Oil Pan Drain Plug

[Wayne M]

I am getting ready to order an oil filter and fuel filter from Geno's Garage. In looking through his product selection I notice he has several different replacement oil drain plugs he offers. Evidently the stock drain plug may be weak or not optimal. My question is this:



Have any of you switched to the plugs Geno's offers? He offers the following:



A plug which is actually a valve that you turn on to drain and off to stop.



A plug that you do not remove but has a tube that screws into the plug that opens a valve for draining.



A replacement plug that is like the stock only has a thicker collar on it.



Have any of you used any of these plugs? Do I need to be concerned about changing the stock plug as long as I am careful about tourqing the plug to 40lbs?



Thanks in advance for your help!!!



wm

 

[wyosteve]

I have the Geno's type with the tube. Love it. Eliminates most of the mess. I just stick it in an empty gallon oil jug, turn it on until full. Turn it off, fill next jug, etc. That way the oil is ready to take to the recycling depot. Best money I ever spent.

 

[Cooker]

http://www.superplug.com



I think it is a great product. The magnet is so stong it is hard to thread into the hole without it contacting the pan.

 

[Archive]

I use the Heavy Duty plug from Genos... got it last christmas from Santa. Smart man, that Santa!

 

[radixr]

Drain Valve

I'm using the drain valve. It's a real pleasure being able to slip under the truck with only the oil sample bottle in my hand! No problems whatsoever.

 

[jackrea]

I also have been using the Oil Drain Valve, I agree Its nice to be able to open and close the valve while taking a oil sample.



Jack

 

[JHansen]

I've got a Femco on mine (the one that has the tube to screw in for draining) and I love it. We used to have them on the Kenworths in our fleet at my last job. I wouldn't be without mine.



Jason

 

[Max Wedge]

I have the Oil Drain Valve. Put it on the 1st oil change and it has been super. It has the thumb lever. I wouldn't be without it. When you close it, it doesn't leak. I can change my oil in less than 15 minutes. Highly recommended.



The big plus is that it doesn't appear to VOID the factory drive train warrantee



Max

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have the heavy duty plug from Geno's too, works great. As for the valve type plugs, they work fine but you are NOT supposed to take oil samples from the bottom of your oil pan. You will get innaccurate readings due to heavy material settling in the pan. You should be using a sampling valve or a dipstick pump. Otherwise you are wasting your money on doing oil sampling since the results you get back are not accurate.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

EMD, Remember that tube connector type I showed ya from GENO's ... . I t allows me to take a sample NOT ONLY when the oil is hot ... . but while the motor's running so there is no settlement issues concerning false readings. but i like the dipstick thing tho ... . EASIER ON THE EARS

 

[radixr]

EMD, while I think most of us are taking our sample during an oil change, you could also sample in between by draining a minimal amount before taking the sample, especially while the engine is running.

 

[Wayne M]

Thanks for all the great replies. The only question at this point I have is on the valve type plug.



Is there anyway something could hit the thumb valve and open the valve causing you to lose all your oil at a most terrible time?



wm

 

[Mick2500]

Wayne,

You can always do what I did to my Fumoto valve,

I drilled a small safety wire sized hole in the lever and I safety wire it in the closed position.



Mick

 

[chuck3]

Oil Drain

Wayne, I have the drain valve allso. As for your question, i guess anythings possible, but i can not see how it would open by something hitting it,as you have to push it out and turn it. The handle sits in a notched area. Hope this helps.

 

[BIG BOB]

I have the Finger Touch lever plug. I made a couple of modifications because of the design of the oil pan. See the following picture links;





This is the configuration of the bottom of the oil pan;



http://content.communities.msn.com/TheWhiteObsession/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=12



This is the modification I did to the Finger Touch lever plug;



http://content.communities.msn.com/TheWhiteObsession/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=11



This plug work great, drain all oil from pan and does it fast! No more messy oil drains.

 

[Coop]

Excellent idea, drilling the holes. That is why I haven't put one of these on mine yet, I've heard you couldn't get the last 1/2 quart out. I guess I'm just not a mechanic enough to think about it. I think I'll order one with my next batch of filters from Geno's.

 

[Wayne M]

Thanks for all the help!!!



I am leaning toward the drain valve!



wm

 

[John Berger]

I've got the plug with the tube attachment. A very practical add-on. I take samples from the bottom, while the oil is hot and after allowing some to drain first. Seems to be working as my oil analysis numbers have been very good.

 

[DBuchheit]

I have one of the EZ drain plugs (type with tube). It's very convenient.



My only concern is that I think that it may stick up above the bottom of the pan and cause some of the oil to be retained when draining. Has anyone else noticed this? If so, any idea how much oil is retained?