Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil Drain Plug and dually Vale Stem Extensions

[Dave M]

My 97 oil drain plug is leaking pretty bad. I hope the oil pan threads are OK. Anyone use the one finger oil drain plugs that you don't have to remove the plug to drain oil and how are they holding up?



Also I need valve stem extensions for my dually. Anyone using them?



Thanks,

Dave

 

[Gene Arnold]

I've had the one-finger drain since 2001. I love it! Mine is holding up well.



Gene

 

[Grizzly]

I don't use the valve stem extenders anymore on my dually. I had one break off years ago and never used them again. I use two double head trucker long stem chucks. One to check air pressure and the other to add air. Has worked great for me for some ten years.

 

[GaryOwen]

I used the EZ Change oil drain on my 03 (the brass one) and it held up to at least 40 oil changes and was still working well when I sold the truck. It made oil sampling a breeze also. It also has a lower profile than the one finger drain. Drawbacks were it cost more than the one finger drain plug and you have to keep up with the drain hose. Overall I was happy with the EZ Change. Been thinking of getting one for my 95.

 

[Dave M]

I don't use the valve stem extenders anymore on my dually. I had one break off years ago and never used them again. I use two double head trucker long stem chucks. One to check air pressure and the other to add air. Has worked great for me for some ten years.

I have a double side long stem air hose chuck but it can be difficult getting into the inner wheel with the hub caps in the way.

 

[Grizzly]

Dave, you have to work at it. I use a small flashlight to see it. You'll get use to it soon.

 

[GAmes]

I have this one. 'FINGER TOUCH' OIL DRAIN VALVE - 22MM ('94-'01 DODGE)-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage It has worked flawlessly for somewhere around 100 oil changes. The trick to this plug is to drill the threads so that all the oil will drain from the pan, because unBOMBed about a quart will not drain. Remove the stock plug. Wait for the oil to drain, then find the holes in the threaded nut that is inside the pan. There are four of them and they allow the oil to completely drain. Mark the bottom of the pan where the holes are located and install the new plug, torquing it to spec. Mark the new plug with the location of the holes and remove it. Cross drill the threads to correspond to the holes and install the new plug agian. You will never need to remove a drain plug again.



I use valve extensions too. Which ones you like are not as important as replacing the rubber stems with metal stems. Rubber ones flex with an extension attached and fail while going down the road.