Fumoto Oil Drain Valve (Was: Not a Tool)
From: Charles Lincoln (clincoln@spiritone.com)
Date: Thu 07 Feb 2002 - 12:53:05 EST
> citpro <citpro@yahoo.com> (02/06/2002 9:47 PM):
>Charlie, Enlighten me more on this oil drain valve! Have several
>Lions, and oil changes are a drag. Would welcome properly designed
>valve to lessen the pain. Bill
I've got the valve on 3 cars, including the XN6 Peugeot. If you are
doing several oil changes a year, well worth the investment IMO. My
biggest problem has been to remember to close the valve before adding
fresh oil - no wrench on the floor or copper washer on the workbench as a
reminder.
They might have a web site since I got my valves, and there might be
better distribution. When I called, they faxed me information and the
application/part number list.
- Charlie
The following is from my 12/29/1998 post:
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With a year experience and 3 oil changes on my Acura (one of the best $16
I've spent), I just ordered these valves for the Peugeot and the Volvo.
The Fujimoto drain valve is a ball valve with a spring loaded lever. To
open the valve you lift the lever past a detent & rotate the lever 1/4
turn and get nice steady oil stream right into the collecting pan. Don't
need a wrench, nor a new copper washer for the plug, nor towels to clean
the tools and spills. To close, rotate back and it snaps into the detent
slot. It seems very secure; Volvo owners have been recommending it on
their list and I have yet to hear of a complaint in 4 years on that list.
The company's main business is heavy duty trucks; auto distribution is
limited. They claim 3 failures out of 2 million valves in the last 15
years; they caution about off-road use because the valve protrudes about
1/2" more than a regular drain plug. The also have a version with a
nipple where you can attach a tube so you can direct where it will drain
(that was tempting!).
Do be aware it protrudes 5/8 of an inch (17mm) straight down further than
a regular drain plug - except for the muffler, the lowest point under the
car. Not as vulnerable as the fog lights, but if you drive off road or
dirt roads with a high center, it might not give you peace of mind.
Also, if you are concerned about getting the last drop of oil out, the
valve male threads might protrude slightly into the oil pan (I forgot to
measure the oil pan thickness at that point, but the thread depth is 5/16
inch).
The part number for Peugeots:
F-105 - 505 Gas Turbo (20mm thread)
F-108 - All others (16mm thread)
You can order direct. Cost is $17.98 including shipping. Send a check
(they don't take charge cards) to:
Fumoto Engineering of America
12328 Northup Way
Bellevue, WA 98005
Phone: 425-869-7771
Fax: 425/869-2558
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