Fumoto Valve vs. Fram Sure Drain..
 

Anyone using either of these?
Had the Fumoto on the Subaru and it was awesome for oil changes. I'm just concerned about clearance.

I like the hose on the fram but don't know how the build quality compares to the Fumoto.

Fram....
 

Fumotos stick out an inch or so, and on the '8 they need the 'extension'......
more risk than I will take, given the low ground clearances.

The Fram is well made, fits flush, but raises the level of oil that gets left in the pan, a small point, but worth noting.

I wouldn't use either while the dealer is doing the changes, too much hassle, but when I do my own, I will buy the Fram Sure Drain kit. (...and the price is right!)

S

I've got the Fumoto valve. Protrusion does not seem to be an issue -- other parts of the car shield it. I haven't "used" it yet -- installed it with my "break-in" oil change at 1000 miles; haven't gotten to the next change yet. The product has been out for a while and seems to have a good reputation. Not sure how much effort it saves. Mainly I just didn't want to have to mess with crush washers anymore ;)

I use the fram valve on all my cars. The only deciding factor was I could not find the fumoto anywhere locally.
I walked into Partsource (canadian chain) and the frams were staring right at me.
Sold.
Works great. I just reach under the 8, and drain.
No jacking required, no mess, and its one more man thing I got to buy for myself.

bean438 ---Is The Fram valve is really that good-easy to use. They've got them my local hardware store. Is the No. 2 the one to get.

I have no problems with mine. Very easy to use. The sd-2 is the one to get. I have an sd-2 on my 8, 95 protege and 03 accord.
Removeing the drain plug really is no big deal, but a little harder to do without jacking the car. On all 3 of my carsI simply slide a pan under the car(s). The little tube fits right in and there is no mess. However on my protege and accord I have to ramp the car anyway to get at the oil filter, but the sd-2 is still easier. The 8's oil filter is easy to remove once it has been removed for the first time.

Leaning towards the fram.. I remember the fumoto being susceptible to wind a little.. You still install with the crush washer on correct?

The fram comes with a copper washer. I am assuming it is a crush washer. Not too sure though.
Whatever it is, it doesn't leak.

WTF. I bought the fram sure drain today and the damn thing doesn't have a washer in it. looks like it was a return from the looks of it. and of course the store just puts it back on the shelf without even checking to make sure everything is there.

I like to give business to the local guys but I 'm really sick of running around and finding crap like this.

I should just do the e-commerce thing and sit here and wait for ups to bring me stuff.

rant over.

thanks for the thread .

Yep- should have come with a copper crush washer... I installed the Fram a few weeks ago during my last oil change to make it easier to take oil analysis samples. I can't be certain, but I doubt there would be a problem using the stock aluminum crush washer between the oil pain and the brass Fram valve (assuming you have one lying around or can flip over your existing one).

yep,
you reuse the stock one. i have the fram.... the only issue is it drains sloooow. and make sure you have the drivers side jacked up a bit.

other than that it is great. i know cause i had to drain about 2qts of royal purple out after the last change.

flush is good.

beers :beer:

My Fumoto is still doing fine.

I have the Fumoto. It does not stick at all. It is extending horizontally, but it is not any hazard. It takes a while to drain, because it is slow. It is very convenient, though. I don't even need to lift the car.

Csaba

^concurs, fumoto valve is a very well made product, and i actually had an off-track excursion with it last year at a track day event, not even a scratch (fortunately) :D:

Can't find Fram Sure Drain anymore
 

I don't think Fram makes the Sure Drain anymore. Can find it anywhere. I have it on all my other cars. I know need to jack up any of my cars to do an oil change....just got my 8...so I would like to get one. Anyone knows where to get it still or have one to sell.

might check the fram web site, part # is sd-2... i love mine. drains a bit slow, but you can get it to drain where you want it...

beers :beer:

NAPA stores no longer stock the Fram plug in my area, but I found them at my local GI Joe's store.

I have the Fram on our minivan and the Fumoto on my Mazdas. I have had minor problems with each of them:

The Fram has a cap that I have to remove each time to install the drainage nipple. Fram chose to make the cap's surface gnurled or checked instead of putting a hex head on it. The gnurls are too shallow for me to grip or twist them easily. Instead, I have to put pliers on it to get the cap to unscrew. A PITA. Plus, when I put the nipple on, I can't leave the drain hose attached to the nipple very easily, because as I rotate the nipple the hose rotates, too, and since it's got a natural curve, it whips up and hits the underside of the van. Again, a PITA. Otherwise the Fram is OK.

The Fumoto works fine, except that the little lever gets stuck and is very hard to loosen sometimes.

As between the two, I think I prefer the Fumoto. It's simpler, and doesn't have that dump nipple/hose unit or slippery cap.

I have the Fram...only issue I have is that it drains slowly. Much slower then I expected. But it does make it easier to take the oil out...I just have to go do something else while it is draining.....such as remove the oil filter.

Ressurecting the dead with this thread yet AGAIN, but I find myself torn as well on which to buy. Have the fram suredrain on both my Probe and Cobra, and it has served its purpose well. However, I find it a hair cumbersome to keep the hose around, as it's just another item to lose, and then after it's used, the excess oil in the hose just drips out for hours.

The no-tools-needed fumoto valve has my attention, but it's price of almost $20 more (including shipping) which makes it more then twice as expensive has me wondering if its really worth it. (Fram = $12.99 VS. Fumoto = $32.95) And the issues with the valve sticking out/down on the fumoto seems like a slight concern.

Although it maybe be slightly beating a dead horse, has anyone to date had a problem with clearence on the fumoto? It sounds too good to be true...


Oh yea, and to clarify...the Fram isn't available on shelves anymore (?), but if anyone else is looking for one, got a STEAL on eBay in a dutch auction for $13 shipped. Let me know if anyone wants the URL.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-F...spagenameZWD1V

:)

i got my fumoto valve from www.fumotovalve.com for $24 SHIPPED.

you do need the extension piece for it to fit the RX-8's oil pan, however, once it's installed, no clearance problem whatsoever, 2 years running now :)

a simple flip of a switch and you can drain the oil, how much easier can it be?? :ylsuper:

I have the suredrain installed on 4 cars before. I never use the hose. I just screw the brass piece in and let it drain there. The first time I use the hose, it just get oil everywhere due to the fact that it tries to spring back to the U-shape that it comes in the package.

Yes yes, searching on eBay can be quite a task...


yea, that's the site I am looking at. With the extension and $4 shipping, it's about $33. Looks like inflation caught up with them.

it is the case of you get what you pay for, i really have nothing but great things to say about the fumoto valve, i've already saved probably hundreds of dollars on oil change bills if i took it to the shop for oil changes, and many hours of labor of lifting car up/opening drain plug has been saved because i can just reach under and flip a switch to drain oil

to me the fumoto valve is probably the best bang-for-buck mod i've done on the 8, bar none :ylsuper: