Anyone decide against Fumoto/Valvomax oil drain system?

I've been on the fence about going with a Fumoto/Valvomax oil drain system on my new 2024 TRD ORP. I'm leaning more to the Valvomax because I'm a fan of the lower profile compared to the Fumoto and cap that will act a safe-guard against any failing seal it may have in the future.

Pros:
-Easier oil changes
-Less chance for oil spills and messes
-Less wear and tear on oil pan threads which could cause leaks (stripped threads)

Cons:
-Potential for a mechanic/ tech to not sure how to mess with it (I plan on doing my own oil changes so won't be an issue)
-Slower flow-rate because of reduced hole size. Perhaps this won't get all of the sludge/dirt out?
-Won't drain out all oil? It appears the threads on the Fumote/Valvomax will stay higher than the bottom of the oil pan. Could this also cause metal/wear fragments to not fully drain out at oil change time?
-Corrosion by not removing plug from pan? I'm not sure how the brass/stainless steel will react with the oil pan long-term (especially that it isn't regularly being removed).

I plan on keeping this truck as long as possible. I'd hate to introduce an issue that can be avoidable by sticking with the OEM plug. Especially since I'll most likely just be changing the oil 2x a year.

I did buy the Motivx oil filter tool. Motivx oil filter drain tool, and Motivx funnel. I thought about buying the metal oil filter housing, but I am having similar concerns (if it's not broke, don't fix it). I am going to stick with Toyota OEM filter elements (

$31 04152-YZZA5 Genuine Toyota - 4Runner Oil Filter 1/2 Case (QTY 5) - 04152-YZZA5

04152-YZZA5)

Thoughts?

 

I had a Fumoto on 2 vehicles for many years without having issues. This time I decided on Stahlbus for both vehicles and they have been good.

https://www.stahlbus-us.com/oil-drain-valve/

 

I had a fumoto for 9 years on my subaru and 0 issue, sold the subaru for my brand new 4R. I just installed a fumoto on my 4R today.

 

I am a mechanic and I see lots of vehicles with them and they all work well. They are nice for sure however I look at it as a way for someone to more quickly vandalize your vehicle. Easier access to draining some or all or your oil into a container. Yes the oil light would come on but so many people don’t even look at the dash. Just my thoughts.

 

That would be less easy with a Valvomax, unless they have the magic tube with them. In either case, they'd have to unbolt the cover, and they could just as well drain it from the standard bolt almost as fast.

 

Just did my first oil change with the Valvomax. Very convenient way to drain, although I'm not sure it drained as completely as without the Valvomax. The oil on the dipstick was just brown enough to actually read it after re-filling the oil. Normally it's got that clear "new-oil-color" and you can hardly read it.

I drilled a larger hole in my Flo-Tool drain pan. The hose from the Valvomax adapter fit right into the hole and the oil drained directly into the container. No more draining on the flat "pan" area first and then into the hole. Much easier clean up.

 

I wouldn’t be concerned much with bits at the bottom since it’ll likely be suspended in oil already or in the filter.

Reduced flow rate is real but being able to tube the oil directly into a container with much reduced spill-risk is a big plus.

Not worried about vandalism in my application since they’d still need to unbolt the door on the skid and it’s easy to do either way.

I haven’t done it personally to my 4Runner but I’ve equipped my SO’s Honda. Biggest obstacle for me is just the cost of buying.

 

Yes

 

For those of us diehard oem drain plug people, I've seen several positive YouTube reviews of this gadget, which seems to prevent the dreaded oil gush & scalded hand when removing the drain plug:

$26 OTC Tools 5911A Drain Plug Pro Magnetic Remover, Black, 1/4" Square Drive

https://www.amazon.com/OTC-Tools-5911A-Magnetic-Remover/dp/B01MSJEBBO?crid=1L5B5M5SL1DHD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.z72f_HmdirQ3pF4s4qhc-1-Gc_HxaJ4JUgiQONtGOKBp5tPlV5VxH5yla9fdE7y8lo95l14QjQ_F7b2BrnDBrnLbo1G5Ld-gqxYV4W94nN7w-OiWJnoaf91XrWV_2wGkvqBtlDuYQNbNRiJy6GgZDhqo4kRhQ2v2jD7vgzlNRReGczHUa9W8oCx0a4QivFEzAh3_c0TWvUhDSoErZclvOg.Ym4cVyqh3Td2NNkEXyDEg8jdwMnLO53FreA0UiyoQsk&dib_tag=se&keywords=magnetic+oil+drain+plug+removal+tool&qid=1716698355&sprefix=magnetic+oil+drain+plug+removal+tool%2Cautomotive%2C201&sr=8-2

One of the videos was actually on a 4R:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mZS9AIcXP24&pp=ygUIT3RjIDU5MTE=

 

Fumoto valves come as standard equipment on some of the excavators, dozers, etc. Some of these pieces of equipment have 20k + hrs of operating time. I do not know how many miles that could come out to be, but these pieces of equipment get alot more abuse and oil changes than our 4Runners. We have a Fumoto on our 4Runner, but have not ruled out trying different kinds of valves for draining oil, it's just that Fumoto was the valve I've seen the most and thought to try them. BTW, I've never seen a Fumoto go 'bad' on construction equipment.

