Oil drain valve

I installed the RCI engine skid plate today to make oil changes easier. During the purchase I was given the option to buy this valve so I did it. Does any of you folks use one of these? Please share your experience.

 

Great product.

 

Got one and need to use it soon for a fairly easy oil change.

 

I got a front skid and did the same thing (buying a Fumoto valve). Going to do my 1st oil change next week since adding them.

 

Indeed, makes oil changes quicker and easier.

 

I see they have a few versions, including one that rotates. Is this shirt nipple version the best option for us?

 

They work well and save a lot of clean up.

 

I have a short nipple and no drain tube

It works fine without.

 

My first drain valve experience:

Clear vinyl tubing comes in various diameters and wall thicknesses. Thicker tubing is hard to put on the valve nipple. Thinner tubing is easier. But if the oil is warm, it will heat up the thin-walled tubing, which will soften and drop off the nipple unexpectedly, resulting in an unexpected mess. When I first tried the tubing, in my hubris and conceit I rolled out from under the car and didn’t monitor the situation, which resulted in a huge oil slick.

Solutions:

1. Use a rubber tube which won’t soften with heat. But you won’t be able to see through the rubber hose to know that it has finished draining.
2. Use the thick-wall tubing and just deal with struggling to get it over the nipple.
3. Use the thin-wall tubing with a plastic hose clamp. The hose clamp can be applied and removed without tools. This is my favorite solution.

 

Who’s using the Fumoto valve with the long nipple? How close does it come to the slid plate?

 

I am. It doesn't come close. There is plenty of space. I just completed an oil change and use the hose and just directly into the can. No mess, no spills, all good.

 

I have used the Fumoto valves for years in many applications, also have one on the 4Runner, pretty much mess free.

 

Thanks. Glad to hear the long nipple version works with plenty of room.

 

I can reaffirm the longer nipple version with mt RCI skid plate. I also cut my thicker tubing short enough to hang into the drain pan without kinking or spilling. But isn't oil on the floor part of the fun?

 

No. Copied from this thread:

When I was performing my very first oil change — on a 1971 Datsun 510 wagon, yellow — I filled the car with oil, having neglected to replace the drain plug. I closed the hood, hopped in, started her up, and backed down the long concrete driveway. Leaving a nice long strip of oil on the pavement all the way down. I spent 2 weekends getting the stain off the driveway, and even years later my dad never passed up on an opportunity to remind me of the incident.​