Fumoto oil drain valve

[Robert Rice]

I just finished the first oil change since I installed the Fumoto oil drain valve. It was a piece of cake! Poured it back into the one gal. containers that the oil came in. Not one drop of oil on the driveway. These valves are really worth the money. This is just one of the many things I have learned from this forum. Thanks all.

[moldmkr]

How much do they cost

[rvten]

I just looked Fumoto up. Valve is about $23.00.http://www.fumotousa.com/

[dirko]

Hi Ho Robert: Amen! I installed one on the motorhome and boat about 5 or 6 years ago. They work great. I also put a piece of tygon tubing about 2 feet long on each valve and lashed it to the frame of the motorhome with plastic wire ties. To drain oil just pull the tubing out and stick it into an empty one gallon plastic milk jug and flip the valve. If the milk jug starts to get full, just flip the valve off and change to another jug. The best part is that the oil goes exactly one place and I don't have to try to get a pan above the frame and under the oilpan.

Oh, the boat is even better. No oil in the bilge. Just stick the tube out the bilge drain hole into a jug.

Dirk

[jdsr]

Is it possible for the valve to fail and lose all the oil while traveling. I want one but Im alittle concerned about that.

[golden]

I've had one for a couple of years and have had no problems with it other than the oil drains much more slowly that by conventional methods. No big thing considering how easy it is to do and how clean it is.

With regard to it coming loose, I suppose that's possible but certainly inconceivable. When I drain mine, I really have to use some degree of force to open the drain.

[dirko]

Hi Ho jdsr: As a privte pilot that does most of the normal maintenance on the plane and an engineer with over 40 years experience I am pretty picky about mechanical things.

There is always a risk that something will fail. (That includes the original oil drain plug) In fact, many years ago while traveling I had the oil changed on my Mercedes diesel. The guy didn't tighten the drain plug properly and the thing fell out about 1000 miles later. (Luckily I heard an unexpectly thump and stopped in time to save the engine)

The Fumoto valve is very well made and short of impacting something I don't think it will fail. (Also, you can't forget to tighten it because it's either open or closed)

For me, the risk of failure is acceptably small.

Dirk

[Suncircles]

This thread so far is great news regarding the fumoto! I took my MH to the lovsl Cat Dealership to have it serviced for its first time and asked if I could have a fumoto installed. The shop foreman said "I would never install one of those things because of the high incidence of them accidentally opening while traveling down the road!" No lie, that is what he said. You make me feel a lot better in installing one now during my next oil change!!!!!!

Suncircles

[JnGOnTheGo]

I have had one for a couple of years with no problems. There is a clip you can purchase with it or from the local hardware store that would keep the lever from turning. I was going to put a clip on but never got around to it. Only way to change the oil.

[RVRon]

Had it, used it, loved it. Best, eaqsiest addition I ever made to my '03 Winnie. Go for it...

[Easyrider]

What size do we need for the GM 8.1 used in a Workhorse?

[BigRedLancer]

My MH is the second vehicle that has the Fumoto valve. I had a 1 ton Dodge with a Cummins engine and the valve was at the lowest point on the crankcase. Never had a problem with it. As with the F53 chassis, the oil would like to drain on chassis members so the tubing really helps. As far as the Cat service person reports "failures" I have never heard of a single failure.

Cheers

[JC2]

Originally posted by Easyrider:
What size do we need for the GM 8.1 used in a Workhorse?

It would appear that one would need the F107 or F107N which has the nipple for adding a hose for draining.
http://www.fumotousa.com/size_domestic.htm
I would probably call just to be sure.

[Ding-a-ling]

Originally posted by jdsr:
Is it possible for the valve to fail and lose all the oil while traveling. I want one but Im alittle concerned about that.

Here is a quote from Fumoto's web site:

"For users under extreme conditions:
If you are using the Engine Oil Drain Valve on off-road vehicles such as farm tractors and logging equipment under extreme environment (i.e. corn fields, brush areas), it is recommended that a hose clip as shown below be used for extra safety and security. The hose clip, which can be purchased at any hardware stores, will firmly keep the lever in the locked position at all times."

Looks pretty foolproof to me.

[John Hilley]

A friend of mine with the Fumoto valve was refused an oil change at the Walmart in Yuma because it wasn't original equipment.

[TXiceman]

Originally posted by John Hilley:
A friend of mine with the Fumoto valve was refused an oil change at the Walmart in Yuma because it wasn't original equipment.

This was their way of telling you they had no idea on how it operated and that they could not overtighten the plug like thay always do.

Ken

[RVRon]

I guess I'm missing the point of installing the valve in the first place....I installed it to make my life easier in the driveway doing my own oil changes...but going to an outside shop?? I probably wouldn't do the modification and would just leave the stock drain plug.

[dirko]

Hi Ho Ron: Exactly. Either you don't change your own oil and wouldn't want the valve or you do and don't care what Walmart says or thinks. By the way, you could probably change your oil in the parking lot while waiting to get your car serviced.

Oh well, someone might object because?

Dirk

[TEO]

TXiceman, that's a terrible thing to say about WalMart. They don't over tighten all the time, sometimes they just cross thread!

I have Fumoto valves on the MH and both cars. Yes it does drain slower, but I never have a spill anymore!

Paul

[jdsr]

Thanks for the info. I like it and I think I will buy one. Im tired of cleaning up oil off my driveway after a oil change.