Fram Sure Drain??

[red's tundra]

Has anyone tried this? it looks like a pretty good idea to make oil changes less messy. Scroll down til you see it.
http://www.fram.com/home/index.html

[tundrawes]

This looks like a pretty good idea I wonder what the downside of this is? Here are a few links I found explaining it a little better...

http://www.aapexshow.com/index1.php?page=fastaction

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...25/037754.html

I also found it for sale on a couple sites and it was going for about 15 bucks! Now if they could find an easy way to get the oil filter off that would be great!!!

What does every one think about this?

Wes

[KLS]

Doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the idea, but I'd rather have a magnet there (and I do).
http://www.avlube.com/automotive.htm

Ken

[Dave Smith]

According to the Fram site this item is apparently not available for the Tundra V8? Just a blank in the parts book....

-Dave

[red's tundra]

Originally posted by Dave Smith
According to the Fram site this item is apparently not available for the Tundra V8? Just a blank in the parts book....

-Dave

Hmmm...you would think they would have one for us. Is it possible that the Tacoma drain plug is the same as ours?

[Dave Smith]

I thought about that too. From KLS' post I went to the Avlube site to see if I could find a fit list for the magnetic plug. It says "Toyota Sequoia, Tundra, 4Runner V6 Highlander, V8 Landcruiser" which would imply they all take the same plug.

So I looked on the Fram site for a SureDrain for all these models. Zippo for the 4Runner, Land Cruiser, & Sequoia SR5. That's all I checked but the pattern seems clear - they just don't like us Toy people!

Maybe if we all write a letter...

-Dave

[RagerXS]

Gentlemen,

I got this information from Jim Baroud, who is also on TS but I don't know his username...

Anyway, what you want is better than the Fram thing and is called a Fumoto Valve. Check out their website: http://www.fumotovalve.com/

Jim tells me he is very happy with his, knowing he'll never have to worry about stripping the threads and walking to the auto parts
store... He says the part number is F-103 and with shipping it cost approximately $23.00. The F-103N has a nipple so you can attach a hose and direct the flow for an additional $3.

Personally, I've added the bypass filtration setup to my Tundra and will extend the drain interval indefinitely so I am not sure I will benefit from this. But I race my Miata and change it's oil more often so I'll probably get one for it...

(no affiliation with Fumoto, just passing along good information)

~ Fred

[CJ]

Originally posted by RagerXS
Gentlemen,[SNIP]Anyway, what you want is better than the Fram thing and is called a Fumoto Valve. Check out their website: http://www.fumotovalve.com/[SNIP]~ Fred

I fail to see how it's better.

I see that it does not have a screw-on cover to prevent from accidental draining and blockage.

I see that ground cover could lift and turn the spout.

I see that it doesn't have the capablity to connect to a hose.

I think Red hit on something here. I like the Fram thing.

CJ

[RagerXS]

Originally posted by CJ


I fail to see how it's better.
I see that it does not have a screw-on cover to prevent from accidental draining and blockage.
I see that ground cover could lift and turn the spout.
I see that it doesn't have the capablity to connect to a hose.
I think Red hit on something here. I like the Fram thing.
CJ

In all fairness, 'better' is my opinion. Everyone will have their individual preference.

FWIW, I prefer a ball valve approach that will securely stop flow when closed and will provide an open, clear path for drainage when open. I don't particularly like the 'plunger' idea of the Fram where it is actuated as you screw on the hose. Seems to me that it is similar to a tire valve stem and could trap some sediment that may keep it from sealing shut properly. Just a thought...

I doubt seriously that it could become dislodged. I personally crawled under Jim's Tundra and inspected it myself. It requires two distinct maneuvers of the lever to disengage the lock and open the valve.

And if you would have read my post it comes with or without a nipple for connecting a hose.

I truly don't want to argue about which is the better design. To each his own. But from previous posts the Fram is not available yet for the Tundra. If you prefer it, wait for it and I'm sure it will be available sometime. But Fumoto Valve has one available now.

I sure wish Jim would chime in here and tell us about it first-hand...

