be a bad sensor. Right after I parked I decided to look under the truck before I went inside the building. Yup, oil was draining onto the parking lot. Crawled under, closed the valve, and had a friend bring me some oil. Got lucky there.
For me I just like having the convenience. To each their own.

 

[G-Ride990]

I’ve been using the Fumoto valve on 4-1500 Rams, 1-2500 Ram Cummins plus my HellCat. Never any leaking or failures. Never had one accidentally open.
Now, I will say, and this was MY MISTAKE, I installed a cap over the nipple after draining the oil, BUT failed to close the valve. Put oil in the truck and on the second time I drove it, the low oil pressure light came on as I was parking in a lot. My first thought was, oh it must be a bad sensor. Right after I parked I decided to look under the truck before I went inside the building. Yup, oil was draining onto the parking lot. Crawled under, closed the valve, and had a friend bring me some oil. Got lucky there.
For me I just like having the convenience. To each their own.

haha got lucky for sure! I would probably do the same thing at least once if I had the valve.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I think it really depends on how much driving you are doing and what your OCI is.

For me, it's not often. Once a year and a few k miles so no point worrying about making the process easier.

If you are changing it a few times per year and like the convenience, go for it! I know a ton of members here run them and I have not heard of any issues using them.

Yeah, just curious what folks were doing, not as big a deal as my recent changes in oil selections after many years of running Red Line in the Hemi and PUP in the other vehicles.

GDI and API SP has really thrown oil requirements to the wolves. I get that change is the only constant, but does it always have to be for the worse?

I appreciate most of the responses, measured against not assuming everyone's capabilities are equivalent. In my case limitations are physical. Mostly. lol

 

[Randy Grant]

Anyone using an engine oil drain valve instead trying to remember what wrench size the Hemi drain plugs are (13 mm dia, FFS), along with your 20 other engines? Most other automotive oil drain plugs are 15 mm dia wrench, the Japanese engines are 17 mm dia wrench.

Reliability (don't leak over the years)? Brand? (Fumoto, other)?

Thanks

yes and a filter relocate.

 

[Randy Grant]

If that were the case, there would be no forums.

And no arguments

 

[Replacement]

I have thought that those valves would be super helpful but my fear of it leaking or forgetting to close it has continued to win the war. Now I grab a few wrenches the first time and hope I covered the spread. lol

 

[Grams]

Anyone using an engine oil drain valve instead trying to remember what wrench size the Hemi drain plugs are (13 mm dia, FFS), along with your 20 other engines? Most other automotive oil drain plugs are 15 mm dia wrench, the Japanese engines are 17 mm dia wrench.

Reliability (don't leak over the years)? Brand? (Fumoto, other)?

Thanks

I wanted to post: That’s what Vise-Grips are for!

But, I use an extractor on some and Fumoto on others.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I appreciate most of the responses, measured against not assuming everyone's capabilities are equivalent. In my case limitations are physical. Mostly. lol

If you don't want to under the truck at all, you could get one of those oil extractor pumps that you feed a tube down the dipstick tube and do a filter relocation kit if you can figure out a good place to mount it you can reach from under the hood.

Yeah, you'll leave a little more oil behind but who cares?

 

[mtofell]

Had one on a previous truck and it never gave me any trouble. Never got one on this truck.... just not enough of benefit to justify. As for failure points, it seems like a wash. Standard plug can leak, get x-threaded, etc. Valve can have its problems too.

 

[BossHogg]

I've got the Fumotos on both my trucks. The main reason I went to the drain valves was to significantly reduce the initial mess when the drain plug first comes out of the pan: success, no more oily hands and no more splash spills on the garage floor.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I've got the Fumotos on both my trucks. The main reason I went to the drain valves was to significantly reduce the initial mess when the drain plug first comes out of the pan: success, no more oily hands and no more splash spills on the garage floor.

THIS

 

[HEMIMANN]

If you don't want to under the truck at all, you could get one of those oil extractor pumps that you feed a tube down the dipstick tube and do a filter relocation kit if you can figure out a good place to mount it you can reach from under the hood.

Yeah, you'll leave a little more oil behind but who cares?

I'm not that far gone. Yet. lol

In fact, my 3/4 ton is tall enough where I have to use a ladder just to fill the damn thing, so using an extractor is more of a PITA than sliding under the truck, as the same aspect makes sliding under easier without having to jack it up.

It's more for making the draining easier and less messy is what I'm after. Those extractors are necessary for unreachable oil drain plugs like on I/O boat engines, etc.

My oil filter is easy to reach on the 3/4 ton 6.4 Hemi - they put a 90 degree filter adapter on the engine block so the oil filter sticks out to the front of the engine.

I guess I should have explained I have a Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi in my OP.

 

[tjfdesmo]

Buy one of these for your drain pain. No more splash.

38750 No Splatter Pad 15" Round

15” Diameter Pad Protects Floors & Work Area from Messy Oil Splatter.

www.lislecorp.com

 

[oe542bob]

Just a short follow up, it was the 1st time I installed a cap on the nipple on the Fumoto valve. Even as I put it on, I thought this is kind of a waste of time. But I installed it because I had a cap and it fit nice and tight.
Since that time, I’ve NEVER used a cap again.

 

[1979 300]

I stick a piece of painter's tape under the hood with the mileage, date and socket size whenever I change oil on my vehicles. It makes it easier the next time.

 

[bm02tj]

Yellow paint pen 13MM 6.6 ltr 7gt so I can drain and refill with correct amount

 

[caulk04]

So, where do you guys put your gas cap while you're filling up?