Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

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Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

April 06, 2010, 11:12:28 pm

I stand corrected about being concerned about drain valves being knocked off or too slow.

Femco web site shows a low profile large diameter quick drain plug. But they have 4 different models that I assume also come in several different threads. How do I know which to buy? Standard, Compact, Click-Speed or XXL?

And how do I know what my drain plug size is? We have had our transmission aluminum drain pan plug-hole stripped and had to have a ream and tap job.
Sure looks like Femco would have eliminated the serious problem. Putting Femco on our tranny could be a good idea.

http://www.femco.nl/NL/

Barry & Cindy
1997 Foretravel U270 36'
Foretraveler ...

Quote

r. Femco has an internal check valve, much like the
'water hose coupling check valves'. It had a separate o-ringed cap and an 'actuating' drain line. You removed the cap, screwed in the drain line which opened the check valve. The big diesels are high enough off the ground, if you scrape the oil pan you've got far more problems than losing some oil!!!
Italian design.
I would recommend them for the aluminum pan M11s. An aluminum pan with a steel drain plug is what we call planned obsolescence...

Dave Head
95 U320C SE

Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #1 – April 07, 2010, 07:32:19 am

Yahoo Message Number: 41759

Contact the US rep...
http://www.nospillsystems.com/sizing.htm Same people I dealt with 6 years ago. Really nice people, know what they are doing. The FAQ and the pdf should answer most of your questions.

Quote from: Barry & Cindy

I stand corrected about being concerned about drain valves being knocked off or too slow.

Femco web site shows a low profile large diameter quick drain plug. But they have 4 different models that I assume also come in several different threads. How do I know which to buy? Standard, Compact, Click-Speed or XXL?

And how do I know what my drain plug size is? We have had our transmission aluminum drain pan plug-hole stripped and had to have a ream and tap job.
Sure looks like Femco would have eliminated the serious problem. Putting Femco on our tranny could be a good idea.

http://www.femco.nl/NL/

Barry & Cindy
1997 Foretravel U270 36'
Foretraveler ...

Quote
r. Femco has an internal check valve, much like the
'water hose coupling check valves'. It had a separate o-ringed cap and an 'actuating' drain line. You removed the cap, screwed in the drain line which opened the check valve. The big diesels are high enough off the ground, if you scrape the oil pan you've got far more problems than losing some oil!!!
Italian design.
I would recommend them for the aluminum pan M11s. An aluminum pan with a steel drain plug is what we call planned obsolescence...

Dave Head
95 U320C SE

Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #2 – April 07, 2010, 11:24:58 am

Yahoo Message Number: 41763

Barry,
I bought mine from Western Fleet Dist. Inc. in Phoenix
603-276-3916.
Called and ordered a low profile ( only about twice the size of the drain plug head, may be 1/4") with a straight drain tube for an M-11. They knew the size and thread I needed. Interestingly, the quick drain and the drain hose are sold separately. $75.35 in '05 including freight.

Ron 40' '97 U-320

Femco oil pan drain plugs

Reply #3 – January 01, 2011, 07:41:57 pm

I just changed the oil in our Cummins C-8.3, PowerTech Isuzu 8kw generator and our 2002 Jeep Grand.

After removing each OEM drain plug and draining oil, we installed new Femco drain plugs to make it easier to drain next time. And no more stripped drain plug issues.

Anyone using Femco drain plugs?

www.nospillsystems.com/media/Compact%20Design%20Fax.pdf
www.nospillsystems.com/media/Femco%20Standard%20and%20Compact%20Design%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf
Products/Part#

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #4 – January 01, 2011, 08:14:13 pm

Yup just about everyday lol We have them in all our fleet trucks at Sanjel Better than sliced bread as far as Aim concerned , nice move

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #5 – January 02, 2011, 07:52:40 am

I am confused!

Which is better?

OilDrainValve.net, Online Valve Shop (cheaper)

OR the Femco system?

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #6 – January 02, 2011, 08:27:01 am

Quote from: Duane Budd – January 02, 2011, 07:52:40 am

I am confused!

Which is better?

OilDrainValve.net, Online Valve Shop (cheaper)

OR the Femco system?

Femco Valve!

