Quick drain plugs.

S

Scott S

Joined
Jul 27, 2021
Messages
1,940
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
I had back surgery back in March, as some of you know, unfortunately it wasn't as successful as planned, a lot of the pain is still there, leg weakness is still at 100% versus the other side, what I would like to do, it's get a quick drain plug. I have seen and looked at some videos I have done searches on here, I would like some people's opinions though on each and every one of these.. please.. if you have experience with them. The vehicle it will be going on, is a 2013 Ford Edge with a 3.5 V6.
Fumoto drain valve
Stahlbus drain valve
Valvomax drain valve
Votex drain valve
EZ drain valve

Thank you for your input guys..
 
Scott S said:
I had back surgery back in March, as some of you know, unfortunately it wasn't as successful as planned, a lot of the pain is still there, leg weakness is still at 100% versus the other side, what I would like to do, it's get a quick drain plug. I have seen and looked at some videos I have done searches on here, I would like some people's opinions though on each and every one of these.. please.. if you have experience with them. The vehicle it will be going on, is a 2013 Ford Edge with a 3.5 V6.
Fumoto drain valve
Stahlbus drain valve
Valvomax drain valve
Votex drain valve
EZ drain valve

Thank you for your input guys..
Click to expand...
tons of previous posts about this....
 
I would imagine any the drain plugs listed would be fine.

In addition, perhaps top side service makes sense. I love my MityVac. I swap the filter every 2nd or 3rd 5K OCI.
I have found 2 vehicles it would not work on, a Subie and a 2002 Silverado.

Good luck.
1720889988713.jpg

1720890023304.jpg
 
Highlander 1459 said:
I have a Fumoto on my pickup truck.. simple, cheap and EZ to use.. but you still have to lay on the ground to use the device..so if laying on the ground and using a wrench is a problem, would laying on the ground to flip open a small valve also not be a problem.?
Click to expand...
What I am figuring, flip the valve, change the filter, and get up, fill my washer fluid, check an air tire pressure if needed, by the time that's done, I should be able to close the valve. Instead of just staying on my back, or using any strength to loosen or tighten the plug.. it's a thought.
 
JeffKeryk said:
The beauty of the MityVac is it is so un-messy, if that is even a word. Just get the oil warm, the warmer the better. Then just expel the old oil into an empty jug. I have done this on Christmas day for guests in my best Levis...
Click to expand...
I guess you just measured the dipstick stick that in start pumping, and gravity does the rest? Have you ever done it on a Ford Edge
 
I personally do not like those style drain plugs, I would recommend looking into oil extractor pumps, Harborfreight sells air operated and manual, I recommend the deluxe version.
 
Scott S said:
I guess you just measured the dipstick stick that in start pumping, and gravity does the rest? Have you ever done it on a Ford Edge
Click to expand...
No. But most vehicles work fine. If the dipstick aims straight into the bottom of the pan, you should be fine.
What year Edge?
 
I installed Valvomax drain valves on my 2023 Toyota Tundra and 2023 Toyota Corolla. They appear to be high-quality pieces and I like that they’re low-profile. I changed the oil on my Tundra a couple weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised and how easy and clean the process is. Highly recommend.

IMG_2870.webp
 
Scott S said:
I had back surgery back in March, as some of you know, unfortunately it wasn't as successful as planned, a lot of the pain is still there, leg weakness is still at 100% versus the other side, what I would like to do, it's get a quick drain plug. I have seen and looked at some videos I have done searches on here, I would like some people's opinions though on each and every one of these.. please.. if you have experience with them. The vehicle it will be going on, is a 2013 Ford Edge with a 3.5 V6.
Fumoto drain valve
Stahlbus drain valve
Valvomax drain valve
Votex drain valve
EZ drain valve

Thank you for your input guys..
Click to expand...
Fumoto drain valve - Works okay, hangs down lower than some others and looks like a refugee from the Home Depot plumbing aisle.
Stahlbus drain valve - Very good German made quality, easy to use, low profile, safety cap, standard versions are not SS and a bit pricey.
Valvomax drain valve - Very similar to the Stahlbus, high quality SS, easy to use, low profile, safety cap, less expensive than Stahlbus.
Votex drain valve No experience.
EZ drain valve No experience.

