Hi all,

I've been considering replacing my stock sump plug with a Fumoto oil drain valve at the next oil change.

www.fumoto.com.au

I know there is an existing thread that was created almost 6 years ago, but was wondering if anyone has purchased one recently and can either recommend them or otherwise?
The only concern that I have with them is the remote possibility if the sump hitting something hard enough to come in contact with the valve and it subsequently failing, dumping the sump's guts. Are my worries about this founded? I'd imagine there are components closer to the ground that would make contact first in that area...

It otherwise looks like a convenient way to complete an oil change, which I do every 10,000km (turns out to be about every 3 months.. enough for me to want to make the process of an oil change as hassle free as possible lol ). At about $45 posted, it seems a reasonable proposition.

I'd appreciate your input!

Invest your money in a good quality 6 point 24mm socket, these will hang down and could get knocked off plus any idea of a tap system on a sump scares the crap out of me lol

Invest your money in a good quality 6 point 24mm socket, these will hang down and could get knocked off plus any idea of a tap system on a sump scares the crap out of me lol

That was my concern also, I've seen little in the way of negative feedback on this particular product, however, and in reality the valve only extends about 10 or 15mm further than the OE plug and the valve can be secured further by fitting a 5/8" hose clip to keep the lever in position.
I have a 24mm spanner that I use normally - but a socket may be a better idea :) I was considering another method, such as the Fumoto, that would - seemingly - make less mess, though It looks like it would take longer to drain as the outlet is significantly smaller

Seriously, how much time and effort is there in undoing the sump plug? Having a tap on the bottom of the sump to save a few seconds is not worth the time and worry involved in checking it every day to see if it isn't dripping. It's a good idea in theory, in practice not so much.

Id say give it a go, sounds safe enough as long as your not rally driving or ridiculously low at the front.
If it doesn't drip when it's installed, it probably wont drip. Doubt they would be selling dripping sump taps and still be in business.

Then again if your like me and take your car off road regularly, then you wouldn't give it a go. You should see the state of my sump.

We had some compressors at work which someone fitted with oil drain valves and pipework because it was too much effort to get a recepticle under the drain point. They all leaked due to poor workmanship (using taper sealing pipe threads in a parralell hole meant to seal on a washer) this nearly cost us an expensive compressor. Also running through a reduced diameter and valves etc makes draining the oil really slow.

We had some compressors at work which someone fitted with oil drain valves and pipework because it was too much effort to get a recepticle under the drain point. They all leaked due to poor workmanship (using taper sealing pipe threads in a parralell hole meant to seal on a washer) this nearly cost us an expensive compressor. Also running through a reduced diameter and valves etc makes draining the oil really slow.

Sounds like his ambition was a little bit ahead of his engineering ability. What the OP's referring to seats where the standard washer does and looks like its engineered properly. I reckon the only issue would be hitting something hard, and if I hit something that hard I'd check my sump anyway.

I think it would be ok however i don't think it's really worth the time. More of a 'because racecar' thing.

It just adds more potential leak points

Quality quick drain sump valves have been used for decades on aircraft with no hassles. Provided they aren't cheap chinese c**p and are well engineered & manufactured, you simply won't have leaks appear out of nowhere. They are a reliable, long term and efficient solution.

But would I put them on my car? Absolutely not.

Aircraft sumps are protected from foreign object damage by several layers of engine cowling, and sit about a metre off the deck. Putting such a mechanical device at the mercy of rocks, sticks or animals about 10cm off the ground is just asking for trouble (IMHO).