Originally Posted by mtbtim

You guys promoting the Fumoto valve are missing an important reason for dropping the skids, and that's for a better visual inspection of the underside of your engine to catch something that might need addressing. Depending on how many miles you drive a year and how often you choose to do oil changes, this might be the one and only time you drop the skids for an entire year.

I don't get the resistance to removing the skids, especially OEM ones. They are simple to remove and are not heavy. Now, aftermarket skids are a lot more work because they are bulkier and much heavier, but I still remove them for my engine oil/filter and trans fluid changes because I want to do a good visual inspection and catch an issue that might leave me stranded.

Also, if you have a 4wd and you wheel your rig, you're going to want to grease your front driveshaft zerk fittings and it's a hell of a lot easier with the skid plate out of the way.

That's my two and a half cents on the subject.

Originally Posted by superhomunculus

Years ago, I had a Taurus and the oil filter was directly above the starter. I used some cardboard as a funnel. I was definitely unprepared for this oil change. LOL.

Originally Posted by Endlessblockades

Yep, the Fumoto lets you leave your (heavy, overkill, aftermarket) skid plates installed during oil changes.

Originally Posted by jgue467

This makes it Zero pain the ass. Flip a lever, oil drains thru hose into your refuse pan, flip lever back.

Just don't drop the filter, haha....

Amazon.com: Fumoto F106N FN-Series Drain Valve with Long Nipple with Lever Clip : Automotive

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

I went to install the Fumoto that you linked (Fumoto F106N) and discovered that the thread size was way too big. It's my fault for not verifying so I've ordered the correct one (Fumoto F133N). I wanted to post this for anyone else that might be considering this and needs the correct part number.

Originally Posted by JoeT4R

Overall thoughts on it so far? I kinda want one for the "cool factor" but I'm kinda nervous, and I'm not bothered by the OEM drain plug. I'm fine with performing the normal ritual when it comes to oil changes but am slightly interested in the Fumoto drain valve.

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

I'll let you know once the correct one gets here and I install it lol The (wrong) one that I ordered looks very well built, comes with a sealing washer, and seems very well built. I plan on taking it by Lowes before install so I can find a short length of tube for oil changes. With the size of the hole in the stock skid plate I feel like I'll get my arm covered in engine oil reaching up to flip the valve.

Originally Posted by JoeT4R

So 1.) can you still run it without using a tube for oil changes? and 2.) I don't run a front skid, which is what makes me reeeeeally hesitant to try it out. I don't wanna press my luck and potentially run the risk of catastrophic failure God forbid some kind of weird crazy accident happens!

Originally Posted by jgue467

I just tuck my tube up there, nbd. Even without a skid, the vehicle would have to smack a large rock up there, but who goes offroading without skids and lets a rock do that, after all you do have the steering wheel in hand, no???

I use these valves on all my vehicles with a hose left attached/tucked away, never had any issues and it is so much faster, neater, cleaner to drain oil, so EZ.

Originally Posted by JoeT4R

How would you go about torquing it during install?

Originally Posted by Endlessblockades

Hand tight + 1/8 to 1/4 turn. it's a plug not a fastener, so it's not under a lot of stress. Just don't overdo it. The good thing is you only need to install it one time, saving wear and tear on your pan threads and eliminating a future cross-threading......

Originally Posted by Endlessblockades

Looking back at some of these threads, I realize I'm sounding like some kind of Fumoto evangelist, but I'm not saying it's a must-have thing at all. What it mainly does for me is gets me to change my oil more frequently than I might otherwise because it's quite a bit easier to drain by hand with a hose that goes right into the receptacle. I would not be worried about the valve backing out any more than the stock plug.

Originally Posted by shadow247

I have a Fumoto on my wife's Subaru. I have changed the oil 4 times now. It's a simple affair now. I literally drain straight to the waste container and don't have to worry about the drain pan or any splashing at all.

If only these 3rd gens had a better Oil filter design. I really need to grab a form-a-funnel, but I never do. I need to get my buddy to 3d print something that will work.

I haven't put a Fumoto on my 3rd gen yet, but I think I will next oil change.