FOMOTO Oil Drain Valve - which to get?

[1150A]

Hi All,

I'm looking to start doing my own oil changes. I've read lots of good stuff about the FOMOTO oil drain valve. I have an 01 LX470 and it's completely stock. Would you guys recommend the snort nipple version? Regular nipple? No nipples?

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Perhaps I’m old school, but I’d never, *never ever*, use one of those. OEM drain plug all the way for me! But to each their own.

 

[KraziAzn]

Hi All,

I'm looking to start doing my own oil changes. I've read lots of good stuff about the FOMOTO oil drain valve. I have an 01 LX470 and it's completely stock. Would you guys recommend the snort nipple version? Regular nipple? No nipples?

I have one, get the short nipple, so you can attach a house while draining it.

Literally the cleanest way to change the oil. You'll love it, no more oil splashing around while draining.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Fumoto F103N with LC-10 Lever Clip FN-Series Engine Oil Drain Valve

Amazon product ASIN B07D9DXCHP

 

[AK Wes]

I have one, get the short nipple, so you can attach a house while draining it.

Literally the cleanest way to change the oil. You'll love it, no more oil splashing around while draining.

Agreed! Get the short nipple version and you can attach a hose to the valve, which you can also buy from Fumoto at the same time. If you have aftermarket skid plates under your ride this drain valve make your life WAY easier and cleaner when doing oil changes!

 

[Live to Ski]

I'd safety wire the lever just in case. Easy/fast.

 

[Kofoed]

I have not changed my oil with one yet, as I just installed it. I would get the short nipple, the cap, and the plastic piece that locks the lever for the valve. Also, they sell the hose to drain to oil

The amazon link shows the plastic locking piece, but the long nipple

 

[97 AZ LC]

I've always used a hose clamp to keep the lever from coming up, over and open. They didn't always offer the plastic clip, which probably works fine. The conventional wisdom seems to be that you should have some sort of a lever lock for off roading. Btw, this is a similar but different model with a long nipple.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Hi All,

I'm looking to start doing my own oil changes. I've read lots of good stuff about the FOMOTO oil drain valve. I have an 01 LX470 and it's completely stock. Would you guys recommend the snort nipple version? Regular nipple? No nipples?

F103N

Perhaps I’m old school, but I’d never, *never ever*, use one of those. OEM drain plug all the way for me! But to each their own.

I was hesitant ten years ago. Now, eleven years and ~150k miles later, it's the first thing I buy for every vehicle I own (already have one sitting on my workbench for the 06LX I just got). The 100 series is an absolutely ideal installation for these because there is a huge bar (frame, subframe, support, something) right in front of the drain plug. Any object or impact that would cause a problem with the drain valve is probably going to ruin the entire vehicle.

I run one of these, even on my lowered sports car with very, very little ground clearance and no armor around the drain plug (~3 to 4" exposed ground clearance at the drain valve, perhaps). The valve is high quality and does not turn open without very specific and intentional force. The detent where the valve rests is deep. more often than not, you also end up with the valve lever oriented in a way that wouldn't allow an object going under the vehicle to turn the valve the right direction to open anyways.

I think there's something to be said for removing the R&R of the drain plug at every oil change as well. You're far more likely to screw up the threading of the OEM drain plug than you are to have that drain valve fail.

 

[1150A]

Sweet thanks guys! I am just about to put my order in now for the goods. I think I will go with the short nipple version cause more clearance sounds good/safe. I will be using a hose.

Will update if I have issues!

Just for ref, it looks like model numbers for the nipple versions are F103S (short) or F103N (normal)

 

[MongooseGA]

I have one. It's the only single thing in/on my whole truck that leaks anything. Though, it likely needs some sealing tape on the threads and I don't have the rubber cap. And it's maybe good for a drop or two per service interval, just enough to keep the area a little wet.

 

[reznunt]

You'll love it, no more oil splashing around while draining.

The splash is refreshing

 

[Kofoed]

I have one. It's the only single thing in/on my whole truck that leaks anything. Though, it likely needs some sealing tape on the threads and I don't have the rubber cap. And it's maybe good for a drop or two per service interval, just enough to keep the area a little wet.

If it is leaking between the pan and the valve, you need to use a new gasket.

 

[udubfl]

I wanted to try this as well since I have a aftermarket belly pan now and it’s a pain during oil change.

So, I ordered it and had it laying around. And, on my last oil change when I tried to thread it, it wasn’t as easy to thread as a regular plug. it felt little snug. I didn’t want to force it since maybe I thought I ordered the wrong one, But I checked and it’s correct. And it wasn’t misthreading.

So, question is, is it normal for the thread to feel snug as you start? Just wanted to double check before trying again.

 

[jasoncjung]

I installed 2 on mine/brother's 100s and don't recall it being any different to thread than the normal drain plug. Took less than 15 seconds to install. It was the F103N like you are holding.

 

[udubfl]

thanks for confirming @jasoncjung! Will try again on my next oil change.

 

[SmoothLC]

Pre Slee skid plates and they work great with the plastic or steel skid . . . F-103N

 

[timdgsr]

If it is leaking between the pan and the valve, you need to use a new gasket.

This would be my thought as well. My 100 is picky as all get out about the gasket. Can't re-use factory gasket, and can't use any aftermarket gasket I've ever found. I just bought a bag of them from my dealership.

I forget if the fomoto uses the factory or comes with its own.

 

[heidtman79]

I'm curious how the new F103SX would work. If you're adventurous maybe you can test and let us know. I currently have the 103N but thought I would switch to the 103s until I saw the six today.

 

[1150A]

EDIT: Had a little leak after install. Perhaps a little loose. Going to tigheten more.

I can actually see slight oil seap from the blue gasket. Any tips? Should I be tightening more?