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Old 12-14-2020, 08:23 AM   #1
Yogrowma
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Default Fumoto valve worth it?

Is Fumoto valve worth it for 2015 WRX, if so, any preferred models? Biggest concern is the thing leaking unintentionally
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Old 12-14-2020, 09:17 AM   #2
Plecain
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I'd never use something like that for the reason you state - possible leaks.

In my opinion it would need safety wire or some other positive way to keep it shut. Seems like needless bother to me. If you're even a little careful the factory plug works fine.
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Old 12-14-2020, 10:29 AM   #3
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I've been running the same Fumoto valve on my FXT that I originally purchased for my WRX in 2003.
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Old 12-14-2020, 10:34 AM   #4
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I have Fumoto valves on several of my cars, and have used them on many cars in the past. Once or twice I had issues with leakage around the gasket, but that was easily remedied.

I don't specifically have a 2015, but I imagine experience with the valves is rather universal.

It makes changing the oil a breeze. I love pulling the car in to the garage at operating temperature and having the oil pour out so effortlessly. It probably leaves quite a bit less old oil in the system. You can easily open the valve without getting any oil on your hands.

There's a little plastic clip you can get for it that snaps on to help hold it closed, but I've never noticed the lever even pushing against it. Never lost a clip either.

If you do your own oil changes, I'd definitely recommend one.
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Old 12-14-2020, 10:41 AM   #5
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We sell a ton of them and it's the first mod I put on every shop car we purchase. Since using them in 2005, I've never once had an issue or even heard back from a customer with an issue. On cars where the valve is visible without removing the belly pan (like my wife's 2015 FXT, it's no tool oil changes

The valve handle is spring loaded into a notch. You would have to hit something in two directs to make the valve open. They also now sell a 'safety lock' that takes it a step further (I've never used it personally). If you're going to do off-road rally, I would recommend safety wiring it, but if you're doing that you're already safety wiring everything :P

We did at one point sample some other valves (I can't remember the brand, but they were cheap), and they didn't last a year without leaking.
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Old 12-14-2020, 03:36 PM   #6
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zip ties also work in place of the clip.
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Old 12-14-2020, 05:45 PM   #7
Vancouver98STi
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Question

The base of the valve obviously screws into the oil pan. How much of it protrudes beyond the inside edge of the pan? It's probably not a whole lot, but whatever it is, I imagine this "lip" would prevent heavier crud located on the bottom of the pan from draining out.

I've never found it to be much of a chore to remove a drain plug. It's a good test of reflexes to quickly pull the plug away from the pan, to avoid the hot oil, just as the last bit of thread disengages.
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Old 12-15-2020, 01:12 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MortonCharbo View Post
You can easily open the valve without getting any oil on your hands.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vancouver98STi View Post
I've never found it to be much of a chore to remove a drain plug. It's a good test of reflexes to quickly pull the plug away from the pan, to avoid the hot oil, just as the last bit of thread disengages.
Yeah, I've never found it overly troublesome to stick with the OEM drain plug.

If you press in on the plug while unscrewing it, there will be no leaks while backing the plug out of the pan. Then, when you feel the last thread disengage, simply pull the plug out of the way and let it drain.

Once I learned the "press in while unscrewing" trick, I've never gotten oil on my hands. (Nitrile gloves with a long gauntlet are nice to have as well...)

Last edited by car_freak85; 12-16-2020 at 10:50 AM.
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Old 12-15-2020, 06:31 PM   #9
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Is it really that much effort to crack and unthread a bolt to drain your oil. I never understood why people added these to their cars. Just seems like another possible failure point to add
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Old 12-15-2020, 07:00 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GK1707 View Post
Is it really that much effort to crack and unthread a bolt to drain your oil. I never understood why people added these to their cars. Just seems like another possible failure point to add
It's extremely convenient. If you slightly over full your oil, you can let just a little out very easily. You don't have to replace the crush washer every time you change your oil. You don't have to worry about stripping the threads. There's almost no chance of a mess.

