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Fumoto Valve Fram sure drain etc

F

frule

Charter Member
SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2002
Messages
171
Location
Knoxville,TN
Has anyone used a Fumoto valve for oil changes?It's a replacement for the drainplug that allows you to flip a lever to drain the hot oil.Fram has a version at W-mart,but it won't fit the Av.The Fumoto looks to be very well made.

If you have changed the oil,you know how the initial stream is like a geyser erupting.With this device,there's no hot drainplug to try to catch.It makes sampling for oil analysis simple.They're also available with a nipple that you can slide a piece of hose over.I think I'll get one: at www.fumotovalve.com for info.
 
aVOLanche said:
Has anyone used a Fumoto valve for oil changes?It's a replacement for the drainplug that allows you to flip a lever to drain the hot oil.Fram has a version at W-mart,but it won't fit the Av.The Fumoto looks to be very well made.
If you have changed the oil,you know how the initial stream is like a geyser erupting.With this device,there's no hot drainplug to try to catch.It makes sampling for oil analysis simple.They're also available with a nipple that you can slide a piece of hose over.I think I'll get one: at www.fumotovalve.com for info.
Click to expand...
Fred, Thanks for the info on this potentially valuable addition !!!

I'm going to order one, and I need the nipple and the hose because of the skid plate on my Z71.... :)

This looks to be a no-brainer-must-have-one-today !!!
Laterz........
 
Now we need a similar gadget to make changing the filter a less painful procedure.

It was the quantity of oil trapped above the filter that ended up on top of my skid plate resulting in a mess and more work than I had planned
 
wrchism said:
Now we need a similar gadget to make changing the filter a less painful procedure.
It was the quantity of oil trapped above the filter that ended up on top of my skid plate resulting in a mess and more work than I had planned
Click to expand...
How much oil spilled out when you took off the filter?

I ask because I will be using AMSOIL synthetic, so I will be changing the FILTER at times when I WILL NOT BE CHANGING the oil...

What kind of oil loss can I expect from this?
Thanks........
 
you can expect a mess (to the man who plans on removing his oil filter without draining the oil first). And you reason for changing a filter (meaning you feel that it has done it's oil cleaning job) without changing the dirty oil too is what?

The mess on other parts caused by the oil which invariably spills out from the oil filter when you remove it during a normal (normal = draining the oil first) oil change is typical, the only solutions involve jaming old towels just underneath the filter and of course, becoming the fastest oil filter spinner / remover in the west. she only spills when not upright. but this ain't news for any shade tree mechanic
 
jackalanche said:
you can expect a mess (to the man who plans on removing his oil filter without draining the oil first). And you reason for changing a filter (meaning you feel that it has done it's oil cleaning job) without changing the dirty oil too is what?
The mess on other parts caused by the oil which invariably spills out from the oil filter when you remove it during a normal (normal = draining the oil first) oil change is typical, the only solutions involve jaming old towels just underneath the filter and of course, becoming the fastest oil filter spinner / remover in the west. she only spills when not upright. but this ain't news for any shade tree mechanic
Click to expand...
Well, ACTUALLY, the extent of lost oil and mess at filter change location depends on the engine and the angle of the filter. ;D I was asking because I have not yet looked at the AV filter position.

Many cars and trucks these days have the filter angled DOWN or at least LEVEL so that you CAN change it without changing the oil.

And the reason you change the filter and NOT the oil is that you are using AMSOIL synthetic (or another brand) long-drain-interval oil.

You can go 10K-12K between oil changes, but filter changes occur 5K-6K. So there will be a lot more filter changes over the life of the engine than there will be oil changes.

Thanks for the info about the mess....I guess I'll have to find out the extent of the problem the first time I do it...... ;D

Laterz.........
 
Lars,a couple of suggestions for changing the filter:(1)Loosen filter slightly and punch a drain hole in the bottom with a sharp tool to allow xs oil to drain.(2)Take a piece of card board,fold into a "V"-shaped "funnel" to run the oil down away from the skid-plate(cover with aluminum foil for extra protection)- when you spin it off.This helps if there is oil pooled above the filter.
 
cool beans, whatever makes y'all happy out there - but in my book, if you be changing the filter and have the freakin hood up anyway, spend a few more bux and a couple more minutes and change out the oil too - I change oil at 3,000 intervals religiously in every one of my vehicles, yes I use (and pay more for) synthetic oil, and never ever had a problem with a lubricated engine mechanical part - 12 cars, three motorcylces, none of them pampered in how I use them. Just how I care for them.

as for the oil filter mess, only if you are so lucky to own a vehicle where the filter attaches at a near vertical, and updised down angle will you not have to deal with a little spillage. At least in my experience, but maybe I have been doing it wrong.
 
The Av filter is vertical, and Yes, I did drain the oil first. But, the Av seems to retain a bit more oil above the filter than other vehicles with vertical filters that I have changed. And, the filter is partially over the skid plate on the Z71, which adds to the excitement!

Next time . . . I'll try either the aluminum foil trick to guide the errant oil into the drain pan, or punch a hole in the bottom of the filter to drain it before removing.

