Installed this valve the very first time I changed my oil. It makes it so easy. And when I buy new oil filters the guys at the auto shop give me wild looks when I tell them I don't need the crush washer. :D
Hopefully yours doesn't leak... Woke up one morning to oil all over my garage, the valve was closed but I guess it failed. Replaced it with the traditional bolt and washer, never had a problem since. Just get one of those magnetic oil change tools to take the drain bolt off.
Yeah, mine started leaking after I hit it with something on the road, unfortunate placement of the drain bolt on my civic. Idea is cool I agree, but it introduces more ways for a fail.
22k miles so far... knocks on wood
If you're reading this and are on the fence of purchasing one, don't. They are prone to mechanical failures and leaks, even with the most expensive ones. There's a reason most manufacturers dont include them; even the bleeding-edge exotic supercar and Formula one engineers don't use them.
I've never used a crush washer in my life. Are they really necessary? I've never had an issue with leaky oil?
It's not like all your oil will drain out if you don't use them, but they help seal between the pan and the plug, helps stop you from over tightening the drain bolt, and makes it a little easier to get the bolt back off for the next oil change.
I always use a torque wrench when tightening, so there is no issue with over tightening.
Removing the oil pan nut has never really been an issue, likely due to the above statement.
i have changed oil in vehicles probably 30 times at this point. last year for some dumbass reason i decided to start using a torque wrench to tighten.
looking at the specs for my foreign, i did not look at the correct column on the page for ft/lbs or Nm… did not double check… and ended up fucking stripping the bolt threads on the oil pan!!!!!!!!
had a hell of a time removing the bolt, but there were enough good threads that i could drill out what i cross threaded and still attach the bolt… i did not have to have an oil pan replacement… and no drips or leaks… i count myself extremely, extremely stupid and lucky.
Ooof. That hurts.
If it makes you feel any better, one time I accidentally drained my transmission fluid because I took off the wrong plug! That was a rather costly mistake as you can't simply add transmission fluid to fix it. You have to flush and bleed the lines, and I did not have all the right equipment. Had to have my car towed from my driveway to the shop! Oops.
I've never even heard of them. I think it's safe to assume that they aren't necessary. I don't even know anyone who has gotten a leak from their drain plug.
That's what they say... but I'm no auto engineer. They throw them in for free with the filter at the dealership parts store.
With the filter? And why the hell are you buying Stealership filters? Go to your local AutoZone and buy the cheap Blue STP filters and save money lol.
Signed your friendly neighborhood Service Writer
Wow this seems really cool! No idea these existed.
Pretty cheap and screws right on to the oil pan. All metal except for the hose and attachment that comes in the kit.
No fkn way I'd stick a valve on a drain plug.
Seriously how much "time" are you saving?
While it is true that bonked drain plug/pan isn't common, it's not that rare, and the consequences of losing all your oil, driving st speed, is massively significant. Running without oil pressure under load is usually IMMEDIATELY DESTRUCTIVE.
For that tiny convenience, you're willing to chance that? Lol not me.
Cars have had flat plugs for close to 100 years. Valves have been around for a millennium. There's a reason cars don't come with valves.
You may get to discover they reason for yourself.
Y'all are about to scare me straight!
To answer your question, it's less about time savings and more about cutting out the mess. When 0w20 oil hits the pan that stuff splatters everywhere.
A Fluid extractor if your filter is on top is nice
I had one, still have it in my bag and it's been terrific. The tubing and valve combo eliminated splash, spill, shoving my hand up there, etc.
The bad news is that it was just a smidge too low and I tweaked it off-road - I do have a skid plate but the bottom was pretty much in-line with the top of the plate so too close.
One oil pan later, I'm back with the bolt but only by necessity. I think I'll put a valve on my SO's cousin's Honda. The drain hole is horizontal on that one.
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