High volume oil changes made easier

[Ductape]

Disclaimer: If you're happy having your oil changed at quicky-lube, hit the back button. If you buy no-name oil and cheap oil filters, read no further! 🙂

Having a sizable fleet and a family that drives a lot, I go through a lot of oil. And it's getting more and more obvious that vehicle designers don't give a darn what obstacles they put in the path of the oil drain. I tried a Fumoto- it leaked. I know most people are satisfied, but I read accounts of others leaking as well.

Talked with my fleet manager and he recommended Aeroquip's FLOCS fittings. Clicky On page 6. For example a 6.8 Ford takes part FD14-4002-23-06 which is M14 x 1.5. I like these better than the Fumoto, has an internal poppet valve with O-ring seal and a second O-ring on the outside under a metal cap. No oil is leaking out and no dirt is getting in.

Connect a hose with PN FD14-4003-10-06 on page 7.

If you don't want to gravity drain, then add a 12v pump from Northern Tool Oil Extractor . I use one to pump the oil directly into a five gallon can for recycling.

I sourced my fittings through the local hydraulic supply. You can get them on the internet as well.

[NinerBikes]

I pull the bottom panel, go for a nice drive to warm things up and make the oil nice and homogenized, then put a 19mm socket on it and pull the drain plug for a nice clean flushing.

Probably important to get a good high speed dumping / flushing with hot oil with all the soot in suspension in diesel motor oil, hence I pull the plug and pass on topside oil changes.

[Airstreamer67]

I've had good luck with Fumotos too. It sure takes the sting out of draining hot oil, and makes oil sample collecting a simple job too.

[fj12ryder]

Well, if you only put a couple thousand miles a year on a vehicle, it really doesn't matter if it starts going downhill after 75,000 miles or so.

[True_temper]

Oil changes are way over rated, I go years on some of my vehicles.

[J_Walker]

I did it again, gave a nice description and left the link of the oil dispenser out. I edited my post above and here is the link http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623859_200623859 I am very pleased with it.

[Ron3rd]

fj12ryder wrote:
Just a data point, but I've installed 5 Fumoto valves on our vehicles and none have leaked. Like I said, just some more data points.

I figure anything that makes less of a mess when changing oil is a good thing. 🙂

I've only had 2 Fumotos, and neither leaked.

[path1]

Ductape wrote:
Flow rates are published in the linked catalog. Seems to depend on the particular fitting. Ranges from .24 to .68 GPM. Says 175 degrees 10W-30. Does not say if that's gravity or using a pump. I'm of the opinion that the important contaminants are in suspension with hot oil. If there's stuff in the crankcase too big to float then it's probably beyond help.

I knew someone would ask about cost. I never said cheaper. :W

Chinese pump a good buy at $20 on sale.
Crankcase fitting a pricey $40. But I'll pay for quality. Don't want oil leaks.
Coupler for the drain hose was (cough) $90. I almost turned back at that point but I was committed. :E At that price I am assuming the knurling was hand carved by Swiss jewelers. When not in use I keep in on my desk and admire the sparkle.

Thanks for info. It still would pay for itself in short order IMO.

[Ductape]

Flow rates are published in the linked catalog. Seems to depend on the particular fitting. Ranges from .24 to .68 GPM. Says 175 degrees 10W-30. Does not say if that's gravity or using a pump. I'm of the opinion that the important contaminants are in suspension with hot oil. If there's stuff in the crankcase too big to float then it's probably beyond help.

I knew someone would ask about cost. I never said cheaper. :W

Chinese pump a good buy at $20 on sale.
Crankcase fitting a pricey $40. But I'll pay for quality. Don't want oil leaks.
Coupler for the drain hose was (cough) $90. I almost turned back at that point but I was committed. :E At that price I am assuming the knurling was hand carved by Swiss jewelers. When not in use I keep in on my desk and admire the sparkle.

[Horizon170]

The add says it has a max lift of 1.66 inches. I don't think that would work on my 7.3 diesel.
Marvin

[J_Walker]

Here is a Northern Tool oil tank I have used for years that makes my oil changes much easier on the oil filling side of the job. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623859_200623859 Just add some air pressure and the job is done with hands off. The location of the oil fill tube is made for a pressure fed system, not a gravity fed system. The tank was a reward to myself for doing the oil changes myself.

[path1]

Good info...What price did you pay and more importantly what about "flow rate"?

I took my Fumoto valve off after a retired Cummins engineer showed me a test of what was left behind by draining at slower "flow rate".

Same theory as when you drain a sink with plug barley in and unrestricted. Stuff left behind when draining at lower flow rate is higher. But this would make a lot of since for fleet owners as the cross over of time and money would come into play, fast. Not to mention how many lube bays you have. But I wonder why Eaton didn't put in any "flow rate" results with their valve versus free flow gravity.

[Ductape]

Yep, less mess is what initially motivated me. Seems like all the vehicles made lately have something right in the oil stream. F53 pours right out on the axle. F150 on the anti roll bar. Ram 3500 dumps out so fast it splashed oil on the front wheel half the time.

All clean now. 😄

[fj12ryder]

Just a data point, but I've installed 5 Fumoto valves on our vehicles and none have leaked. Like I said, just some more data points.

I figure anything that makes less of a mess when changing oil is a good thing. 🙂

[westend]

I've had real good history with Eaton. Called a few times to inquire about specific issues and ended up with an engineer in conversation, sometimes the one that designed the part.

I do my own vehicle maintenance, too, but haven't used the quick change attachments. How would I skin my knuckles opening up a cap? 😉