Oil Change Alert- Public Service Announcement

Well, not actually. I started this thread BECAUSE the valve WAS open. Guess what? Its not the end?

 

Totally Man you have to check your work. I forgot the close the Valve on my Liberty CRD once that had one of these on it. Nothing really bad happened. I still had my drain pan under the engine and started to pour the new oil in. I had about a quart or two in when I heard it draining out the bottom into the drain pan. My fault I was rushing and not paying close enough attention to my work. Good thing is I caught my mistake in time so only some oil got wasted, nothing else.

 

I know I closed the valve but I’m now sure that I didn’t close it properly. Even without the protective clip the valve is very unlikely to open. I must have closed it just short of the lever popping into recess that prevents the valve from turning.

I’m just now realizing those who don’t have a Fumoto is probably unaware of how the valve works. It is not a regular ball valve that you can turn left or right without restriction. Once the valve is closed properly the lever retracts and sits into a recessed pocket that prevents the lever from moving left or right. In order to move the lever one must push the lever forward before you can move it laterally.

 

yep you are 100% correct. it does have that safety bit built in.. I didn't know about the dust cap being a option. When I first got to use one it was a spring clip that you had to put over it with pliers if you wanted extra insurance it couldn't be opened easily. then at some point the plastic clip thing came out that was much easier to work with. I lost the metal spring clip in my stone driveway... I did not like it.

 

The black plastic clip is definitely easier than the spring clip, but I'm positive that spring clip won't come off by itself. Still, I use whichever ships with the valve at the time since both are a good design.

 

What about beer? How cool would that be to look at the can and it opens right up on command.

 

The Fumoto works extremely well and will never open by itself and drain your oil unexpectedly...as long as you are at least 3% smarter than the valve.
Which explains much of the hate exhibited towards it.

 

My brand new Fumoto (never used) is going on the TW Marketplace soon…

No issues, I just never got around to installing it.

 

I remember once ... Because I was no longer there to do the actual work myself ... My ex called me one day to ask where she should get the oil/filter changed on her car. Of course I said 'Oh, just go to Jiffy Lube. They do a great job and you'll be in-n-out of there in no time'..
I never heard back, but after that she never asked for my 'advice' again.
Mission Accomplished.

 

That happened to me one time back in the 1990's. I use the dealership service dept. now but I check my oil before I pull off the lot and when I get home I slide under the truck and wipe the oil off the tech slopped on the under side of my truck. Gives me a chance to see if any oil is leaking out.

 

I'll make the call when I do my first oil change. My next scheduled maintenance at Dealership is 10K miles in Feb 2022.

At/about 15K miles, I'll go on Dover AFB and change the oil at the Auto Hobby shop...see what all the fuss is about.

Ed

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Wow... sounds like they're not fool proof. Thanks for sharing... good information and a great reason not to ever install one of those things.

 

You know, if that plastic cap hadn't been on and you drove the truck there's a good chance you'd be looking at getting a new motor. I've been doing my own oil changes for the last 50 years and I've never had a problem with oem drain plugs... just saying.

 

Dang that's crazy. I've probably been changing my own oil for 15 years and I've ran into all kinds of issues. Random leaks, stripped threads (from previous owners), tons of mess etc.

 

Idiot-proof it: Drill a little hole in the lever and safety wire it closed. Drill the same size hole under the top edge of your funnel. When you cut the safety wire thread it through the hole in the funnel to remind you to close the valve and re-wire it safely closed before filling with oil. My Fumoto is sitting on the workbench, along with my Baxter spin-on adapter. Another ~1500 miles and they will both go on.

 

You seem to like over complicated solutions or maybe a solution to a problem which does not exist. Is this a great country or what. Go get em tiger

 

WOOOOW. Speechless.

 

What spin-on filter will you be using? How do you know its bypass valve pressure is appropriate for the 3.5L?

 

I’m using one of these… Amsoil EA15K51 or NAPA PFL 41393. I’m not concerned about the bypass valve pressure because I think it only comes into play if the filter were to get too clogged and thereby starving the engine of oil. With my oil regimen and frequency I don’t believe that will be a risk. If I have the bypass valve purpose incorrect I’m most certainly receptive to be educated here. Thanks in advance for any help.