One could argue that the drain bolt is also a point of failure, albeit a different kind of failure.

You can take samples of your oil very easily if you want analysis performed before your oci.

I mean, there are so many reasons why people put these on their car. Whether they are reasons you or I would agree with or not is another matter.
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Old 12-15-2020, 07:50 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MortonCharbo View Post
It's extremely convenient. If you slightly over full your oil, you can let just a little out very easily. You don't have to replace the crush washer every time you change your oil. You don't have to worry about stripping the threads. There's almost no chance of a mess.

One could argue that the drain bolt is also a point of failure, albeit a different kind of failure.

You can take samples of your oil very easily if you want analysis performed before your oci.

I mean, there are so many reasons why people put these on their car. Whether they are reasons you or I would agree with or not is another matter.

I would still argue that its not MUCH more convenient that unthreading and threading back a drain bolt but as mentioned thats my personal .02.

Also I have never replaced my crush washer and never had a leak from a drain plug on numerous cars.
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Old 12-16-2020, 03:49 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MortonCharbo View Post

You don't have to worry about stripping the threads.
If someone is so daft as to strip the threads of the bolt or pan while doing an oil change, they shouldn't be working on cars. Seriously.
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Old 12-16-2020, 12:55 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vancouver98STi View Post
If someone is so daft as to strip the threads of the bolt or pan while doing an oil change, they shouldn't be working on cars. Seriously.
Well, I have damaged threads in the aluminum sump of a motorcycle almost 20 years ago.
It had happened over time (I rode that bike for 8 years); but it happened anyway.
So, my step 1 is oil drain valve. Fumoto is not the only game in town btw, I use Stahlbus valves on all my bikes, added one to the wife's Forester 4EAT sump (already had a Fumoto on the engine oil pan).

https://www.stahlbus-us.com/oil-drain-valve/

Never had a leak or failure with any of these things.
Doing back-to-back refills and drains on the 4EAT tranny fluid was very convenient with the Stahlbus valve in there.
Also, comes in handy for oil/fluid sampling/analysis.
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Old 12-23-2020, 03:08 AM   #14
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Don't have one on the Subie (2008 Impreza) but I've ran one on my 2002 Saturn for years now. Never had any issues with it leaking or getting hit by anything, and the roads are pretty crappy here.

Only drawback I've noticed is it takes a good while for all the oil to drain out because the flow is limited. I usually drain it on my lunch break at work, pull it in, put it up on the lift, crack open the valve and leave it drain for 20 minutes or so while I eat my lunch, then change the filter and close the valve.

So they have their pros and cons, but as far as quality goes, they are great. Still thinking of putting one on the Impreza, just haven't yet.
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Old 12-23-2020, 04:17 AM   #15
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Used to be strongly against them due to the "possible" problems listed above.

Key phrase "used to be". I'd never look back now.
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Old 12-23-2020, 09:42 AM   #16
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Fumoto cons:

1. Cost

Fumoto pros:

1. Removes the need for a tool to drain oil.
2. Removes the on and off of the drain plug many times over its lifespan increasing reliability.
3. Enables those with OCD the ability to remove exactly 7 ounces of oil if an overfill happens.

Fumoto lies idiots perpetuate:

1. It will come lose. How does that work exactly?
2. The valve bail will turn and the oil will drain out. How does that work exactly?
3. You will hit something and knock it off. If you hit something hard enough to remove something attached to your motor, you are doing it wrong.
4. The valve threads into the pan so you can't remove the last .0000234 ounces of oil. While true, there is no engine maker that requires a flush and fill and every drain and fill leaves oil behind.

Ultimately a Fumoto is a personal choice and one can't quantify worth in life. I went shopping with a buddy this weekend and he showed me his $500 pocket knife. Is it worth it? I have $200 tweezers in my garage. Are they worth it? Who knows. I've been running my Fumoto for 307,000 miles and I spun one on my wife's Ascent on oil change #1. They are worth it to me as it makes the oil change a bit quicker.
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Old 12-23-2020, 10:01 AM   #17
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I put them on all of my cars, and recommend them to all of my customers as it makes everyones life 10x easier. Mine are all sealed with copper washers, and have never had any leaks. My cars that see track use are safety wired just for extra insurance but the street cars all have the clip they offer and none have ever popped off.

