Oil Drain Valve Survey

[Units]

but you have to contort the lever just right to get it to release when you actually want it to, so pretty much 0 chance its coming open on its own.

I just put a small hose clamp on the end of mine. Zero chance it opens on its own.

 

[mtnrider]

Some drain pans may leave the valve hanging out and susceptible to being broken off, but it doesn’t seem to leave the Hemi vulnerable.

Yeah, if something were to get up in there and break off the one on my Cummins I've got much bigger problems to worry about.

I can see it being an issue on a car or a vehicle that has a really low and exposed oil pan, but it's a non-issue on a Ram truck
.

 

[Robert Baguda]

I had one on my Class A RV, gas engine, F53 chassis.

The oil drain hole would spill oil all over parts of the suspension. It was sloppy and required a substantial clean-up. Prior to the valve/nipple combo, I used a funnel with a hose... but it wasn't as easy, convenient, or clean.

I finally added a fumoto valve with a nipple. The valve and nipple were located about 12" above front end components. Nothing was gonna hit it. It allowed me to put a length of hose over the nipple, run the hose around the suspension components, then drain into my pan without spilling a drop, or needing rags & time to clean up any mess.

In that application it was a major plus. I never had any issues with it.

I also had one on my last RAM 2500 diesel, for 75K miles with no issues. I had the same set-up, valve w/nipple. It allowed me to drain the oil into individual gallon sized oil containers, without first draining into a pan, and then transferring the oil into different containers.

I don't have one on the new RAM diesel as of yet, but I will probably eventually get one. Not a priority, but based on my past experience, I don't consider them a negative either.

I do all my own work on my truck, car, 4 motorcycles and 46', twin diesel fishing boat. At no time during my ownership and use of a Fumoto valve, did I ever feel like less of a man.. But that's just me..

 

[tjfdesmo]

Pretty calm around here... What about the oil the Fumoto prevents from draining

 

[mikeru]

Pretty calm around here... What about the oil the Fumoto prevents from draining

I doubt it’s enough to beat yourself up about.

 

[Pull Ya]

If you are really worried about it you can take the Fumoto out and let the rest of the oil drain. Kinda defeats the purpose but to each their own.
Jay

 

[White six four]

Pretty calm around here... What about the oil the Fumoto prevents from draining

I'm still trying to figure out how or why guys slide under their trucks and only bring one size wrench. I always bring at least a full set of ratcheting wrenches. You never know what battle you're getting into lol.

 

[Units]

Pretty calm around here... What about the oil the Fumoto prevents from draining

Absolutely nothing. There is a threaded nut/bushing welded inside the pan for the plug to thread into which means there is always gonna be some oil that never comes out unless you drop the pan.

 

[tjfdesmo]

I see sarcasm is missed on this thread LOL

 

[tap4154]

Personally, I prefer the stock drain bolt just because it's less to go wrong, and you get a faster/better outflow. It's just a once per year task, and I lay out cardboard just in case.

 

[BenchTest]

Those oil valves are the dumbest things I've ever seen. I never run one especially on a truck.

Of course you'd say that.

 

[BenchTest]

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 have them on two vehicles. Fumoto. Zero problems to report, 100% glad I have them on those vehicles. I maintain a lot of vehicles for friends/family and for the reason you said above (trying to remember what size wrench), I put Fumoto's on. My 3.6 Pentastar has had one on for about 1.5 years and 35K-ish miles, no issues. No leaks. I drive it offroad semi-regularly. I don't do anything extreme with it as it's a daily driver. But I don't worry about it getting "hung up" on something and getting broken/knocked loose (like I read from a lot of people worrying about). It doesn't sit proud of the crossmember, so I don't worry about it.

I can slide under the truck, open the valve, slide back out and replace the oil filter. By the time that's all said and done, the engine has drained sufficiently (to a very slow trickle) and I can close the valve, pop the retainer clip in, wipe it clean and done. I do low mileage oil changes, so I am frequently changing oil, and the valve has made the task much cleaner/simpler for me.

 

[BenchTest]

I had one on my 2017 HEMI, and I put one on my 2025 SST. On previous cars, due to the dummies at the dealership, I have had problems with stripped plugs, due to over tightening. Many of the oil pans today are aluminum, with a welded in steel port for the plug, I think its a lousy setup. Had to run a tap in to the pan on a previous car, put in an oversized plug with a smaller plug built into it, so I would not need to pull it out of the pan again.

I put the fumoto on my previous truck, and got one for this truck when I did the first oil change at 1000 miles. I do my own oil changes.

If it avoids me having to deal with a stripped out plug in the future, it's worth it. I put a rubber hose on the nipple, open the valve, and drain into a pan. No mess from the wind blowing the draining oil all over.

I don't do much off roading, just a gravel road in a campground or something, so I am not concerned about tearing it off on a rock or something.

I have a friend that runs a Fumoto. He took it to some oil change place and they refused to do his oil change because it didn't have a stock drain plug. He was traveling for work, but typically does his own oil changes (reason he installed the Fumoto to begin with).

 

[BenchTest]

Used Fumota Valves for over 20 years on my Freightliner trucks with no problems.
Have seen too many trucks with stripped drain plugs at truck lube shops.
You don’t change your own oil when it requires 10 gallons or more and you are on the road.
Never a problem with leaks or drips.
I use them on all my vehicles now.
Especially since oil pans have become so flimsy.

There's a reason Fumoto is spec'd by a bunch of OEMs. Lots of companies are installing them during the build at the factories.

 

[mikeru]

There's a reason Fumoto is spec'd by a bunch of OEMs. Lots of companies are installing them during the build at the factories.

That's news to me. Which companies are installing Fumoto valves at the factory?

 

[BenchTest]

That's news to me. Which companies are installing Fumoto valves at the factory?

www.fumotousa.com has a list.

From their site:

"Major engine manufacturers in Japan such as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Subaru, Isuzu have adopted our products either as OEM or “Genuine Parts” used on their machinery and vehicles."

Regarding USA operations:
"To name a few, Caterpillar, Paccar, Daimler, Peterbilt, Kenworth, JLG, etc have adapted our products and used them on their machines."

 

[mikeru]

www.fumotousa.com has a list.

From their site:

"Major engine manufacturers in Japan such as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Subaru, Isuzu have adopted our products either as OEM or “Genuine Parts” used on their machinery and vehicles."

Regarding USA operations:
"To name a few, Caterpillar, Paccar, Daimler, Peterbilt, Kenworth, JLG, etc have adapted our products and used them on their machines."

Color me skeptical but they're a bit vague on their website. Sure, they name manufacturers, but If I'm making those claims about a product I offer I'd be more specific about any car/truck/heavy equipment manufacturer's products that actually come from the factory with their oil change valves. But it's not a hill I choose to die on so I'll take their word for it. I think they offer a good product.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Of course you'd say that.

My reasoning is pretty valid based on the way I abuse my truck and the tools I have to maintain it.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Interesting all the dislike for oil drain valves. I figured it would eliminate any potential issues from stripped threads down the road.

How many ugga-duggas are you giving it that stripping the threads is a realistic concern?

 

[grizzstang]

I don't know how you would strip the oil drain plug on the Rams and Jeeps. Same molded in washer design.

When it is tight it's tight. You would have to hang from it to get it any tighter.