Fumoto Valve and the pimply faced kid

I have been considering a Fumoto valve as I "almost" always change my own oil. However, living here in NH there are times when it is either too cold, or snowy to get under the truck to do the work. When that happens, I check around for a deal on a synthetic change and have it done by the pimply faced kid at a local shop.
What about the valve and the pimply faced kid? Does anyone have any experience with an oil change at a shop when you have the valve installed. Do you have to explain how to use it, is there a problem, etc.

 

I've heard that some dealers won't even touch it...

But why don't you just schedule your changes around Spring and Fall?

 

I am of the opinion the pimply faced kid is equally likely to screw up the oil change with a normal drain plug. He can cross-thread the drain plug with an 1/2" impact set to max torque, forget the oil filter catcher bottle to grind against the fan belt, mistakenly drain the transmission...

Most lube shops in my area don't employ pimply faced kids. They hire older-looking mechanics who will appear more authoritative when upselling you on the EFI system flush or transmission flush.

 

as having some of those pimply faced kids in my shop. Our policy is we don't touch them. Too much liability in a draining device we can't put tamper seal on. I've been in a few shops where this is the policy. Same goes for over sized plugs, butterfly valves, quick drain (fumoto) and anything that isn't oem or oem equivalent. When I was with firestone we use to do them and some bozo decided he wanted a new engine so he opened his valve and drained his oil and locked up the motor. Firestone bought him a new motor. Couldn't prove it was the shop or the customer. Now only drain plugs that can have blue tamper seal installed will be worked on.

 

guess what ? do it yourself from now on
because you will always have to crawl under there and double check it if you
have someone else touch it.

 

I thought the point of the valve was so you can change it yourself with no tools?

 

Potential upside for me is not getting my hands covered in oil...

 

My local spray it yourself car wash actually has a sign somethng about please do not change oil in the bays. Like a sign is really going to stop people that would actually think of it, from draining their oil into the car wash drain.

 

My first thought was "What idiot would do that"

My second thought is, "Oh so many..."

 

I do that. But we don't know how many miles @vtdog puts on every year.

 

True, but if he knows he's putting on a ton of miles, and really wants to avoid doing winter changes, just schedule 3 changes. early March, mid July, late October/early November.

 

I have a shop that I sometimes use and they figure out the valve easily. Not a pimply faced kid though...I wouldn't trust my worst enemy's car at a chain oil change shop.

 

Or he can put on a fucking jacket. Oil change takes like 30 minutes. I changed mine in freezing rain in January.

I don't like the valve because I'm afriad it will leak. And honestly, how hard is it to undo a bolt? To me the valve fixes a non-existant problem.

 

Some people like ease of use. No tools needed and no messy hands.

 

Exactly.... even if you drive a lot of miles, you can always stretch it a bit with synthetic. I always change my oil nov 1 and may 1.

 

a $10,000 fine, min, from the EPA is what that will get you.

 

Dude you are a real man!!!!! Got forbid a man should own a 14mm wrench.

 

Yeah buddy!!!! Tell it like it is..... *fist bump*

 

With this valve, it takes about 5 minutes of active time in the cold. You can drain your oil directly into a gallon jug for recycling (rather than a messy pan). If you're worried about it opening, which mine hasn't in 10 years, just put a small clamp or ring on it and it's safe.