There entirely worth every penny.
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Old 12-23-2020, 02:50 PM   #18
Vancouver98STi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post

They are worth it to me as it makes the oil change a bit quicker.
Since I don't use a Fumoto valve, I spend two minutes less time on the 'net any day that I plan to change my oil.
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Old 12-23-2020, 03:32 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vancouver98STi View Post
Since I don't use a Fumoto valve, I spend two minutes less time on the 'net any day that I plan to change my oil.
But two minutes more cleaning the oil off your hands
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Old 12-23-2020, 09:10 PM   #20
Vancouver98STi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BostonShaun View Post

But two minutes more cleaning the oil off your hands
Believe me, when I'm draining HOT engine oil, I don't get a whole lot on my hands.
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Old 12-23-2020, 11:29 PM   #21
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Lol wut? What's going to fail the valve? Are you planning on keeping your car for 1 million miles? lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by GK1707 View Post
Is it really that much effort to crack and unthread a bolt to drain your oil. I never understood why people added these to their cars. Just seems like another possible failure point to add
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Old 12-29-2020, 08:14 PM   #22
Yogrowma
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Fumoto cons:

1. Cost

Fumoto pros:

1. Removes the need for a tool to drain oil.
2. Removes the on and off of the drain plug many times over its lifespan increasing reliability.
3. Enables those with OCD the ability to remove exactly 7 ounces of oil if an overfill happens.

Fumoto lies idiots perpetuate:

1. It will come lose. How does that work exactly?
2. The valve bail will turn and the oil will drain out. How does that work exactly?
3. You will hit something and knock it off. If you hit something hard enough to remove something attached to your motor, you are doing it wrong.
4. The valve threads into the pan so you can't remove the last .0000234 ounces of oil. While true, there is no engine maker that requires a flush and fill and every drain and fill leaves oil behind.

Ultimately a Fumoto is a personal choice and one can't quantify worth in life. I went shopping with a buddy this weekend and he showed me his $500 pocket knife. Is it worth it? I have $200 tweezers in my garage. Are they worth it? Who knows. I've been running my Fumoto for 307,000 miles and I spun one on my wife's Ascent on oil change #1. They are worth it to me as it makes the oil change a bit quicker.
Thx! Any issues with corrosion of any of the components? Road salt, grime, etc? I think I am a believer in this product now.
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Old 12-31-2020, 05:59 PM   #23
Unabomber
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The whole shebang is brass. It will corrode when a runaway planet hurtles between the earth and the moon causing the moon to crack in two and for us to be riding large horses like in
.
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Old 01-01-2021, 01:55 PM   #24
altonka035
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I've had one on my STI for a few oil changes and had zero issues. No leaking whatsoever and makes oil changes and collecting samples for UOAs a breeze.
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Old 01-27-2021, 12:50 PM   #25
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+1 on all my cars...makes so much easier, don't have to even lift either up lol! but even when i had to take mine in one day the shop didn't overtighten anything, just open an close...jiffy lube is horrible about stripping and overtightening, not with this! I also have a softmetal aluminum pan on a car that will be transitioning this to the valve, either it doesn't seat all the way an leaks right now or i have stripped the threads and tapped it to the next size up...with this don't have to worry about it at all! I also don't believe it would possibly get opened or ripped off, if it did a normal bolt wouldn't save the pan either...these things are solid and simple, the ball valve is straight off plumbing which i don't know how often you wash your hands with knobs that use ball valves, majority use a plunger style operation, but they tend to last a lot longer and oil changes are less frequent...i appreciate the longevity listed above with 17 years goin strong! Im looking forward to mine lasting as long!
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