oil change plug
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,913
Likes: 1,957
From: Colo Spgs, CO
I ran one for a while on my Tacoma. I was unhappy with it, and returned to a standard drain plug, for two reasons. First, these valves stick out/down too far, risking damage, especially in vehicles with minimal ground clearance. Second, it slows drainage when changing the oil. I found this annoying on a truck that holds only ~5.5qts, so I'm confident drain time for almost 10qts in my Z06 would be totally unacceptable. Obviously, YMMV.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I have used Fumoto on my truck which is higher, of course. That said, there are different options. See THESE and see what fits you. Will it drain slower? Probably. That said, it allows you to do one simple thing. Bring it anywhere and not worry about He Man wrenching it too tight or even you cross threading it. It allows you to drain it into the cans, one at a time.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 478
From: Maryland, USA
hmm i get the premise of this, but just doesnt seem like a good thing to have on my car, to me nothing wrong with the plugs and less to worry about in and around that area for multiple reasons.
the furthest i messed with something like this was i added a drain plug to my 91 firebird automatic transmission pan, because it didnt come with one and you had to drop the pan and that got messy.
the furthest i messed with something like this was i added a drain plug to my 91 firebird automatic transmission pan, because it didnt come with one and you had to drop the pan and that got messy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 1,050
From: North Texas
Would not chance it.
Oil change / tire rotation monkeys are the lowest tech, and I use that word loosely,
They would still try to unscrew it and then cross thread it back in. Sorry, no warranty, not a stock part.
These guys are known to be able to destroy a steel anvil with a rubber mallet.
Remember, "the lowest "techs" can cause the most damage". Quote from a shop supervisor from a major Ford dealership that had over 40 years experience and I've known for over 30 years.
He would relate a new horror story to me every few weeks.
Oil change / tire rotation monkeys are the lowest tech, and I use that word loosely,
They would still try to unscrew it and then cross thread it back in. Sorry, no warranty, not a stock part.
These guys are known to be able to destroy a steel anvil with a rubber mallet.
Remember, "the lowest "techs" can cause the most damage". Quote from a shop supervisor from a major Ford dealership that had over 40 years experience and I've known for over 30 years.
He would relate a new horror story to me every few weeks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Would not chance it.
Oil change / tire rotation monkeys are the lowest tech, and I use that word loosely,
They would still try to unscrew it and then cross thread it back in. Sorry, no warranty, not a stock part.
These guys are known to be able to destroy a steel anvil with a rubber mallet.
Remember, "the lowest "techs" can cause the most damage". Quote from a shop supervisor from a major Ford dealership that had over 40 years experience and I've known for over 30 years.
He would relate a new horror story to me every few weeks.
Oil change / tire rotation monkeys are the lowest tech, and I use that word loosely,
They would still try to unscrew it and then cross thread it back in. Sorry, no warranty, not a stock part.
These guys are known to be able to destroy a steel anvil with a rubber mallet.
Remember, "the lowest "techs" can cause the most damage". Quote from a shop supervisor from a major Ford dealership that had over 40 years experience and I've known for over 30 years.
He would relate a new horror story to me every few weeks.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Nothing. You are having the ability to control the flow of oil. I can drain it into 20 coffee cups if I want. Might be handy since 0W-40 doesn't come in more than a quart.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 569
From: MSP
Literally the first I've heard this.
In what situation are you needing something between "keep the oil in the engine" and "remove the oil from the engine right now" ?
In what situation are you needing something between "keep the oil in the engine" and "remove the oil from the engine right now" ?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I drain the oil and was able to start the flow when the oil can was empty and in the right position. Benefit is that you can get the oil can in position, start the flow and when it is full, stop the flow, replace with an empty can and start it again. No drain pan and trying to pour it carefully into the empty cans.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 354
Likes: 193
the reasons i am considering it are:
i am retired and have the time to change the oil myself, knowing that "lowest techs" wont damage anything and saving $$$ from my fixed income.
however,
i don't bend well anymore,
so not having to take rachet and socket with me when i crawl under the car is appealing
i am retired and have the time to change the oil myself, knowing that "lowest techs" wont damage anything and saving $$$ from my fixed income.
however,
i don't bend well anymore,
so not having to take rachet and socket with me when i crawl under the car is appealing
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
the reasons i am considering it are:
i am retired and have the time to change the oil myself, knowing that "lowest techs" wont damage anything and saving $$$ from my fixed income.
however,
i don't bend well anymore,
so not having to take rachet and socket with me when i crawl under the car is appealing
i am retired and have the time to change the oil myself, knowing that "lowest techs" wont damage anything and saving $$$ from my fixed income.
however,
i don't bend well anymore,
so not having to take rachet and socket with me when i crawl under the car is appealing
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 6,770
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
No way, but to each his/her own. These do not drain straight out, and but one failure and... 
Beside, how much time and trouble is it to remove a plug and reinstall... especially when one can use a magnetic one. 
Beside, how much time and trouble is it to remove a plug and reinstall... especially when one can use a magnetic one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 954
Likes: 377
From: Louisiana
When my GS arrives I'll try to measure, but I'm not sure that a fumoto will clear well with how low the plugs sit.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 515
Likes: 203
From: San Diego
I added a Fumoto oil drain valve to my C5 Camaro (LS3 engine) as the oil rapidly pours out of the oil drain plug creating a real splash zone. The flow control was key to my purchase. The oil plug is located on the side on the oil pan on my LS3 so it doesn't cause a ground clearance issue. No issues with leaks and I change my own oil so I'm not worried about unqualified techs.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Depending on the circumstances, I do change my own oil but I am not worried either. Yes, there are a bunch of horror stories but as I think about it, every day, thousands of oil changes are done. Most of them have gone well, I'll bet. Odds are still in my favor. I mean, unqualified tech? What does it take to be qualified for that procedure? How qualified was I when I did my first change? I wasn't an ASE Certified mechanic or even one in school. \
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 954
Likes: 377
From: Louisiana
Depending on the circumstances, I do change my own oil but I am not worried either. Yes, there are a bunch of horror stories but as I think about it, every day, thousands of oil changes are done. Most of them have gone well, I'll bet. Odds are still in my favor. I mean, unqualified tech? What does it take to be qualified for that procedure? How qualified was I when I did my first change? I wasn't an ASE Certified mechanic or even one in school. \
Administrator
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I really do not find it all that time consuming or difficult to just remove the factory drain plug. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Not knowing the OP's concerns, the valve does have a desirable feature of a slower controlled drain rate vs the splatter 'n splash of a plug.and the hassle of fishing the plug out of a bucket if it slips out of your hand.