I use the Valvomax exactly the same as USask2000 does, with 5 qt capacity or less just put the hose in an empty 5qt jug and let it drain. For larger capacity fill the one jug squeeze the hose then put the hose in another jug. No emptying drain pans with a funnel spilling oil, just return the full jug for recycle.

​

 
My airplane has a quick drain oil plug with a nozzle that snugly fits a standard plastic hose. Connect the hose, twist the plug and drain with no mess, easy-peasy. These plugs are certified for aviation use, and if the quick-drain mechanism fails on an airplane, the consequences are far more severe than on a car. If you have any concern about quality or reliability, maybe you can find an airplane unit that fits your car. They are readily available from aviation parts sites like Sporty's and Chief.
 
Trav said:
Fumoto drain valve - Works okay, hangs down lower than some others and looks like a refugee from the Home Depot plumbing aisle.
Stahlbus drain valve - Very good German made quality, easy to use, low profile, safety cap, standard versions are not SS avnd a bit pricey.
Valvomax drain valve - Very similar to the Stahlbus, high quality SS, easy to use, low profile, safety cap, less expensive than Stahlbus.
Votex drain valve No experience.
EZ drain valve No experience.

I use the Valvomax exactly the same as USask2000 does, with 5 qt capacity or less just put the hose in an empty 5qt jug and let it drain. For larger capacity fill the one jug squeeze the hose then put the hose in another jug. No emptying drain pans with a funnel spilling oil, just return the full jug for recycle.

​

Click to expand...
Thank you @Trav
 
I have a Fumoto drain valve on my wife's Outback. Absolutely no issues, and I love the convenience. A hose snaps on, so I can drain directly into an empty oil jug. I put the hose on the valve and into a jug, and open the valve to start draining. Then I go topside and change the oil filter. By the time I have installed a new filter, the engine is done draining. Close the valve, remove the hose, and I'm ready to take the used motor oil the Autozone. No mess. No fuss.

Because the oil pan is quite a bit above the front torsion bar, there is almost no risk at all of the valve getting hit by road debris. But that may or may not be the case on your car. Fumoto has valves that are designed to minimize how much they extend below the drain plug, but it is still something to consider.

For my Mercedes E350, I use an extractor like @JeffKeryk. I love it. It is every bit as convenient as Jeff says. But it has pros and cons to the Fumoto valve. Pro: If the filter is on top, I don't even need to lift the car to do an oil change. Pro: No concern about a valve on the bottom of the engine. Con: Initial cost of buying an extractor. Con: Having to transfer the oil from the extractor to an empty oil jug, to take it for disposal. But you really don't have to do this. If you like, you can take the oil, still in the extractor, to your local reclamation site, and dump it from the extractor.

I would use it on the Outback, but the dip stick tube is too small to get a tube down it, so I can't use the extractor on the Outback. Check this out before you go with an extractor, so you know if the tube will fit your dip stick tube.
 
Installed a Fumoto on my Ranger 4.0l SOHC because I concluded the pan threads had been damaged by the previous owner.
Installed a Fumoto on my neighbor's 2.4l Honda to preclude continued plug removals from its damaged pan threads.
The Honda's stock drain plug was dripping.
I used Permatex Ultra-Black on the Accord installation because the pan threads felt weakened, with success.
It created no strike hazard on the truck and essentially none on the Accord.
It's a small valve which, in no way, resembles a refugee from the plumbing aisle.

The Fumoto distribution center on 34th St. in NYC was cool to go to.
They come in a wide array of sizes, some huge.
 
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