Which oilpan drain plug to get?

[John]

Scott, I purchased my Femco/EZ Drain, drain plug and tube from Geno's Garage as soon as they were released for sale. With all that's available on the market now I'd still purchase the same drain plug. I've been extremely happy with it.

The new Heavy Duty drain plug from Geno's Garage is really well made! It's definitely worth the price. This is the drain plug Cummins should have supplied as OE.

BIG BOB, I purchased two EZ drain tubes, one I use at home (kept in the garage) the other I leave in my Ram. After draining the oil from the engine I place the drain tube on end to let drain. Afterwards, I clean it out with a rolled up paper towel then I roll the drain tube up in a mechanics paper towel and place it in the bottom of a large zip lock freezer bag (just fits) and roll it up for storage. Nice and neat.

Mad Max, I installed my Femco/EZ Drain, drain plug with a little Loctite 242 Thread Locker on the threads and a little Loctite 515 Gasket Eliminator to both sides of the brass (or was it copper) washer during installation. ABSOLUTELY NO leaks or weeps. Femco makes these drain plugs for every HEAVY DUTY Diesel engine on the market.

What I like best about the EZ Drain system is there is NO WAY you can get oil on your hands while draining the oil. #ad
I'm just getting too old for that crap. #ad


[This message has been edited by John (edited 01-11-2001). ]

 

[sdalton]

I ordered the Superplug the other day. My main concern with the fingertouch systems were that they hung down too low. In houston there are always 18 wheeler treads, and blown Firestone tires all over the place. I am always hitting these things head on when there isny any other choice. Once I tried missing one at the last second, and my right front tire caught the object. The tire kicked the retread up into the side of my 94 Lightning and put a good sized dent on the side of the truck. I would hate to see what would have happened to that fingertouch plug.

 

[Wiredawg]

Yo Big Bob and Big Daddy:

Great ideas guys! I've got another 600 miles before my next oil change, so that'll give me time to drill the side drain holes and the holes for the safety wire on my finger touch. Hoowaa!

I love this place with all neat pointers #ad


Wiredawg

ps: I bought vinal (can't spell) tubing to extend my fuel filter drain down where it oughta be next oil change.

[This message has been edited by Wiredawg (edited 01-11-2001). ]

 

[Andy Morrison]

I like E-Z Drain. NO leaks no drips no weeps. To clean drain tube after oil change I just spray a little starting fluid or brake cleaner through it and its clean, very simple.

 

[BigDaddy]

Sixkill,
The Finger Touch Valve is just that, use your finger (I use my thumb) depress the lever against the spring loaded stop, rotate lever 90 degrees, let go and let it drain, oil flows from the ball valve #ad


Yes, I am a Crewchief and Sr. Instructor for Uncle Igor’s happy home of helicopter repair and manufacturing. I see you are the same, but quite a way’s away. Drop me a line if I can help with anything.

By the way, I am no longer using safety wire. I have upgraded to Safety Cable. ]

Wiredawg,

Thanks for the compliment #ad



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<font color=forestgreen>2000</font> DODGE <font color=forestgreen>RAM</font>, <font color=forestgreen>2500 HD</font>, 4x4 SLT, Reg. Cab, <font color=forestgreen>Forest Green</font>, Agate interior, Cummins ISB, Auto, Shift-on-the-Fly (241HD), 4. 10 Anti-slip Rear, ABS, Trailer Tow Group, Camper Group, Michelin; DC: Fog Lights Kit, Tow Rings, Under rail bedliner, VentVisors, Mud Flaps, & Mats.
<font color=forestgreen>After-market</font>: K40, Viperw/AutoStart, Clarion 6 Disk CD w/remote, UnidenCB w/Francis antenna, Draw-Tite Activator II, Alpex 255TC2C Air Horns, Painless Wiring, HOWES, Liquid Glass #ad

 

[BIG BOB]

John,

On my Finger Touch, I use my thumb to depress the lever and then turn the lever 90 degrees, oils drains straight down into oil drain pan, wait about 15 minutes, use fingers to turn finger touch lever back into locked position, then fill truck with oil! Guess What? No oil on fingers or hands! NO finding the tube, no tube to clean, spray with brake cleaner or starting fluid, no wrapping it in paper towel or putting into plastic bag. Yes, I like simplicity.

 

[John]

BIG BOB, Summit Racing has been been selling the Fumoto (i. e. "Finger Touch") drain plugs for many years. At first I thought they looked like a great idea however, upon further scrutinization I elected not to go this way for two reasons: 1) ground clearance/foreign object considerations and 2) (most important to me) the vandalism factor.

..... just my opinion

 

[Shelby Griggs]

You guys are making me nervous. I have a finger touch here that I was going to install at the first oil change (already overdue, but I haven't forgot about it!). Anyway, I am thinking of returning it to Geno's for something else. I am not too worried about the vandalism, but am concerned about knocking it off on something, especially off road. Has anyone ever heard of a problem off road with one of these? I know if you hit anything hard enough it will break off, but I don't do extreme off roading. I do need to get into remote places sometimes in my work, and frequently have the need to travel on less than improved dirt roads, rarely am I rock crawling or breaking new trail though. I like the idea of the plug, but could be stranded in some remote areas, if I knocked this plug off.

