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Anyone decide against Fumoto/Valvomax oil drain system?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by legend1011, May 25, 2024.

  1. May 25, 2024 at 2:53 PM
    #1
    legend1011

    legend1011 [OP] New Member

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    I've been on the fence about going with a Fumoto/Valvomax oil drain system on my new 2024 TRD ORP. I'm leaning more to the Valvomax because I'm a fan of the lower profile compared to the Fumoto and cap that will act a safe-guard against any failing seal it may have in the future.

    Pros:
    -Easier oil changes
    -Less chance for oil spills and messes
    -Less wear and tear on oil pan threads which could cause leaks (stripped threads)

    Cons:
    -Potential for a mechanic/ tech to not sure how to mess with it (I plan on doing my own oil changes so won't be an issue)
    -Slower flow-rate because of reduced hole size. Perhaps this won't get all of the sludge/dirt out?
    -Won't drain out all oil? It appears the threads on the Fumote/Valvomax will stay higher than the bottom of the oil pan. Could this also cause metal/wear fragments to not fully drain out at oil change time?
    -Corrosion by not removing plug from pan? I'm not sure how the brass/stainless steel will react with the oil pan long-term (especially that it isn't regularly being removed).

    I plan on keeping this truck as long as possible. I'd hate to introduce an issue that can be avoidable by sticking with the OEM plug. Especially since I'll most likely just be changing the oil 2x a year.

    I did buy the Motivx oil filter tool. Motivx oil filter drain tool, and Motivx funnel. I thought about buying the metal oil filter housing, but I am having similar concerns (if it's not broke, don't fix it). I am going to stick with Toyota OEM filter elements (04152-YZZA5)

    Thoughts?
     
  2. May 25, 2024 at 3:04 PM
    #2
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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  3. May 25, 2024 at 4:52 PM
    #3
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    I had a fumoto for 9 years on my subaru and 0 issue, sold the subaru for my brand new 4R. I just installed a fumoto on my 4R today.
     
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  4. May 25, 2024 at 5:08 PM
    #4
    rwturbo

    rwturbo New Member

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    I am a mechanic and I see lots of vehicles with them and they all work well. They are nice for sure however I look at it as a way for someone to more quickly vandalize your vehicle. Easier access to draining some or all or your oil into a container. Yes the oil light would come on but so many people don’t even look at the dash. Just my thoughts.
     
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  5. May 25, 2024 at 6:07 PM
    #5
    backpacker

    backpacker New Member

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    That would be less easy with a Valvomax, unless they have the magic tube with them. In either case, they'd have to unbolt the cover, and they could just as well drain it from the standard bolt almost as fast.
     
  6. May 25, 2024 at 6:42 PM
    #6
    HuskyMike

    HuskyMike New Member

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    Just did my first oil change with the Valvomax. Very convenient way to drain, although I'm not sure it drained as completely as without the Valvomax. The oil on the dipstick was just brown enough to actually read it after re-filling the oil. Normally it's got that clear "new-oil-color" and you can hardly read it.

    I drilled a larger hole in my Flo-Tool drain pan. The hose from the Valvomax adapter fit right into the hole and the oil drained directly into the container. No more draining on the flat "pan" area first and then into the hole. Much easier clean up.
     
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  7. May 25, 2024 at 8:03 PM
    #7
    icebear

    icebear New Member

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    I wouldn’t be concerned much with bits at the bottom since it’ll likely be suspended in oil already or in the filter.

    Reduced flow rate is real but being able to tube the oil directly into a container with much reduced spill-risk is a big plus.

    Not worried about vandalism in my application since they’d still need to unbolt the door on the skid and it’s easy to do either way.

    I haven’t done it personally to my 4Runner but I’ve equipped my SO’s Honda. Biggest obstacle for me is just the cost of buying.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2024
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  8. May 25, 2024 at 8:04 PM
    #8
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    Yes
     
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  9. May 25, 2024 at 9:44 PM
    #9
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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  10. May 26, 2024 at 4:24 AM
    #10
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    Fumoto valves come as standard equipment on some of the excavators, dozers, etc. Some of these pieces of equipment have 20k + hrs of operating time. I do not know how many miles that could come out to be, but these pieces of equipment get alot more abuse and oil changes than our 4Runners. We have a Fumoto on our 4Runner, but have not ruled out trying different kinds of valves for draining oil, it's just that Fumoto was the valve I've seen the most and thought to try them. BTW, I've never seen a Fumoto go 'bad' on construction equipment.
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2024
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  11. May 26, 2024 at 4:49 AM
    #11
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    Do I need to change the gas cap so no one vandalizes my runner by putting shit in the tank? If vandalism is a reason not to buy and install a tool to assist with oil changes, then I think there are bigger concerns.
     
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  12. May 26, 2024 at 5:01 AM
    #12
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    To do extra miles with Toy4x4 comment, I use to work on Helicopters and on the engines, transmission, RGB and oil coolers we’re equipped with drain valves also! Never seen a single failure in 30 years! Obviously not fumoto for FAA reasons, but work exactly the same with an aviation price tag!
     
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  13. May 26, 2024 at 6:32 AM
    #13
    ljerr2

    ljerr2 New Member

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    I was curious about this, too and installed one on my Tacoma to check to see how much was left in the pan after draining with a ValvoMax. I installed the valve and then next oil change I drained it, then pulled the valve and let the remaining oil drain out. Wasn't a lot - I can't recall exactly how much but you won't get all of it off the bottom of the pan. I ended up just staying with an OE drain plug but my primary concern was likely unwarranted but has to do with torque on the valve upon installation. For the Fumoto valve, I couldn't get past the idea of tightening a brass valve into my steel pan. OE spec is like 30 lb/ft. Don't know what Fumoto is but maybe half that? ValvoMax was a little sketchy giving me the torque spec and what it would handle but would seem much more robust being stainless v. brass. I liked everything else about the ValvoMax product.
    My oil change setup now involves a bucket with filter media in the bottom to prevent splashing like this:
    https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-38750-Round-No-Splatter-Pad/dp/B0051ACYA8.
    Works great and only real opportunity for me to make a mess is upon initial removal of the drain plug.
     
