Fumoto Valves - Easier Oil changes [Archive] - Subaru Legacy International

Kraziken

04-06-2007, 12:10 PM

This almost doesn't belong in the DIY section, because it is so easy, but I figure it is a mod.

Oil changes aren't that bad, but I figure with this new valve, I won't have to take out my tools at all. So it will be a fully tool less job. Plus I won't have to buy crush washers any more.

I bought two of them. One for the Subie and one for the wife's Lexus.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/DSCN1486-1.jpg

Here's a couple of pictures before I installed it. The second picture shows the lever a little better.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/DSCN1487-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/DSCN1488-1.jpg

A picture with the valve set to the open position.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/DSCN1490-1.jpg

Here's a picture with the valve installed.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/04/DSCN1492-1.jpg

2.5GT

04-06-2007, 12:25 PM

What if something hits the lever to open?

No oil!!! :smt117

Kraziken

04-06-2007, 12:29 PM

I thought of that to, but according to the manufacturer, this has never happened.

Also if you look at the installed pics. The lever would have to move from the up position down. Since the oil pan is lower than the fumoto valve, I think this is just about impossible.

d1giPhux

04-06-2007, 01:16 PM

Did you cut a slit down your threads to get the maxiumum amount of oil out of the tank? I read a big thread about this a while back.. says to cut down like 2-3 threads because if you dont, the oil in the very bottom of the pan will stay there and not drain proper. Always wanted to put one of these one.. might try it out sometime.

Kraziken

04-06-2007, 01:22 PM

Hmm, I didn't read that. But since the valve is on the side, I wonder if I could accomplish the same thing by just driving up on one ramp for the oil change.

StatGSR

04-06-2007, 01:48 PM

^ it would probably help

Wiscon_Mark

04-06-2007, 08:46 PM

Cool!

The position of the cap on the STi oil pan is a bit different than my EJ22. I thought it was the Lexus at first...

TRUBLU

07-29-2007, 05:54 PM

Due to thet location of the oil pan drain hole...you will never get it all out of the pan anyway. Doesn't really matter what angle it is on.

Payback45

08-09-2007, 01:51 PM

I am intrested in the valve. Where did you buy it from and how much was it?

Huffer

08-09-2007, 02:07 PM

I am intrested in the valve. Where did you buy it from and how much was it?

http://www.fumotousa.com/

Hocrest

08-27-2007, 10:06 PM

What if something hits the lever to open?

No oil!!! :smt117
I've had them on my cars for probably 200k miles between the 3 of them. I've never had a problem, including times taking the Leg and the Brat through the deep soft sands of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Huffer

08-30-2007, 07:56 AM

Ok, so I just ordered two from Lubrication Specialist:
www.lubricationspecialist.com (http://www.lubricationspecialist.com)

Placed order August 28 3.30pm, got UPS shipping notification Aug 28 4.30pm,
order delivered Aug 29 12.30pm.

Total cost was $48.15

The valves look good - I will be installing the Honda's valve tonight!

I might go to Lowes and pick up a couple of locking clips just to be sure - we deal with a lot of snow in the winter too.

:)

Huffer

09-06-2007, 03:01 PM

Ok, so yesterday I hooked up the 03 Accord with a Fumoto valve (F-106).

It was super-easy, I did it while I was doing the oil change.

I did discover that the valve initially was tough to open. I'm not sure if it's because it's been sitting around idle in a warehouse, or if there there was some kind of preservative layer on the interior. Either way, once I had it spun into the oilpan drain hole it wasn't a problem.

I did notice that unless you have very strong thumbs that getting the valve to tighten onto the pan is difficult - there is no "socket" style head to turn, so I just used a piece of wood and a rubber mallet to make sure the valve was on the pan tight enough. If I need to remove it later I can use some grips.

The opening of the valve isn't much smaller than the original drain hole so flow won't be a problem.

The nice thing about these valves is that if the car is up high enough, I can just open the valve and let all the oil drain into a bottle. I should only need a drain pan for the filter now, which is awesome.

Best $21 I spent!

Khanhfucious

09-09-2007, 06:33 PM

You coulda used an adjustable wrench on the flat sides to tighten it. :wink:

Huffer

09-10-2007, 07:40 AM

You coulda used an adjustable wrench on the flat sides to tighten it. :wink:

Didn't want to scratch the valve up... :)

LeggoMyLeggy

09-11-2007, 01:45 AM

Try not to piss anyone off who knows you have this installed. :) I like it though.

It looks like you can use a hose clip to further insure against accidental opening of the lever.

/Leggo

Huffer

09-11-2007, 07:50 AM

It looks like you can use a hose clip to further insure against accidental opening of the lever.

I actually used a 5/8" hose clamp (the screwhead adjustable type) because the olderstyle hose clips aren't common anymore, and you need a lot more force to remove the screw-head type hose clamp.

Reason

09-11-2007, 08:23 AM

You coulda used an adjustable wrench on the flat sides to tighten it. :wink:

Didn't want to scratch the valve up... :)

I think he is talking about the rubber grips. It could work, you just need leverage.

