cleanest oil change ever

[Tom King]

The second time I changed the oil in Pam's Subaru, I changed the drain plug to a Fumoto valve.  The drain plug is up in a recess, and it was impossible to get the plug out without running oil on something, including down my arm.  The Fumoto valve is well protected up in there, and the chance of it malfunctioning approaches zero from anything hitting it.  You have to pull a flat piece straight down against pretty good spring pressure, and turn it into a slot.  I needed pliers, as the spring was too strong for my fingers up in there.

I also got the adapter to slide a clear hose onto it.  Pictures should be self explanatory.  I like the location for the oil filter up in the engine bay, on top.  There is a big "cup" that surrounds the gasket, so no oil runs down on the engine.

I run the front wheels up on ramps in the shop.  The drained oil gets put back in the container the new oil came in, and carried to the back of an auto parts store, or Walmart, and left with other peoples oil to be recycled.

I had bought a funnel that was supposed to fit a Subaru, but it must have been designed for old one.  The GM one fits tight enough not to leak.

I like the Fumoto valve even better than I thought I would.  Didn't get a drop of oil on anything.  The clear hose just slides on, and off.

 

[wtnhighlander]

That valve is a slick addition, Tom!

Last time I tried to change oil in my truck, I found the drain plug siezed beyond my ability to remove without damaging something (probably me). So I did the "messiest oil change ever", snd just turned the engine over a few times with the oil filter removed. A jug of cat litter cleaned the garage floor, and a new filter + fresh oil got me back on the road. Next change will be at the dealer!

[Tom King]

A similar situation that a friend had, with the same model car as this one, was what started me looking for an alternative.  He has the same 2020 Impreza.  He had the oil changed at one of those quick change places.  They overtightened the plug so much that no good mechanic could get it out.

The trouble with that drain plug is the threads are very large compared to the small hex head.  They had put it in with an impact driver.  My friends bought another oil pan, drilled a hole in the one with the stuck plug to let the oil out, and changed the oil pan.  Of course, they came to my shop to do that.

After the first oil change in Pam's car, I saw what the problem was with the design, and ordered the Fumoto valve.  The next time I changed the oil I installed the new valve.  I wish I'd known about these long ago, but I'd never thought about an alternative to the stock drain plug.  This makes it not only clean, but really easy.

[Chestnut]

I love Subaru's oil filter location it's probably the best I've experienced. 2nd is my Jeep, it's in a similar spot but instead of being a metal can filter it's a cartridge filter and makes a tiny bit more of a mess.

One of these days I'll install a Fumoto valve on the jeep but i still take it to the dealer for oil changes when it's too cold for me to get underneath a vehicle. I'm not sure what the service techs would think at the dealer. They'd probably be too confused to change the oil and I'd pay for them to just do nothing.

[legenddc]

That's such a clean setup it almost makes me want to install them and start changing my own oil. The cost of oil and an oil filter is almost the same as an oil change so I avoid the hassle. 

[JohnG]

My current car has easier oil changes than any of my past vehicles 

[pkinneb]

@JohnGI bet LOL

I had my first oil change on my truck while waiting in the lounge I watched a new RAM slip off the lift brackets and drop onto the arm. Its the first time I have ever considered doing oil changes myself 

Two days later the same dealer changed tires on my daughters Jeep only to have her call me stating the SUV was shaking bad at speed. After having her check the lug nuts she went back and found out they forgot to balance them... 

Needless to say I will not have any further work done at this dealership

[Tom King]

We're a half hour from a town that has oil change places, one way.  That doesn't include whatever time it takes there.  That 5 quart jug of synthetic cost a little over $20, and I don't remember what the filter cost, but it's a good one.  I put whatever I'm changing the oil in inside the shop, and let it drain overnight.  The next day, plug it up, put the filter in, and fill it up.  I'm sure total time is not much more than 10 minutes.  We also have a couple of tractors to change oil in, and three mowers, and other small equipment, so the cars are the easy ones, although my truck is not much more trouble other than it takes 2-1/2 gallons of oil.

I don't think the dually would fit in those oil change places anyway.

[Tpt life]

39 minutes ago, Tom King said:

I don't think the dually would fit in those oil change places anyway.

I also change my own, so don’t hear any argument in this. I just find this a funny statement to read. All the oil change places here are pits. Full coach busses would fit through the doors. Wide load tractors might not. 

[Coop]

I used to send my company vehicles to a national account oil change place until I found out that they pump the oil out thru the fill tube instead of draining the sludge out. 

[Chestnut]

9 hours ago, Coop said:

I used to send my company vehicles to a national account oil change place until I found out that they pump the oil out thru the fill tube instead of draining the sludge out. 

That's pretty common for boats. Ever try and drop the drain plug on a 4.3l chevy when the drain plug is an inch away from the hull? It's not fun.

I agree with you though that isn't how i would want my oil changed.

[JohnG]

On 5/4/2022 at 10:37 PM, Coop said:

I used to send my company vehicles to a national account oil change place until I found out that they pump the oil out thru the fill tube instead of draining the sludge out. 

I’ve heard this criticism but I’ve also heard the argument that there shouldn’t be any sludge if you use good oil and proper interval changes. Haven’t seen (or looked for) data to support one or the other though. 

[wtnhighlander]

I think engine sludge is more the product of piston ring blow-by, that actual wear of the moving parts. And blow-by always exists, else the crankcase vent / EGR wouldn't be necessary. Good clean combustion helps slow the sludge buildup.

[BonPacific]

Most of my vehicles are old enough that the sludge is load-bearing.

[Tom King]

When I leave anything draining overnight, there is still something dripping out of the drain hole the next morning.  

The Father of a college roommate used to put kerosene in an engine after draining the oil, and run it for a few seconds before draining that out.  He said it was always pretty dirty, but I was never convinced that was good for engine longevity.