Testing the Votex quick-change valved oil drain plug. Is it the best? (links in the description)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2023
- I've been looking at these type of "quick-change" or "valved" oil drain plugs for quite a while now. This is the first one designed in a way I trusted enough to test. Although it was far more difficult to install than I had planned, it works so well that I decided it was worth the hassle.
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LINKS TO TOOLS AND PRODUCTS USED IN THIS EPISODE:
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Votex Stainless Steel Quick Valve Oil Drain Plugs - amzn.to/3lt6WJt
Gloveworks HD Orange Nitrile Disposable Gloves - amzn.to/3YsWcZI
[porsche, cayman, 987, diy, automotive, maintenance, oil change, oil filter, spin on filter adapter, magnetic] - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
I'm convinced that having a fancy plug increases the frequency of oil changes. I might get it just for that incentive
I’ve been on the fence for these drain plug valves for probably over a year now, and I could not have asked for a better and more informative video thank you Porsche man. you rock!!!🪨
Thanks for showing this drain valve. I have it, and I removed it from my vehicle after a long while of using it. I got tired of it leaking (not from the thread but from the valve mechanism itslef) and also of using that hose attachment (trust me, I did it right. I'm a mechanic). Instead I installed the Fumoto Valve (the "S" model) which by the way does come with a safety clip so it does not come open by mistake. With the Fumoto I have never experience any leaking, and I don't need to use any attachments to drain (but you can also use a hose if you so wish). I found two other versions of this type of valve you are showing here (the "ValvoMax" and the "Stahlbus") and they both leak (I had them in different vehicles for at least two years) and they also get inconvenient over time with having to have that hose attachment to drain and they do leak from their mechanism. The Fumoto is truly a set it and forget it and literally you don't need any attachments needed to drain, just move the lever to drain, move it again to close. Done. But is true, in some vehicles the Fumoto will stick out and that can be dangerous. Fortunately, all my vehicles provide enough cover for the Fumoto valve so is a no brainer (and that does not include having an undercover shield which if you have then it does not matter if it sticks out or not).
this is a certified hood classic
I have the Stahlbus and it does NOT leak. Even the cap has an O-ring. It's just a big ball bearing with a spring, nothing to leak or break.
Have this on my jeep for about a year now. Have a lift and prior to putting this on, draining my oil always resulted in very small droplets of oil splashing outside the pan. I have an empty cst litter jug and now drain the oil into that. The tube from this drain plug goes into the container and zero mess. Really easy. Zero issues and it’s great.
Love your gentle & clear presentation.👍🙏
2nd comment on oil drain plug. I ended up getting a Valvo Max which operates the same way and is of stainless steel construction, and this one requires a 24 mm wrench for installation. This company is in Texas and I'm in Florida. Received them in 2 days via USPS. I also got a drain valve for my 2013 Tacoma and 1989 Mustang 5 oh too. The cost is the same as a Votex.
A 2.5 gallon oil receptacle set under drain and a cup of tea will be just fine. No mess. I can safely drain it hot! No mess. I put one on each pickup! Nice presentation bro!
I tested my drain of 5w30 at apx 75 f . If left to drain with air in the original tube to catch jug, the oil drains slow. When I pinch the tube at jug and squeeze out air, and let it go, the weight of oil pulls oil out quickly!!!!!!! Fast flow!
The only reservation I have about this Votex valve was that the drainage flow rate seemed very low. My concern is that this low flow rate may result in less contaminants or particulates in the bottom of the pan may flow out. A high flow velocity likely carries more particulates along, sort of like a rushing stream. Other than than it seems like a good product.
Are you heating the motor up before draining?
@cybcx404 doesn't matter even after temp there still contaminate that will not come down if there a small area to drain out.
Lol what a bunch of bullshit
You dont flush the oil when you change it.?
Add some extra oil to flush
I'm completely unconvinced that this is a worthwhile improvement. The only positive I can see is that on an aluminum pan, you are not wearing out the threads by threading the drain plug in & out of the oil pan every single oil change.
I have the Valvomax ones, and I'm very happy with install and changes so far!
I just got a ValvoMax to test, I like their integrated system (at least in theory)
YES! I also hate the hex. I thought I was using the wrong tool. Good to know these always wear out. I guess that forces us to replace the plug for each change. I still would be interested to find one with a metric.
wow! that is Ingenious!
