Well, I did my first oil change today at 4,750 miles. Surprisingly, the oil was much cleaner that what I expected. It was reddish-brown, but still clear enough to see through. I always run synthetic in my cars, so I switched over to Mobil 1 5W30 with a Mobil 1 filter. It will be interesting to see how it looks when I change it in 5,000 miles. Anyway, this has to be the easiest car in the world to change the oil on. I was done inside of 15 minutes. The drain plug and filter are easily accessible, so much so that I can't imagine why anyone would want to put a Fumoto valve on. I can see the benefit on other vehicles, just not this one.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ May 20 2007, 03:21 PM) [snapback]446285[/snapback]</div> One reason for installing a Fumoto drain valve would be to avoid the risk of a service technician over-tightening the oil drain bolt/plug.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ May 20 2007, 07:05 PM) [snapback]446301[/snapback]</div> If a service technician is doing the oil change, what is the point of the Fumoto valve? Fumoto valves are usually used by shade-tree mechanics that don't want to deal with removing and reinstalling the drain plug. A service tech, on the other hand, should be using a torque wrench to reinstall the drain plug as seat it to the ft-lb specs outlined in the service manual. Again, much ado about nothing. A solution for a problem that doesn't really exist. However, each to his own.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ May 20 2007, 06:18 PM) [snapback]446314[/snapback]</div> If the problem didn't exist, why would my fathers 1986 Toyota SR5 Truck have a leaking drain plug when the only place that ever changed the oil was the dealer?? Maybe the tech uses a torque wrench, but they have to *look at the torque dial* when they are using it for it to be effective. Sorry, but the average dealer oil-change tech is one step above a monkey in my opinion. You take your car to the dealer for an oil change, you get what you get. Dave
Maybe they didn't change the washer? Anyway, I agree with you 100%. I always change my own oil. As I said before, installing a Fumoto valve for the benefit of the guy changing the oil makes sense only if you are the guy changing the oil. I can't see installing one to make it easier on the tech. If they screw things up, it is their obligation to make them right.
Another advantage of the Fumoto valve is that you can put a short piece of tubing over the end of the valve and drain directly into the waste oil container that you take to the recycling center. I use the empty 5 qt bottle or an empty liquid detergent bottle because our recycle center keeps the container. No more messy pouring from the drain pan to the plastic waste container.
I can certainly see the benefit there. I am currently draining it into a pan and then transferring it into another container for transport to the recycling center. However, I guess I am just a little afraid that a valve could possibly get knocked open causing loss of oil while driving. I'm not sure if Fumoto has this covered in their design, but it seems like it would be the only Achilles Heel of such a system.
I have a Fumoto on a Toyota truck and because of the lever design, it seems to be a very unlikely event for the lever to be opened accidently. Some off roaders worry about striking a rock or other obstacle; this seems like a more likely scenario, but only for hard core off roaders. I have the Fram valve on my Explorer; it provides less of a target for that kind of problem. Also, some people add a hose clamp onto the end of the Fumoto valve to prevent it from opening unless the hose clamp is removed first. Either a wire type (opened with pliers) or a SS worm driven type. Also, some people do not like the Fumoto or Fram valves because they may allow a small amount of old oil to remain in the pan after draining. I would say in my opinion, the amount is pretty insignificant, but depending upon the geometry and length of the valve threads, it is a possibility.
Where did you get your Fumoto valve? I am really interested in one for my 2001 Mercedes ML 320. The drain plug is located in such a position that it sprays oil all over the suspension arms when the oil is changed. I think the Fumoto would allow me to better direct the flow of the oil into a collection container.
I bought mine a couple of years ago from the online store: http://www.fumotovalve.com/ IIRC, someone on the Explorer board had posted a discount code that they got from Fumoto. I also got a discount code from Fumoto (15% off) to share with others but it expired in Dec 2003.
I have thought about getting the Fumoto valve but then decided against it. I don't think the valve would fail but do think that running over some road debri could break it off, causing major engine problems due to oil starvation. Maybe if it didn't stick out so much I might think about getting one. But it is so easy to turn a wrench to get the oil drain bolt off, that I see no reason to change this and chance any type of issue.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ May 23 2007, 09:27 PM) [snapback]448642[/snapback]</div> I agree with you 100% in terms of the Prius. However, on my Benz, the drain plug is located on the side of the oil pan, so the valve would not be as exposed to possible damage from road debris. Also, as mentioned above, the location of the drain plug causes oil to spray all over the control arms and passenger side suspension when draining the oil. This is where I think the value of the Fumoto, especially the model with the added nipple which allows tubing to be attached, becomes apparent.
