Want to Make Changing Your Oil Easy? Take an Oil Sample? Take a Look

[jdub]

Credit to JetJock for this one ;)

A shit hot gizmo from a company named Futomo. Basically it's a valve that screws into your oil pan drain plug hole made from forged brass with a stainless steel ball. Once installed, all you have to do is turn the valve open to drain the oil on your next change...no tools, no more frozen plug, no more stripped threads. You can also get a clip that makes it impossible for the valve to open...honestly, it's not needed...the valve lever is spring loaded into a slot making it very unlikely to open. The clip is just extra insurance. It does not hang down enough to be a problem...if you hit something that will knock this off, you're going to take off the whole pan.

This will make taking an oil sample a breeze.

Got mine at Lubrication Specialist for $20.95:
Futomo Oil Drain Valve (http://lubricationspecialist.com/front/showcontent.aspx?fileid=105)

The model number for the 7M is F-104...18x1.5mm threads. Comes with a washer.

Installed Valve:

http://jdub.supramania.com/Oil Pics/Fumoto 01.jpg
http://jdub.supramania.com/Oil Pics/Fumoto 02.jpg

Valve Closed:

http://jdub.supramania.com/Oil Pics/Fumoto 03.jpg

Clip installed:

http://jdub.supramania.com/Oil Pics/Fumoto 04.jpg

[bwest]

I have a Fram version that is very similar to that. $18.95 at napa. Makes life so much easier - installed it 4 years ago and love it.


RTA Supra added:
Advance Auto Parts also sells a similar product made by Fram

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=FRA&mfrpartnumber=SD3&parttype=734&ptset=A


CyroSlash Added:
edit. shaeff directed me towards the original link with the oil filter relocation.
http://www.supramania.com/forums/showpost.php?p=56194&postcount=15
this is a very useful post by Kamil. Thanks again!

[jdub]

I've seen the Fram version...it works, but doesn't hold a candle to the Futomo quality wise IMO. Plus, the ball valve design of the Futomo makes it pretty much bullet proof. But hey, whatever it takes to make a nasty job easier. No way in hell I'm ever going to let the monkeys at Jiffy Lube touch my car ;)

An oil filter relocation is a big plus too. You can use a larger filter to increase capacity or use a dual filter head and combine a full flow filter with a by-pass filter like the Trasko. This kind of set-up will filter your oil down to the sub-micron level. I plan of doing a write-up on oil filtration and the various options available to keep your oil free of particulates.

One other note...I'll be cleaning this thread (and others) up from time to time to keep down on redundancy and the chatter you see in the Turbo & General forums. This section is for tech info you can access fast to get an answer. So, if your post gets merged or disappears don't be offended ;)

[jdub]

Very cool! This is the first time I have seen something like this. I am going to be picking up one these soon!

Glad I could help ;)
These are a nifty valve for changing your oil.


I just ordered one also with the nipple and 1 hose for draining.

How do you like yours thus far?

No leaks, no problems so far...it will be a while before the oil change. From moving it when I installed the valve, it can't help but be easy ;)

[jdub]

The only reason I didn't get one is because I don't like anything that important hanging lower then the oil pan, especially on a lowered car. If you hit it on something you could have some big problems.

It does hang down about half an inch...about even or slightly below the bottom of the sub-frame and cross frame support bar. To hit it without taking either of the above with it will be a remarkable case of extreme bad luck ;)