Fumoto oil valve for 2nd gen Tacoma good or bad idea?

That won't keep it from leaking later if it fails and opens on its own

I hear ya, I have one on my truck and it's fine. I trust it completely.

It's just that shops get blamed for shit all the time and engines are expensive. Over time I've had to become stubborn because I'm the one that has to pay the bill if something goes wrong

 

I’m not a Fumoto fan, but having one installed would save a fair amount more than the time to remove the drain plug. It’s pretty hard to deny that it’d be a major upgrade in terms of convenience, not that an oil change is all that difficult.

I haven’t gone to one for 3 reasons:
-concern the valve might fail
-potential for valve to somehow be damaged and leak oil long before I realize it
-oil drains more slowly and less thoroughly

I doubt any of these are legitimate reasons, but it takes a lot for me to change.

 

It was one of the first things I did when I got my 2014. I really miss the simplicity of oil changes on that truck. You really can't go wrong, unless you do lots of rock crawling. I would go for the short nipple version.

I never had a bit of trouble with it. The initial cost is easily made up rather quickly by not having to replace crush washers every time.

I was pretty religious about changing my oil every 5k. So from the time I got the truck in 2016, until I got rid of it in 2024, I went from 16k to 130isk. So I probably changed the oil 40 or more times. The crush washer pack on Amazon was 9$ or so, so I figure I saved over 300$ by not having to buy washers. I think I paid 30 bucks for the fumoto valve. Seems like a deal to me.

 

It takes less than 30 seconds to remove the drain plug. Maybe 3 to 5 seconds to get the Fumoto valve opened. Assuming oil changes every 5k miles and a lifespan of 200k miles, that's 40 oil changes and a total of around 16 minutes saved. Assuming 12k miles per year, that works out to a whole minute in a year. But, the oil drains slower.

You can get a pack of 12 washers for $6 or 100 for under $22 (current prices on Amazon). That's 50 cents or less each, and every dealer I've bought parts from would just give me a handful at no charge. That's a cost of about $20, so significantly less than the valve.

I don't knock anyone that wants to do the Fumoto valve. I just don't buy the argument that is saves time or is cheaper in the long run. if you like it, fine.

 

The fact that it makes the oil change toolless,and no mess on your hands/garage floor is a no brainer to me.

 

I use this

$50 ValvoMax Oil Drain Valve - Quick Twist Oil Drain Plug for DIY Oil Changes At Home in 10 Minutes - No Tools, No Mess, No Cleanup - M12-1.25 Thread Size - Made in USA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077ZGZ39V

 

Having worked as a lube tech, I can say that a stripped out oil pan is way, way more of a pain in the ass than just replacing a damaged or jammed Fumoto valve. Also takes waaaay less time and effort to replace one, vs fix the other.

 

This is a thread composed of DIYers, is there a rash of people doing their own oil changes and stripping the pan? I suspect that there isn’t, and that most of those occurrences happen, no offense, at a quick change joint or dealership. People are much more careful working on their own vehicles, with no time crunch.

 

I use these on all my vehicles. They work great and are very low profile.

 

I have one for the simple reason that oil doesn’t run down my arm and/or splatter on my garage floor.

 

And looks like the only folks that like them, are the ones that paid $35 to replace a $3 part?

To the save the mess crowd, where's your oil filter located?

 

I have a 1GR, so the oil filter is up top with a catch pan and a hose barb. Really easy to connect a hose, run it down to the drivers side wheel well, pop the filter and let it drain into a jug for a bit. Pull the filter, wipe out the pan and pull the hose. Can pull it off without spilling more than a drop or two of oil.

 

My oil filter has a cup that catches overflow and is routed to a hose that runs under the truck by the front left wheel. Uses a shank of a 3/8 bolt and a hose clamp as a plug to stop any dripping. My oil changes no longer require gloves that rip or having oil run all over my hand. I’m not worried about the $35.00. Lord knows I’ve spent more on other frivolous things for the truck.

 

Completely disagree! I've had one on since almost day one (2013) and it's been one of the best thing I've ever done. Having to never clean up oil covered hands/plugs every time you do an oil change, you start to appreciate the little things! For about $60, it's a no brainer...

 

1,000%. I'm not sure why everyone who has never actually used one before, feels the need to post their opinion! I'd be more interested to hear from people who have put one on, and then taken it off and gone back to the regular plug....

 

Welcome to the internet?

 

I am guessing most of "its cleaner" crowd doesn't have an oil filter to drop, so I can see why that is a benefit, but has anyone drained using the valve and then pulled the valve itself to see if all the oil was evacuated? That seems to be the only knock I have read about the drain valve, that it extends into the pan by a bit and over time, residual gunk sits in the sump.

 

Another thing that’s funny is how these naysayers compare a bag of washers with the cost of the fumoto valve.
It’s like they must collect cans for the recycling cash value.

 

Since it takes longer the block drains more completely and the filter as well so that’s no longer an issue. When I spin it off with a cup there’s no spillage at all. Mine’s a stock 5-lug so I use ramps which tilt the pan towards the plug and the way they work they don’t stick into the sump farther than a plug anyway.

 

well yes, they don't stick farther in than the plug, but the plug gets removed for draining.