RootedTree

02-27-2008, 09:51 PM

i found out tonight at that advanced auto parts sells something similar for roughly $15, its manufactured by Dorman: EZ Change.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/cgi-bin/ ... ry_list=:0 (https://www.dormanproducts.com/cgi-bin/vm91corp30r/item-dtl.w?sid=0x009d621d&item=092-010&icrid=0x0027bee0&clt=hwrap1&vsrch_str=&vsrch_brand=&vsrch_cat=&st_amount=&end_amount=&start=&vfrom=&prev=&vnext=&category_list=:0)

The store didnt have it in stock but they could order it. From the picture on Dorman's website it doesnt look like it has a valve, but a guy at the store said it has a coupling and you just need the reverse with some tubing to get the fluid out.

anyone had any experience with this?

Plays_with_Toys

02-27-2008, 11:32 PM

You basically attach a hose and jiggle a handle or something. I forget what you do to drain, but this has been around for a long while. I think the fumoto valve looks more robust.

Payback45

09-20-2009, 12:40 PM

So for all that have bought these have any of you had any problems with them?

rougeben83

09-20-2009, 06:59 PM

Magoozle

09-20-2009, 07:22 PM

So for all that have bought these have any of you had any problems with them?
Actually I have, I never tell people not to buy them because mine may have been faulty but I won't buy those again.

Had one on my Impreza years and years ago, the spring got loose over roughly a few oil changes to the point where the lever wouldn't stay up in the locked position anymore. I got nervous and removed it and bought another thinking it was just a fluke. The same thing happened to the new one so I contacted Fumoto and told them about it. They offered to send me a new one but I declined, just thought they should know to look out for it.

Huffer

09-20-2009, 08:31 PM

Three years, four cars, all in NE Ohio with no problems.

JoshP

10-01-2009, 05:12 PM

The drain plug is much too easy on a subaru to access for me to justify using that. I would only use one on a hard to reach plug.

Huffer

10-01-2009, 06:47 PM

The drain plug is much too easy on a subaru to access for me to justify using that. I would only use one on a hard to reach plug.

Like what vehicle? Every vehicle I've ever done an oil change on has had a drain plug just as easy to get to.

Bottom line, I use no tools to do an oil change now.

SilentRacer

10-12-2009, 12:15 PM

The drain plug is much too easy on a subaru to access for me to justify using that. I would only use one on a hard to reach plug.

That's not the point of it. When you take off that drain plug, oil goes everywhere. This way if you have the valve and the optional tube, you can have it drain right into a can.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/10/fumoto05-1.jpg

What if something hits the lever to open?
No oil!!! :smt117

They sell an optional locking clip if you have that concern.

Huffer

10-12-2009, 12:33 PM

What if something hits the lever to open?
No oil!!! :smt117

They sell an optional locking clip if you have that concern.

Further, you'd have to hit something that would drag the lever DOWN, not UP. The lever flips down to open the valve, and up to close it.

The locking clip can either be a small hose clamp that you slip over the valve and tighten with your screw driver OR one of those pinch closers made of thick wire.

And it's seriously JDM - Made in Japan. :lol:

Following pic is from an Explorer, but on my waggy and the wife's Accord the valve is rotated. I'd hit my engine cross member or wheel hubs before I smash the valve.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/10/attachmentphpattachmentid3677stc1d116836-1.jpg

Here's a nice review a fella in Aussie posted, check it out:
http://autospeed.com/cms/title_The-Fumo ... ticle.html (http://autospeed.com/cms/title_The-Fumoto-Engine-Oil-Drain-Valve/A_2029/article.html)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/10/2029_3lo-1.jpg

LunchBox04V

10-12-2009, 12:50 PM

I agree, in a hardto reach location this would be great! I recall my mothers Mazda MPV van from years ago was a total pain in the a**. Another thought, though I can't remember if my Subie has one... Is a drain plug Has a magnet. I mean it is a minor thing, but if you had metal in the oil you would know. I just changed the old Yamaha's oil and it reminded me.

Huffer

10-12-2009, 01:25 PM

The tranny plugs and rear diff plugs have magnets, but not the engine oil pan.

JohnnyC

11-06-2009, 01:31 AM

I'm running Fumoto Valves on the WRX and LGT. No problems other than the one I put on the WRX I used that crappy little green washer thing they provide and it didn't seal perfect, so it leaks just the tiniest bit. The LGT obviously got a crush ring with the install. Haven't even done an oil change with them yet, but I'm excited.

TheSiege

08-04-2010, 01:52 PM

So is the f-105 a fit for a BD?

Huffer

08-04-2010, 02:15 PM

So is the f-105 a fit for a BD?

Yep. Still running mine, 3 years later.

LegacyDeluxe

08-21-2010, 12:37 AM

For those worried about the magnetic effect.......two options.......

If you don't want to use the valve, and keep your original plug, you can stick a rare-earth magnet on the end of your plug, and it will magnetize to draw the metal shavings to the plug.
The other idea.......you might not catch the shavings, but you can also just stick a magnet to the bottom of the pan to draw the shavings there, if you're worried about them floating, and cycling through your oil. Of course, you might at some point want to remove the pan to pull the shavings out, but at least it's not flowing through your motor.