The Av's certainly not the worst setup out there. I really don't like horizontally mounted difficult to access filters - such as on my 2.8L S-10 Blazer and several 4-bangers that I have had the pleasure of working on!
 
wrchism,I think you are right that the filter seems to retain a bit of oil above itself.And if the anti-drainback valve is working properly,there should be some oil above it.

I like the vertical position for 3 reasons(1)It stays full of oil for start-up,(2)you can fill a new filter with oil and(3)the oil stays in the filter when you spin it off.But I wonder why it even has an anti-drainback valve since it is in an inverted,and vertical position??

jackalanche,I think 3,000 changes with synthetic is pure overkill.I'll give you one thing though,no one can say you don't get good protection that way.I'm not ready for 12-15K intervals with synths,either.I'll probably use the new "SL" oils(which are synth/dino blends) and go by the oil indicator in the truck.
 
Have changed my oil twice so far what i do is i have a thin piece of alum about 24in. long and 8in wide put it under the oil pan and into the drain pan as to the filter i use the same piece of alum. and wack a nice 1/4 inch hole in the filted it works great not much mess
 
Well, I bit the bullet today and ordered the Fumoto valve.

My first "do it myself" oil change will be at the end of this month, right before the wife takes the AV on a 2,000 mile jaunt to Texas the first weekend in May.

I'll take all the tips so far and let 'er rip....... ;D
Laterz..........
 
???I definetly like the idea, but am wondering how much oil will stay in the engine since you will have about 3/8" of the threads that will be above the oil level engine and that oil will not drain, also i will loose the magnetic tip on the oil drain plug that i check each oil change for anything that might show signs of wear
my 2 cents, but have not ruled out. i like the idea, just thinking hard before changing
zeeya
 
Good points.I thought about losing the magnet,but I think that stuff will end up in the oil filter.The pieces are too large to cause wear(it's the smaller particles that can get between moving parts).

AFA the oil left behind,it would be minimal and you're never gonna get it all out.The stuff clinging to all the internal parts is just as "dirty" as the stuff in the pan.It's the oil's job to keep the junk in suspension.So reasonable oil change intervals should eliminate any problems.If one wanted to get every last drop,with or without the Fumoto,it can't be done.A small,inexpensive suction pump like is used to drain diffs might help a little to get the stuff from the bottom of the oilpan.I'm just not that worried about every last drop.

I feel like making it a much cleaner,easier job to do is more important(I'm likely to change oil more frequently that way).
;D ;D
 
first zee.... you own a Avalanche you have to change....lol

okay I have seen the one with the hose you put on and it drians. that is cool.

this one seem like a nice one.. I too will look into this.

I am one of those guys that takes the truck to the dealer and have them do it,..
I like the way they tell me to have a nice day and that I have a cool truck..( I am a show off..)

pete
 
Well I have a question, has anyone changed their own oil yet? If not watch out when you do!! The oil plug is located on a sideward location instead of the bottom of the pan, so when you take the plug out the oil likes to go about three feet out of the pan!!! :8: Sure caught me off guard!! I just hope that the nieghbors do not call the EPA on me for the oil slick that was left on the driveway! So the question is does anybody know or have installed the Fram sure drain system for the 5.3L?? If so what model did you use!
 
I just saw the Fram drain system at Pep Boys a few days ago I think I am going to switch also. I don't recall what the product number was but they are labeled by mfg. Chevrolet trucks all took the same model (I think). My targeting oil pan was ok. I have more trouble with the filter on the 2500.
 
Changed my oil for the first time two weeks ago, what a mess :D:!! Missed the oil drain pan, more oil out of the filter after removal. Put on the Fram unit, think the last number was a 4. Something like SV-4 but I am at work now and don't remeber exactly. I will look at home tonight and let you know for sure. System looks good and I look forward to a lot less mess in my driveway next oil change.
 
Sounds like something I have on my boat, if it is, never thought of putting one on my AV. Great idea.

Drill a small hole in bottom of oil filter first, allow to drain, much cleaner.

 
I went to the Fram home page this morning and tried to look up the number for the 5.3L and there was nothing under the Avlanche section. So I am very interested to have the number so I get get one for the next oil change! :eek:
 
This problem was discussed a few months ago. Then the fix everyone seemed to mention was the Fumoto Valve. I believe several people bought these.
 

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I bought one on my last oil change. The bad part is I thought they were all the same. The one I got was the wrong one. Went back and looked it up. Fram did not list the Av so I went with the suburban one. I think it was SD-4. I have my next oil change coming up and I will be putting it on. The bad thing is I won't know how it works till the next oil change.
 
When I go to the fram site and look for it even under the Silveradoe and Surban and look at the 5.3l It doe snot have one listed! I will be very interested in knowing which one actually works!!

Sasquatch
 
Checked my packaging and the unit I used is a SD-4. Have it on now, so far no runs or drips but haven't changed my oil since installing it.

Seems like connecting to this site is getting slower and slower. Sure wish Al Gore would have done a better job of designing the internet ???.

I sure do enjoy this site and the amount of information being shared. Keep up the great work (y) (y) guys!!!!
 
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