Fram SureDrain Oil Pan Valve/Hose

[gaterose]

I found a thread from 2005 discussing this but didn't see a lot of info so I thought I'd post this writeup.

I was debating on buying the Fumoto oil pan drain valve as I've seen a few people here with it. In my research I found that a lot of people complained about the some features of the Fumoto and recommended the Fram SureDrain so I decided to try it instead. It also didn't hurt that the SureDrain was half the price and made in the USA.

Anyway here it is-

What's in the package - valve (with copper washer), key/hose, & cap

Obviously you have to install it when changing the oil or risk spilling a lot of oil and making a mess of things.

So after I (thought I'd) drained all the oil out, I scraped the old fiber washer material off and screwed the SureDrain in.

You can kinda see the valve in this picture but the shadows prevent seeing it better.

It comes with a copper washer instead of the fiber washer like Toyota recommends. If it leaks I'll change it next time.

This is with the drain hose attached. You can see my oil plan clearly was not completely drained and since I screwed the hose connector on without the hose I managed to make a small mess. This wouldn't have happened if I'd had the hose on as it's supposed to work, but I thought the pan was empty enough that it wouldn't matter.

After you drain the oil and remove the hose, Fram includes a brass cap to prevent oil from leaking should the valve fail. It also keeps dirt, mud, and grime from deteriorating the valve. I don't believe the Fumoto valve comes with anything like this.

Here you can see metal "key" that opens the valve when the hose is screwed on tightly.

 

[superman3043]

Have you actually done an oil change with this yet Matt?

From my experience with these, it's a great idea, but the execution falls short.

I had one on my old Honda Accord like 10 years ago and it drains painfully slow. And with the amount of oil my V8 Runner holds over that 4 banger Accord, I'd hate to see how long it takes to do an oil change.

Maybe you could chalk that up to my impatience though.

Anyway, I'm interested to know what you think about how it works.

 

[gaterose]

No I haven't, I just installed it this afternoon. By the rate the oil poured out on my hand when I accidentally put the adapter in without the hose I don't think it'll be a problem.

I use Lucas oil treatment every few oil changes and anyone who's used it knows it takes like 5 minutes for a quart to empty.... I usually do the change in my driveway, so I pull the plug, remove the 710 cap, and cleanup the garage or go inside for a while as it drains.

I'm very impatient but I've had to change the oil on half my family's cars, trucks, and lawn mowers (we have a small lawn business) since I was 14 so it's one thing I've learned to get over.

 

[cotucker]

I haven't seen one of these in years. I was under the assumption they stopped making them. Where did you get it? I had one along time ago on a Cavalier I had and it worked great. Is it still working great for you on your TR4?

 

[toybox]

I've had mine on for many years and it works great. i don't use the orange hose anymore and haven't for a while. I just screw on the drainer part and the oil comes straight down into the pan and there is one less thing to clean. I like it a lot and I will put one on any car that I own in the future. Also it drains fast enough for me. It may drain a little slower but it's hardly noticable if it does.

 

[ridefast]

Thats cool! I have had the same fumoto drain valve since 2007 with no issues! Ive had the same valve on 4 different toyotas. Ill have to try this one for my wifes pilot.

 

[Snesley Wipes]

Definitely recommend the Fumoto...

Check out my thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/83939-fumoto-drain-valve-mod.html

It only takes about 5 min to drain.

Snes

 

[foxtrot]

just ordered a fram one off Ebay, looks like they don't make it anymore,

 

[gaterose]

Yep I got mine on eBay, there were several.

 

[Kmvreter]

I've been using one for years.
I cut the orange hose shorter (approximately half; so it's just above the lip of the drain pan). Easier to see when the draining is complete and easier to remove without getting into the old oil.

 

[gaterose]

Good idea I may need to do that, I think mine just lays on top of the pan.. It doesn't really accumulate though.

 

[me_rikey]

For anyone wondering, you can easily remove the oil pan drain plug, being full of oil, without losing any. As long as you have a shop rag and a decently powerful shop-vac, you can simply remove the fill cap, cover with a rag (tightly), and use the hose (with no attachment) of the shop-vac (obviously turned on) to apply enough pressure to not allow any oil to drain from the 'plug-less' oil pan.

 

[MikeInNH]

I used one years ago. But don't really see the need for it on the 4runner. It's such and easy oil change that I don't find it necessary.