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[Scooby]

I gotta agree with the folks who are concerned about knocking one of those plugs off (or vandalism). I go off-roading - but even if I didn't- the 5 minutes of time I might save every 5000 miles isn't worth the risk of being stranded out in the sticks somewhere! I think I'd lose more than 5 minutes of sleep worrying about it... I'm ordering the superplug.

{Maybe if you changed oil daily, then I could see the practicality}

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'01 2500 SLT+, QC, LWB, 4X4, 3. 54s, AT, SPA guages, Alpha Liner, every option but running lights!

'98 DUCATI ST2 "Bombed" 944CC with Ducati Performance Carbon Fiber Exhaust, F. I. M. Chip, K&N and "modified" air box.

 

[illflem]

With 123k on my 2500 and 62k on my 3500 I've never had any problems with the stock drain plug,a little grease on the sealing washer will keep it from sticking,but I don't even do that. My feeling is why fix something that isn't broke.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[sdalton]

Just got my Superplug in today. It took only 2 days from the order date. That is one strong hunk of a magnet. I haope it works well. I should have it in in another week or two, when I hit 15,000 miles. This is a 100% better design than the factory plug.

 

[Wiredawg]

Surveyor Shelby:

Although this is my first 4X4 Ram, It's my fourth 4X4. I was a pretty aggessive 4-wheeler, but never scraped my oil pan on any of my trucks. It's above the axle and pretty well above obstructions.

Scooby: I don't think you can tell there's a finger touch plug without crawling underneath the truck. I'm more concerned about some punk keying my truck or screwing with my antennas.

Not being argumentative, just keep the conversation going. Plus, of the the trucks I've owned, I dislike removing the oil plug on this one more than any of the others. I slap get nasty with oil. #ad


Wirdawg

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Originally posted by Wiredawg:
Surveyor Shelby:

Although this is my first 4X4 Ram, It's my fourth 4X4. I was a pretty aggessive 4-wheeler, but never scraped my oil pan on any of my trucks. It's above the axle and pretty well above obstructions

Wirdawg

I tend to agree. I have never dented or banged a pan on a 4 X 4 truck in over 20 years of land surveying work, but I do hear a lot of concern here. In fairness I have never had a plug hanging down either. It is out in the glove box, still deciding whether to keep or return.

Shelby



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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[A. G. Gilchrist]

Pesonally I prefer the EZ drain with the tube. I like to drain my pan for at least 30 minutes, and since I do this in my driveway, the tube keeps the slow dripping oil from blowing all over the place on a windy day. The tube is easy to clean with brake cleaner and is stored in a ziplock bag in my bed mounted tool box.

 

[Big Wheel]

I just ordered my supper plug today hope it works I like the idea of a msgnet in it

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DODGE Y2k 3500 4X4
Dark Garnet Red,SLT PLUS, loaded ,6 speed ,4. 10 rear end,leather heated power seats,power everything,C. D. player,trailer towing package,texas ranger C. B. radio,camper package,
line-x spray in bedliner,nerf bars, smoothy cup holder,step shields,billet aluminum dress up,12 volt heated electric stainless steel cup.
Not B. O. M. B. yet

 

[John]

Shelby, I didn't mean to scare you or anyone else... I just wanted to inform others of why I made the choice I did (Femco/EZ Drain as sold through Geno's Garage). Pointing out some of my observations/possible scenarios, however remote was my only intent. All three of the aftermarket drain plugs are vastly superior to its OE counterpart.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Originally posted by John:
Shelby, I didn't mean to scare you or anyone else... I just wanted to inform others of why I made the choice I did (Femco/EZ Drain as sold through Geno's Garage). Pointing out some of my observations/possible scenarios, however remote was my only intent. All three of the aftermarket drain plugs are vastly superior to its OE counterpart.

The finger touch went on last night. Did not have time to modify with the cross holes. Next time I drain, I will pull the plug after draining and see how much oil remains. It looks obvious to me that there will be oil left in the pan without the cross holes. Will have to see if there is enough to worry about. It definitely hangs down enough to be of some concern, not from rocks, but sticks and limbs, especially if you are in reverse, no axle to protect you then. The OEM plug is in the glove box, just in case I change my mind.

Does the drain plug with the hose require modification, or will it drain all of the oil as it is made?

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[John]

The EZ Drain, drain plug leaves a very small amount in the pan. I'm not too worried about it though as my Amsoil Dual Bypass system will have removed all harmful contaminents. Besides I probably have a higher percentage of oil drain out of my engine than most Rammers... I always drain the oil just before I go to bed, thus allowing more time for the oil to completely drain.

 

[CAM]

Like some other people,I to have been contemplating of which way to go,EZ Drain plug,Superplug,or Finger Touch. I have decided to go with the Superplug. The others seem to be more convenient,but,I don't like the idea of the Finger Touch hanging down off the oil pan ,just would seem like I would be worrying or thinking about when was off roading,and the EZ Drain hose i know I'd end up misplacing it and can't find it when I'd need it. Everyboby has there own idea's of which way to go, and it's nice to have different products to choose from.

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2001 ETH/DEE - 2500
REG Cab 4x4
Patriot Blue/Silver, Rhino Liner,Egt/Boost

 

[Jeff Burke]

Shelby,

As I stated earlier, I have the finger touch plug. After I had installed it the thread came out about cross drilling, so I pulled it on the next change. There was very little oil left in the pan when I pulled the finger touch. I drilled it and reinstalled. I'll probably never know for sure if the holes make any difference, since I don't have any intention of pulling the plug again. Good luck.