Which oil drain plug?

[PLevesque]

I need to install a new oil drain plug to control the flow when I change the oil. The stock plug seems to let all the oil out at one time... messy. Genos has two drain plug/valves available that would seem to do the job. One is the "Easy Change" and the other is the "Finger Touch". For those of you that have installed these, are you happy with it?

 

[Glorfindel]

I have the EZ Change drain plug in my truck. I've only changed the oil once since installing the plug. It certainly lives up to it's name, it's pretty easy to use. It does slow down the drain to a more manageable rate, and if I could get organized enough I could probably drain directly into used oil containers w/o a drain pan. It requires the EZ Change Tube in addition, which makes it pretty expensive. My only complaint, and it's minor, when you're done changing your oil you now have an oily EZ Change Tube to clean up and take care of.

 

[JimB1]

Fast flood warm oil out of engine oil pan gives cleanest empty engine oil pan.



Least mess method, use a round 4-5 gal catch pan with pour spout.



Least mess method to remove OEM engine pan plug. After plug is wrench loose, by hand loosen plug while pressing up just a bit, as last 2 threads come around it won't start spewing/leaking oil.



Continue un-screwing plug, while lightly pressing upward until you've completely gone past last thread engagement.



You'll hear/feel small click as last thread of plug & pan drop off past each other. Practice with any nut & bolt as to what that feels/sounds like.



Now, with plug threads completely disengaged from pan and no leaking spewing of oil 'cuz you're still lightly pushing up on plug, crisply remove plug by slightly tipping bottom of plug towards you as you draw plug towards you which produces initial oil escape to be on far side of plug and away from you.



At most a few drips of oil on one hand plus now you've got a nice fast flooding/cleaning emptying engine oil pan going on.



Pre-fill new oil filter before installing so as to produce quickest pressurized engine oil ciruit.



For a learning experience, if you care to see for yourself the effect of sooted/carbon loaded diesel oil, let your drainpan of oil sit overnight.



Then carefully dip off the top 2 gallons, noting aparrent thickness of first dip off the top, then note how sludgy last few dips are at bottom.



That's why you should make every attempt to fast flood warm oil out of your engine oil pan when performing oil changes.

 

[Regcabguy]

I'm using the Fumoto "finger touch". It works great and enables me to capture a halfway oil sample for analysis. Quality product.

 

[PatrickMarshall]

I'll second the Fumoto oil drain. Done about 5 oil changes, no leaks, no drips.

 

[GOTSOOT]

by using these "quic change" plugs,they protrude up to far to drain ALL the oil out. plan ahead and drain the night before and let it drip all night!I beleive that you you would be amazed at the amount of oil that remains after a so called quick change vs a O/N drain. you are changing it to get the old out, why leave some of the old if you can get "Allmost 'all of it out. I`m done1

 

[Regcabguy]

My friend who recommended these plugs did a test. After draining the pan until there was zero fluid he undid the Fumoto. He did indeed find that perhaps a tablespoon of oil did indeed remain in the pan. I don't know what one tablespoon to 12 qts. amounts to mathematically but it's not a issue to me. Regular oil changes,quality oil and filtration seem to be paramount to me. Go with what lets you sleep at night I suppose.

 

[Jefff929]

The "finger touch" works well for me. I'm able to aim used oil containers under it and quickly dump the warm oil into them, ready for recycle as is.

 

[Troubleshooter]

I've been using the "EZ Change" for the past two years and as stated above, it allows me to empty directly into a container w/o messing with a drain pan.



I solved the oily hose issue by making a storage tube out of a piece of scrap PVC pipe, with an end-cap glued to one end and a threaded fitting / end cap glued to the other end. After the oil change, I just stick the tube in the PVC pipe, screw on the end cap, and put it back into the truck for next time.

 

[Bob4x4]

With a 4x4 the fumoto is the easist way to go and it is tucked up high enough to be safe. Don't worry about the little bit that won't drain. I Had to drop my pan on the 94 last year for an oil leak and everything inside was spotless even with the fumoto on there for years. The 94 has enough added fueling to make a few lbs of torque and using normal(no fancy synthetics)the insides still look pristene



Bob

 

[PLevesque]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys. One more question for the "Finger Touch" users: is there any danger of anything snagging the lever accidently when off road?

 

[Jefff929]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys. One more question for the "Finger Touch" users: is there any danger of anything snagging the lever accidently when off road?

Initially I was worried about that, it hasn't happened to my truck yet. I don't go off road that often though. As someone said even though these stick down quite a ways on a 4x4 they are still pretty high up.

EDIT: I think if I were to do extreme off road I'd have more concern.

 

[Regcabguy]

Mo' on the finger touch.

Thanks for all the great feedback guys. One more question for the "Finger Touch" users: is there any danger of anything snagging the lever accidently when off road?

I ordered the side outlet model and use a small hose clamp on the lever. The way it comes,it'd take an act of God to move it inadvertently. I just assisted God and clamped it.

 

[raksasa]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys. One more question for the "Finger Touch" users: is there any danger of anything snagging the lever accidently when off road?

It's a two step process to open the valve so that would be unlikely. That said, the unsinkable Titanic sunk. I don't do anything extra on my Finger Touch, but a wire tie would secure it quite well if you are concerned.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have been off roading my fumoto for years with no problems yet. The pan on the 4x4s are tucked way up. it would have to something very unique to miss the front diff and immediatly pop up to hit the pan.



Bob

 

[Austin Diesel]

the ez change valve has been great, it is the low profile model from genos on my 2 wheel drive, front end clearance is minimal and i worried the fumoto valve would be to low, but the waterfall effect from the stock plug unleashing a torrent of hot oil onto my arm, drain pan, and my driveway is not missed at all

 

[Shelby Griggs]

I have had the Fumoto on my 2001 since new, 215K miles and counting, never a problem, never leaks. It could be knocked off I guess, or opened by something, BUT it would be hard AND I suspect there would other carnage too if you hit something that hard while off road.



SHG