 

Do I need to change the gas cap so no one vandalizes my runner by putting shit in the tank? If vandalism is a reason not to buy and install a tool to assist with oil changes, then I think there are bigger concerns.

 

To do extra miles with Toy4x4 comment, I use to work on Helicopters and on the engines, transmission, RGB and oil coolers we’re equipped with drain valves also! Never seen a single failure in 30 years! Obviously not fumoto for FAA reasons, but work exactly the same with an aviation price tag!

 

I was curious about this, too and installed one on my Tacoma to check to see how much was left in the pan after draining with a ValvoMax. I installed the valve and then next oil change I drained it, then pulled the valve and let the remaining oil drain out. Wasn't a lot - I can't recall exactly how much but you won't get all of it off the bottom of the pan. I ended up just staying with an OE drain plug but my primary concern was likely unwarranted but has to do with torque on the valve upon installation. For the Fumoto valve, I couldn't get past the idea of tightening a brass valve into my steel pan. OE spec is like 30 lb/ft. Don't know what Fumoto is but maybe half that? ValvoMax was a little sketchy giving me the torque spec and what it would handle but would seem much more robust being stainless v. brass. I liked everything else about the ValvoMax product.
My oil change setup now involves a bucket with filter media in the bottom to prevent splashing like this:

$21 Lisle 38750 15" Round No-Splatter Pad

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-38750-Round-No-Splatter-Pad/dp/B0051ACYA8.
Works great and only real opportunity for me to make a mess is upon initial removal of the drain plug.

 

Never had any issues changing the oil the normal way.

would the fumoto valve risk doing some damages if a big hit against a rock pushes it into the oil pan?

 

I installed EZ drain (Fumoto clone) valves on two of my vehicles several years ago. Love them. Push a hose onto the drain nipple, turn on the valve and every drop of oil going down into a 5 gallon bucket. Not a drop spilled. I haven't installed one on the 4R yet...not sure if it's worth it, considering the silly cartridge oil filter setup. Don't know of any way to change that filter without at least a few drops of oil spilled.

 

I installed a Fumoto on the first oil change on my 2020 and not a single problem or leak. I've had Fumoto on previous car and my wife's Highlander as well. 4runner skid plate cover and protects the Fumoto with a circle opening big enough for easy oil drain.

 

That's what a good skid plate is for.

 

Yes a decent aftermarket skid plate would solve this but the OEM small cover doesn’t protect much from a big hit

 

Well, you shouldn't be playing in the rocks and risking "a big hit against a rock" in the first place with an OEM skid plate, right? If that's the case, you're better off keeping the drain bolt, too.

 

This will be a good option for me for now. My wife and I have plenty of the oem Toyota crush washers already because I change the oil on her Lexus. I'm going to invest in a good torque wrench (considering buying the HF Icon torque wrench for these types of jobs). I have always done it by "feel", but want to be more official about this with the new truck.

 

I'm not militant pro or con on the Fumotos, but I've used them on almost all of our vehicles for 20+ years with no issues whatsoever. we had a couple Camry's where I was worried about clearance but no issues on the SUV's especially my 4Runner

 

Unless you're getting the 3/8" drive the 1/2" drive Icon torque wrench doesn't go down low enough for the drain plug, it's minimum torque is 50 lbs. I believe the drain plug is way less than that, around 27 to 30 lbs I'm not mistaken.

 

I just acquired a new 2024 ORP and read a lot, I finally decided on the Stahlbus device just due the fact there is a screw on cap which would protect in case of a failure. Also, a vandal would not be able to release the mechanism and drain the oil easily like the Fumoto. The drain tube also serves the double purpose to release the oil and allow it to easily be drained into a container. I carry a spare drain tool in my toolbag in the truck if I decide to have the oil changed elsewhere later in life, I’m 68 now…..

 

Stahlbus has a good design with the cap. After the drain is turned off it's kind of a double safety, although personally I have never heard of failure of the other 2 drain valves other than someone over tightening them and stripping threads.

 

Ive used the Fumoto on 6 different vehicles for over a combined 700k miles and never had a drop of oil leak. Our 4Runners have a cover plate that has to be removed to even access the valve so I don’t worry about vandals. Can’t speak to the quality of the other brands.

C

 

Valvomax for over two years no issues or vandalism yet...

 

Never saw the benefit of a drain valve on this engine as the filter is messier.

 

Yes without the right tools. Motivx oil filter drain tool and Fumoto/Valvomax is so clean. Pointing a tube into container to catch the old oil. Yeah my first oil change with factory skid was a mess.

 

This is all someone would need to vandalize a Stahlbus. Do you have a crazy ex that's been known for opening your Fumoto valves in the past?? I mean, buy whatever design you like best but oil drain vandalization seems like it should be pretty low on the list of considerations.

 

they can use that to take the skid off as well.