Question about Fumoto Oil Valve Orientation

[Matt42]

I installed a Fumoto short oil valve on my 1996 4x4 today. After snugging it down, it ended up oriented so that under odd circumstances, the release lever could snag on vegetation and get released. I occasionally drive in areas where that is possible, and where old fence wire coils are hidden.

I would have been happier if the orientation had been 90 degrees to 180 degrees different in any direction. Has anyone ever adjusted theirs with thicker gaskets? I am thinking of copper gaskets, maybe.

Or am I overthinking this and worried about nothing?

Murphy's Law tells us that whatever can happen will eventually happen, and at the worst possible time.

 

[Ozymandias]

Well, you should have bought another valve the first time if you go wheelin.

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/ez-dp-22mmpl-dg/drain-valves

On these nothing can catch u der any circumstances.

 

[Matt42]

Yah. I like that one better. Live. Learn. Buy a different item.

 

[Ozymandias]

Yah. I like that one better. Live. Learn. Buy a different item.

Definitely a very good product. I use them for decades on all my vehicles.

 

[Matt42]

For the time being, I have ordered a Fumoto lever clip. It looks like this, installed on a different model of Fumoto valve. They are about nine bucks at Amazon, when sales tax is factored in. My wife suggested that I order two and paint them some lurid color. So I ordered two and will probably paint them pink. The spare will be in a bag in the passenger door pocket, along with the spare throttle link that I bought in Missouri 23 years ago. After 40 plus years of married life and travel, she has learned that having a spare thingy with us generally ensures we won't need it.

I looked at the Femco valves when I bought the Fumoto, but I didn't want to have a loose part with a hose to keep track of.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I looked at the Femco valves when I bought the Fumoto, but I didn't want to have a loose part with a hose to keep track of.

Wouldn't be a problem if you carry a spare!

 

[AH64ID]

Well, you should have bought another valve the first time if you go wheelin.

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/ez-dp-22mmpl-dg/drain-valves

On these nothing can catch u der any circumstances.

Much safer product. I know most folks won’t have an issue with a Fumoto, but the results from an inadvertent opening or damage are catastrophic. It’s not worth the risk.

 

[Matt42]

Well, I just ordered the Femco drain. As I was putting the drain and related things onto the order, my daughter walked by and asked what I was doing. "Ordering parts for the truck," I replied. She burst out into laughter, because this is a common scenario.

Next up is an aluminum dashboard.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have on on the 350 in my boat. I personally would never use one on an auto. I "THINK" the threads are higher that the threaded bung so less oil gets drained?

 

[AH64ID]

This data can be crucial for fine-tuning engine parameters.

pretty sure the AI software needs tweaking again….

 

[Jim W]

I have on on the 350 in my boat. I personally would never use one on an auto. I "THINK" the threads are higher that the threaded bung so less oil gets drained?

No, the threads do not extend into the drain pan above the welded boss in the pan. And what little oil that is left in the oil pan really doesn't matter, when you consider that you are adding 3 gallons of oil to the engine. Even when you use a drain plug not all of the oil is drained from the pan. There is always some left behind.

I have used the Fumoto valve on my truck since mid-summer in 2008 with no adverse effects. Oil analysis comes back with no adverse particles or deration of the oil other than being at the end of the oil operating life.

 

[Regcabguy]

I installed a Fumoto short oil valve on my 1996 4x4 today. After snugging it down, it ended up oriented so that under odd circumstances, the release lever could snag on vegetation and get released. I occasionally drive in areas where that is possible, and where old fence wire coils are hidden.

I would have been happier if the orientation had been 90 degrees to 180 degrees different in any direction. Has anyone ever adjusted theirs with thicker gaskets? I am thinking of copper gaskets, maybe.

Or am I overthinking this and worried about nothing?

Murphy's Law tells us that whatever can happen will eventually happen, and at the worst possible time.

Put a small hose clamp on the lever portion of it. I have the horizontal outlet on mine and have never had an issue. I had the same valve on my old 24v. 33 trips to Baja without the hose clamp and nothing. My buddy installs them on every application he has in his workplace. Drill rigs,water trucks down to F-650's.