"Easy Drain Valve"

Change Car Oil Quick, Clean & Easy with Fumoto Valve

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #7 – January 02, 2011, 08:32:29 am

One thought on the T-203 oil drain valve, while it works great on most of our stationary generators, I would not think much of the use on a highway engine. Reason-all it would take is a plastic bag (Wally World Bag) on the ground that you run over, it could get hung on the lever and sooner or later work the valve to the open/leaking position.
As for the Femco, it does not appear to have such an issue.
You always have to think about the liability side of any non standard things. I do not want to fight the EPA over such a brilliant item.
Think it can not happen to you, Get your head out of the sand.
Happy New Year

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #8 – January 02, 2011, 11:49:39 am

Well as I said in my early reply we use the Femco on all our big trucks , On ours we use a very easy on 90 degree fitting that has a 8 inch long green hose , I just unscrew the cap and screw on the 90 and the oil come out.
The nice thing about this system is when your done you simply unscrew the fitting and reinstall the brass cap and your done . You can buy them at any NAPA that carries OTR turck parts for arounf 50 bucks . fwiw Andy

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #9 – January 02, 2011, 07:38:41 pm

As far as using a drain plug on your oil pan I've been using Fumoto valves for the past 11 years on two different motorhomes without a problem. It sure makes the job of changing oil alot easier.
On my F.T. I didn't what to wait until after I drained my oil to install the Fumoto so I tried a method I had read about on another forum.
You use a vacuum to "hold" the oil while you remove the old plug and install the new one. I used my shopvac. I removed the oil filler cap and shoved the shopvac pickup down inside a few inches or more. Then sealed the opening around the two with a clean rag and held tight with your hands. Start the vacuum and have another person remove the plug. The vacuum will hold the oil from running out. Put the new plug in and shut off the vacuum and release the rag from around the pickup tube and oil filler housing. Replace the cap.
I was a little nervous at first but it did in fact work. I did have one small drop of oil come out. It landed on the cardboard I had placed under the plug opening.
Next I was able to change the oil using the Fumoto valve filling the one gallon containers as planned.
What ever type of quick drain plug you go with you will notice it makes oil changes alot easier.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #10 – January 02, 2011, 07:57:22 pm

Fumoto were probably the first drain plugs. I think Femco does not stick down as much and have an easy way to attach a drain hose. It is just a choice. I think each may have advantages due to their different designs.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #11 – January 02, 2011, 09:17:20 pm

Fumoto has a SAFETY CLIP to prevent the valve from being opened, but having used one for several years, I don't thank a Walmart bag would cause one to open. But that said, I do use a safety clip on the one on the motorhome. It's only a buck for the clip. And I have trouble getting the clip off with channel locks.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #12 – January 03, 2011, 08:28:24 am

One downside to these valves is that they reduce the drain flow rate. While that helps when using small containers, it reduces the flushing action we want to remove any deposits from the pan. As always, oil should be drained while hot, for the same reason.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #13 – September 28, 2011, 01:04:12 pm

About 6 months ago I installed new Femco Compact drain plugs on our Cummins C-8.3 engine, PowerTech 8kw generator & Jeep engine drain pans.

We got around to changing our oils and filters this week and found Femco's drain slower than we would prefer. Oils were ambient temp of about 60 degrees which also can slow things down a bit.

I ended up setting a timer and doing other things giving each drain about a half hour. Probably the drain was completed before time was up. Femco's long vinyl drain hose is great in that wind does not blow slow draining oil outside our Rubbermaid storage drain pan. And we will not be worrying about cross threading or over tightening drain plugs. So Femco drain plugs help, but I think that faster draining oil has a better tendency to move any 'junk' from bottom of drain pan.

We are not planning to removing our Femco plugs for now.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #14 – September 28, 2011, 01:18:50 pm

I would warm the oil to at least 80-100 degrees. It really speeds things up. I had a Femco on my '93 C8.3 and with warm to hot oil AND removing the fill cap things moved pretty rapidly... I also liked the ease with which you could draw a sample...

I really should have one put on the M11, since the aluminum pan and steel cap is a known problem child and mine leaks.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #15 – September 28, 2011, 03:34:03 pm

We always hear it is better to drain hot/warm oil and it makes sense that it will flow out faster.
It takes quite a while to warm up and engine for an oil change and if we drain soon after turning engine off, a lot of oil will remain up in engine. If we wait several hours for most of the oil to drain down and let any sludge settle down, oil will cool off.

