Oil drain plug valves

[gonzomania]

Any body use these drain plug valves on their oil pans and are they safe? Fram makes them and "Fomoto" not sure if that's the other one.

[CREWZIN]

Saw those in Wal-Mart the other day while walking around, I think it was from FRAM. Seems like a good idea, but wondering how safe it was from tampering or running over something really low that could activate the little handle that would spill your oil all over the place? [:I] Yea it could save a few seconds when you lying on the ground changing the oil and filter and a little less messy, but for piece of mind, I'll stick with the conventional drain plug.

[technobear]

Ive looked at them too. THe concept sounds great but the reality of it worries me.

[gonzomania]

I never seem to be able to find the correct gasket or o-ring for plug. It seems every car I have is the most popular size. I never reuse gasket or o-ring. Just for piece of mind. Chrysler sold me new plug said no replacement part, it was like $4.00.

[AlmondTurbo]

I tried the Fram drain valve in my import pickup, and even with the oil really hot (just driven, 10x30 oil) it was very, very slow. I felt it took too long to drain the oil, and the drain tube turned out to be a pain. I went back to the standard drain plug. The drain valve had plenty of clearence, and seemed to be 'out of danger' in this installation. I just didn't see any advantage in using the drain valve.

[tpscruiser]

Gonz,
Like Almond Turbo. I have a Fram on our PT. They are safe, they come with a screw on safety cover with O-ring seal and don't really hang below the pan. I do find they drain slow but since we don't have a garage and I do the oil change in the driveway, the hose fits nicely into a jug and I don't worry about a little wind blowing that thin trickle of oil all over the driveway as it drains. I just run the PT up on the ramps and start draining the oil while I get the new filter and oil ready.
[8)]

[Stephen R.]

I have the Fumoto. Got it from NAPA. It's solid brass and the lever is spring-loaded and takes some direct effort to open, so it's not going to open on its own.

It works and has clearance. My perspective is this: Cast aluminum oil pan plus hasty mechanic yields stripped threads. It's an insurance policy that costs $15.