I have been using the Fram Sure Drain for almost a year now with no apparent problems. But after reading about how much “old” oil is trapped and not drained, I decided to see for myself.

I drained the hot oil as normal with the Sure Drain ( let it sit for 30 minutes after all oil drained ). Next, I removed the drain fitting and captured the oil that came out. I was amazed and shocked to see about 3 ounces of nasty oil in my catch container.

Based on the fact that the oil drains very slow and more importantly, that old oil is trapped, I can no longer recommend the Fram Sure Drain. I am going to try the Fumoto Drain Valve ( http://www.fumotovalve.com/ ) at the next change.

If you have a Fram drain, you might want to rethink keeping it.

I've been thinking of getting this valve too. They have it at Performance Products. I'll post when I get it.

i dont think many people are gonna be too concerned with the 3 oz of undrained oil, but i dont see whats wrong with just doing it the old fashioned way if youre so concerned with getting out every drop of oil. just pull the plug and let it drip for as long as you want.

just a thought.

Not to be a smart ass so no harsh come backs, but why not just do it the old fashioned way????

Yea, I pulled mine as well. :( Too damn slow!

Originally posted by offroader_69_me
Not to be a smart ass so no harsh come backs, but why not just do it the old fashioned way????

The drain valves prevent any mess is why I use them.

Aldive, glad to hear you finally listened to me :). In mine it was much more then 3 ounces, I would estimate a good 2 cups of oil. And leaving cruddy oil in there IS a big problem!!

You were indeed correct, Matt, thanks.

When you waited the 30 minutes did you have the drain plug open or closed? How much of that oil drained down from the engine? If you were to drain your oil, leave that valve thingy open for the 30 minutes so anything coming from the engine can also drain out, then close it and remove it. This is what is actually left behind, say for example what cannot flow over the lip if it sits too far in your oil pan.

Does the part that screws into the oil pan have a lip inside the oil pan?

The normal plug leaves nothing on the botttom of the pan to restrict the flow,so the oil flows out along the flat surface when removed, but with the suredrain, or any valve that is still screwed in, something is left inside,so it must have a bit of a raised thread holding that 1/2" of oil in.......

I know that doesnt make sense.. :confused: It is hard to explain...sort of like this..the threads remain above the bottom of the pan:

Nice diagram, Crankcase. I'm going to check my Fumoto valve next oil change, and see if the threads extend into the pan. If they do, I intend to grind off the end so the valve seats flush with the pan (inside) bottom.

I have used a Fumoto on all my vehicles for the last several years, with no problems. They make oil changes a lot easier and cleaner.:)

Is the check ball. I've read enough posts about gasket material dropping down to the pan and then getting stuck in the inlet screen. I like to think a good unrestricted flow gets some of this material out of the pan. The check ball may keep everything from dripping on you but it slows the flow down.

It is more like this:

http://stlouismtb.tripod.com/pics/oil.jpg

Originally posted by Black Magic
It is more like this:

http://stlouismtb.tripod.com/pics/oil.jpg

You got the idea....I forgot Second gens had that stupidly placed drain hole.....:D

Right, I forgot, it has been a long time since the 91

I have the "Sure Drain" on my 4.0 OHV engine, and it appears to drain completely. The drain points straight down at the ground on my oil pan. I think the problem with the SOHC engine is that the drain points out to the side, trapping some oil like shown by Black Magic.

On the GF Toyota, the drain points to the side similar to the SOHC. I bought a Fumoto for her truck because of this.

Originally posted by Crankcase
You got the idea....I forgot Second gens had that stupidly placed drain hole.....:D
hey my 2000 f-150 drains the same way, LOL. I'm kind of impartial to it, if it was on the bottom it might be more likely to catch rocks, etc. and do more damage when off-roading (not that I've done much lately, LOL) so its a tough call. Either way, I've gone back to the old school way of changing my oil after like two oil changes with that Fram. FYI, last time I changed my oil I think I spilled about maybe a teaspoon worth of oil on the driveway, not too bad in my opinion... I get better each time I do it :).

My Fumoto valve has been installed for the last several years. I always catch my oil in my drain pan and then after I poor 5 quarts of new oil into my engine, I poor the old oil into the 5 empty container. I have never had a problem filling all 5 containers with used oil. Just for curiosity though, I'll remove my Fumoto valve on my next oil change and measure what is left.

I have the ball type drain. I usually pour a quarter quart of new oil through the engine after the old has quit flowing. I would like to think this rinces out the old oil. Dont know what it does really, buy I like to think it helps.

Yea, I usually do the fresh oil flush thing too.

I just started doing it too. However, I use an entire quart of fresh oil.

I use an entire quart as well.

Have you ever used one of those oil detergents?

Not I; nothing goes in any motor of mine except synthetic oil.

I have been thinking about switching to synthetic. If I do, can I just change the oil like normal, or do I have to flush everything out real good. Will it hurt if a little dino oil gets mixed with synthetic?

Originally posted by Gonzo
I have been thinking about switching to synthetic. If I do, can I just change the oil like normal, or do I have to flush everything out real good. Will it hurt if a little dino oil gets mixed with synthetic?

All you need to do is change the oil as normal.

Goof luck....

Originally posted by Gonzo
I have been thinking about switching to synthetic. If I do, can I just change the oil like normal, or do I have to flush everything out real good. Will it hurt if a little dino oil gets mixed with synthetic?

Every syn oil I have seen states that the syn oil is 100% compatible with regular (dino) oil. You could mix them together if you wanted (I'm not suggesting that you do though) and it should not cause any issues.

re: Flushing with new oil

I have done this when opening the engine up (i.e. changing the valve cover gaskets or replacing the timing chain) but I don't think it is necessary for a normal oil change. It won't hurt anything, but I don't see that much of a benefit either.

re: Using a Oil Flush product

I have seen that some people on the Oil Board have a product that they like, but again, if you are changing the oil regularly and using quality oil (esp syn oil which is high detergent) I'm not convinced that there is a big benefit to the oil flush products.

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