~ Fred

[CJ]

Originally posted by RagerXS


In all fairness, 'better' is my opinion. Everyone will have their individual preference.

FWIW, I prefer a ball valve approach that will securely stop flow when closed and will provide an open, clear path for drainage when open. I don't particularly like the 'plunger' idea of the Fram where it is actuated as you screw on the hose. Seems to me that it is similar to a tire valve stem and could trap some sediment that may keep it from sealing shut properly. Just a thought...

I doubt seriously that it could become dislodged. I personally crawled under Jim's Tundra and inspected it myself. It requires two distinct maneuvers of the lever to disengage the lock and open the valve.

And if you would have read my post it comes with or without a nipple for connecting a hose.

I truly don't want to argue about which is the better design. To each his own. But from previous posts the Fram is not available yet for the Tundra. If you prefer it, wait for it and I'm sure it will be available sometime. But Fumoto Valve has one available now.

I sure wish Jim would chime in here and tell us about it first-hand...

~ Fred

Thanks Fred, I read your post.

As you'll recall from reading on the web site you referred us to, you remember reading where they wrote "Drive carefully at all times, and if you run over any foreign object on the road, pull over and check the valve for any damage or leak." and "N-Series valve(with Nipple to accept hose) is not recommended for passenger cars with low ground clearance."

Being that many of these trucks might end up having their underside brush against brush, rocks, sticks, etc., this setup would perhaps not be better - much less an option.

Please don't take my post personally as I feel you have from your comment "And if you would have read my post it comes with or without a nipple for connecting a hose" as I was just pointing out what I saw to be minuses in the design of the product..

CJ

[RagerXS]

Originally posted by CJ
As you'll recall from reading on the web site you referred us to, you remember reading where they wrote "Drive carefully at all times, and if you run over any foreign object on the road, pull over and check the valve for any damage or leak." and "N-Series valve(with Nipple to accept hose) is not recommended for passenger cars with low ground clearance."

Being that many of these trucks might end up having their underside brush against brush, rocks, sticks, etc., this setup would perhaps not be better - much less an option.

CJ

CJ, I missed that information on the website. Probably overly cautious, but you never know... Good catch -- that's what forums like this are for, right?

FWIW, I think that the Fumoto could benefit from the addition of a cap like the Fram design uses.

~ Fred

[devauxb]

Hey guys, FWIW, I installed a Fumoto 103N valve on my Tundra about a year ago. Had one on my old Subaru for years before then.

I have to admit to not doing a lot of off-road driving, but just looking at the way the plug (even with 'nipple') presents itself, it is well tucked up and I feel well protected from hazards.

I REALLY like the way it works, very convenient, never ever had one drip on this or the one on the Subaru. In addition to the no tools required method of oil change, that drain tube is handy since I change the oil in the driveway and the oil has a pretty long way to drop to the oil pan. Before the hook up, wind would occasionally catch the oil draining out of the truck and make a bit of a mess. With the tube, no problem, no splashing.

Bottom line, I would install one of these again in a heart beat!

Cheers,
Bruno

[Dave Smith]

Hey thanks Bruno! Always good to get a "real life" perspective on something.

Questions: How much coverage do the skid plates give this valve? Since I'll still waiting (impatiently) for my new Tundra to show up from the factory I'm afraid I just can't go look!

And regarding the nipple - do you have any problems with it clogging up with gunk? Someone posed a good question about the lack of a protective cap.

TIA, Dave

[devauxb]

I'd say that the end of the nipple is about 1 1/2 inches above the skid plate (but behind it of course, like the regular plug). That's way above the cross member. I just took a blurry picture of it (sorry). Its tough to tell the angle but I had the camera on the ground pointing 'up'. You can just see the brass showing about the left-center of the picture (next to that R85 tag).

Haven't had any clogging problems through almost 2 winters, some off road sand adventures, ... If a concern, it'd be easey enough to slip something over that end (like a small piece of plastic tubing) Just haven't found it to be a problem.

[TIGERTUNDRA]

I bought one of the the Fram drain plugs for my Acura Integra, I'll see how it works at the next oil change... Let y'all know about the install etc...