  14. May 26, 2024 at 6:43 AM
    #14
    semprenissart

    semprenissart Mèfi

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    Never had any issues changing the oil the normal way.

    would the fumoto valve risk doing some damages if a big hit against a rock pushes it into the oil pan?
     
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  15. May 26, 2024 at 8:18 AM
    #15
    Yamahamer

    Yamahamer New Member

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    I installed EZ drain (Fumoto clone) valves on two of my vehicles several years ago. Love them. Push a hose onto the drain nipple, turn on the valve and every drop of oil going down into a 5 gallon bucket. Not a drop spilled. I haven't installed one on the 4R yet...not sure if it's worth it, considering the silly cartridge oil filter setup. Don't know of any way to change that filter without at least a few drops of oil spilled.
     
  16. May 26, 2024 at 8:22 AM
    #16
    Kfish

    Kfish New Member

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    I installed a Fumoto on the first oil change on my 2020 and not a single problem or leak. I've had Fumoto on previous car and my wife's Highlander as well. 4runner skid plate cover and protects the Fumoto with a circle opening big enough for easy oil drain.
     
  17. May 26, 2024 at 9:53 AM
    #17
    TRDSD

    TRDSD Warrior of the Wasteland

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    That's what a good skid plate is for.
     
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  18. May 26, 2024 at 11:07 AM
    #18
    semprenissart

    semprenissart Mèfi

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    Yes a decent aftermarket skid plate would solve this but the OEM small cover doesn’t protect much from a big hit
     
  19. May 26, 2024 at 1:31 PM
    #19
    TRDSD

    TRDSD Warrior of the Wasteland

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    Well, you shouldn't be playing in the rocks and risking "a big hit against a rock" in the first place with an OEM skid plate, right? If that's the case, you're better off keeping the drain bolt, too.
     
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  20. May 27, 2024 at 9:33 AM
    #20
    legend1011

    legend1011 [OP] New Member

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    This will be a good option for me for now. My wife and I have plenty of the oem Toyota crush washers already because I change the oil on her Lexus. I'm going to invest in a good torque wrench (considering buying the HF Icon torque wrench for these types of jobs). I have always done it by "feel", but want to be more official about this with the new truck.
     
  21. May 27, 2024 at 10:21 AM
    #21
    Tama1968

    Tama1968 New Member

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    I'm not militant pro or con on the Fumotos, but I've used them on almost all of our vehicles for 20+ years with no issues whatsoever. we had a couple Camry's where I was worried about clearance but no issues on the SUV's especially my 4Runner
     
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  22. May 27, 2024 at 12:33 PM
    #22
    AuSeeker

    AuSeeker Old As Dirt

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    Unless you're getting the 3/8" drive the 1/2" drive Icon torque wrench doesn't go down low enough for the drain plug, it's minimum torque is 50 lbs. I believe the drain plug is way less than that, around 27 to 30 lbs I'm not mistaken.
     
  23. Mar 25, 2025 at 3:39 AM
    #23
    AE1M

    AE1M New Member

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    I just acquired a new 2024 ORP and read a lot, I finally decided on the Stahlbus device just due the fact there is a screw on cap which would protect in case of a failure. Also, a vandal would not be able to release the mechanism and drain the oil easily like the Fumoto. The drain tube also serves the double purpose to release the oil and allow it to easily be drained into a container. I carry a spare drain tool in my toolbag in the truck if I decide to have the oil changed elsewhere later in life, I’m 68 now…..
     
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  24. Mar 25, 2025 at 3:49 AM
    #24
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    Stahlbus has a good design with the cap. After the drain is turned off it's kind of a double safety, although personally I have never heard of failure of the other 2 drain valves other than someone over tightening them and stripping threads.
     
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  25. Mar 25, 2025 at 4:53 AM
    #25
    coachhomer

    coachhomer New Member

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    Ive used the Fumoto on 6 different vehicles for over a combined 700k miles and never had a drop of oil leak. Our 4Runners have a cover plate that has to be removed to even access the valve so I don’t worry about vandals. Can’t speak to the quality of the other brands.

    C
     
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  26. Mar 25, 2025 at 4:54 AM
    #26
    RumHamRunner73

    RumHamRunner73 Dead on with a zero

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    Valvomax for over two years no issues or vandalism yet...
     
  27. Mar 25, 2025 at 7:10 AM
    #27
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    Never saw the benefit of a drain valve on this engine as the filter is messier.
     
  28. Mar 25, 2025 at 8:07 AM
    #28
    2021venture

    2021venture New Member

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    Yes without the right tools. Motivx oil filter drain tool and Fumoto/Valvomax is so clean. Pointing a tube into container to catch the old oil. Yeah my first oil change with factory skid was a mess.
     
  29. Mar 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM
    #29
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    This is all someone would need to vandalize a Stahlbus. Do you have a crazy ex that's been known for opening your Fumoto valves in the past?? I mean, buy whatever design you like best but oil drain vandalization seems like it should be pretty low on the list of considerations.

    [​IMG]
     
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  30. Mar 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
    #30
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    they can use that to take the skid off as well.
     
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