It seems that when draining oil that has been sitting for days, we can get more oil out with more bottom accumulations.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #16 – September 28, 2011, 03:45:44 pm

I will write my story tomorrow.
The engine oil drain plug on my 1996 U320 M11 (1 by 18) was stripped when I bought it and held in with thread tape.
I replaced the drain plug with a Fumoto 26mm by 1.5 (equal to 1 1/32 by 17) drain valve but, while it held, I was not comfortable with having only partial threads.
I ordered a 27mm by 2 (equal to 1 1/16 by 13) but on visual realized it was not much better.
I replaced the 26mm by 1.5 with a 1 1/8 by 12 Fumoto drain valve - lots of clean threads and torqued up tight.

I still have the Fumoto 26mm by 1.5 (equal to 1 1/32 by 17) drain valve with tap which I will sell to someone who has damaged (but not totally stripped like mine were) threads.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #17 – September 28, 2011, 04:02:15 pm

My wife and I own a heavy equipment business which consists of bulldozers and trackhoes. Most of which are the Caterpillar brand, the drain plugs that Cat uses for most of their engines IF they have a quick drain plug is the type sold by oildrainvalve.net.
I have had a couple of which we put over 5000 hours on without any problems of movement or vibration.
For convenience we also installed one on our Mack haul truck.

I guess it would be which is better "chevy" or "ford" discussion.

Fumoto 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #18 – September 28, 2011, 04:22:17 pm

Quote from: Kerry – September 28, 2011, 04:02:15 pm

the drain plugs that Cat uses for most of their engines IF they have a quick drain plug is the type sold by oildrainvalve.net.

The one on oildrainvalve.net is the Fumoto valve.

Re: Fumoto 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #19 – September 28, 2011, 05:23:21 pm

I've had Fumoto on my Audi's and Femco on the Cummins. I like Femco better. Of course, you have to keep track of the 'drainer'...

Re: Fumoto 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #20 – September 28, 2011, 05:28:34 pm

Part Finder - Femco No-Spill™ Systems I like the 'standard'. On an M11, since I have nothing to drain 44 quarts into, I plan on buying one just before I have my next Speedco visit...

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #21 – September 28, 2011, 07:04:06 pm

For sure everyone has an opinion on this fancy oil drain system to keep you pinkies clean and dry.

I have traveled enough, worked on enough and seen enough crazy things happen on the road, that I will stick to the normal oil plug drain plug.
Simple fact, Have never seen a standard drain plug get knocked off and leaving a oily mess on the road. Have seen just that from a truck that ran over a spare tire (truck tire), the oil mess was the bad part of it all, the rest was sheet metal damage and a broken fuel cross over line. Anyway then you see cars etc with the plastic shopping bags handing up under the vehicle as they drive along. I can guess that sooner or later that little plastic bag can turn a quarter turn valve enough to drain your oil. Never seen that, but can guess it can.
As usual, you gotta do what your comfy with, Me, I am not comfy with the possibilities.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #22 – September 28, 2011, 07:21:17 pm

Quote

Part Finder - Femco No-Spill™ Systems I like the 'standard'. On an M11, since I have nothing to drain 44 quarts into, I plan on buying one just before I have my next Speedco visit...

Dave, I took an old 30 gallon plastic barrel, ( it had had some kind of cleaner in it ), cut it down to about 24 inches high using a sawzall leaving two places for handles. It fits under the FT and when done I pour the old oil into used gallon jugs for disposal. When I think of it next I will post a picture.
Gary B

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #23 – September 28, 2011, 07:33:27 pm

I take it to the local stop, with 5 gallons of Delo 100- 40wt, all filters I want changed, and $52.00. Let them worry about the over spill. disposal of filters & old oil. and other stuff.
They do a nice job, do not leave a mess, give me a receipt, ( save for liability problems) and are glad to see me arrive AND LEAVE.

Re: Femco 'automatic' drain plugs

Reply #24 – September 28, 2011, 07:58:44 pm

I fould then on line for 40-50 bucks, local or free shipping.

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