Cliff - thanks for sharing. Any thoughts on a socket that can be bought that will work off the shelf for those of us that don’t have a way to bevel the leading edge?
Hope to meet you in person at Sebring some day!
does VOTEX have a recommended torque setting preferred over the Car's owner manual specs for the plug install?
ONLY asking because I had bought a plug similar to this, but different brand, and they said to fasten to 13 lbs so it would not strip due to being a softer metal. My car at the time had 27 lbs for torque on the oil drain plug
thanks
Does anyone know how this compares to the valvomax in regards to the flow rate...? I believe the other features are the same, except the Votex having a lower profile.
Awesome overview! Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Very polite introduction sir nice to meet yah🫡
Do you ever need to replace it later in future? Is the gasket include in this valve a lifetime or should be replaced?
For me, whole point of a quick drain system is to not have to fumble with threaded connections. I prefer the ez valve system. Accidental opening is nearly impossible as the lever requires a deliberate shift shift to go up and over a safety notch before it will swing open.
where can I get this product if I live in Indonesia
One of the advantages of the internal hex drive is that it prevents ham-fisted types from stripping the threads in an aluminum oil crankcase. The internal hex will strip before the drain plug pulls the threads out of the expensive engine case. That alone is reason to use them. However, it does require that you use a torque wrench to install the plug each time and I use about 90% of the manufacturer recommended torque and have never had an issue with a loose drain plug and they always remove fairly easily at the next change.
Nice product and I don't care for the other one for the same reasons you quoted.
Thanks for sharing. Certainly does make for a cleaner job. Can you post the specs on the correct plug for a Cayman? (I have a 981, not sure if different from 987).
Offhand, I'd guess its the same (M18x1.5) but I can't swear to it. Amazon lets you filter by your car and it's been pretty reliable.
No issues with fumoto on my Mercury Mariner SUV. It is really high off the ground. My Kia Soul is very low and had to get fumoto sx swivel valve to protect it when not in use.
I have a fumoto valve on my '05 tundra. No issues. Boyfriend has had the valve on his 2013 (got totaled) and now his 2019 tundra. No problems.
how would this compare to valvomax ?
How has this worked out for you in the long term? I'm considering putting it on an off-road rig it's going to get pumped around a bunch, but I'm assuming your race car would see more abuse.
Try a sparkplug wrench from a motorcycle tool kit. They are thin wall.
What about a metal shaving getting under the valve that doesn't allow the valve to close fully?
Presumably you'd see some oil in the dust cap and would clue you into needing to remove and replace it. Metal shavings sounds like a bigger problem to worry about though...
Can you confirm whether you had the oil fill cap loosed/removed or not during the drain timing tests?
I'm sure you know this already but this helps alleviate pressure inside the engine and drain oil faster.
Thanks for the indept review.
Yes, it was removed. Although, tbh, half the time I forget and I've never noticed it makes any difference.
@@CliffsGarage Gotcha, thanks!
The ValvoMax drains much faster, has a 10qt, reusable drain bag/container so no messy transfer from pan to container. Designed and Made in the USA by a veteran.
I also prefer external rather than internal hex drain plugs. However, I have had cars with internal hex plugs that survived 20+ oil changes without issue. The problem is that most people over torque fasteners, drain plugs in particular. And even manufacturers tend to specify higher than necessary torque values. I generally use about 90% of the manufacturer’s recommended torque value. This is more than enough to keep the plug in place and removal isn’t so hard that it distorts the internal hex drive. Use a good torque wrench each time you insert the drain plug and reduce the torque to 90% of spec and your plugs will last the life of the car in most cases.
So we have this system, also paid for it ourselves. Great, the need now is we still have to use all all the same oil change equipment because you have a oil filter to deal with.
How much oil is stll left in engine with the valve protruding into the oil pan?
Good Question. I have the same question.
@@dandaly1868 all designs out there have the same problem and the opening for draining is cut in half as well.
If the oil pan is sheet metal, it has a threaded insert that extends inward of the inner surface of the pan as far as the thread of either the plug or the valve...in other words, it makes no difference.
Need a push down and turn cap to stop cap from vibrating off
I agree
I ordered one a few minutes before watching this video. I am probably going to cancel it because I was planning to put it on my Ford turbo diesel that has a 15 quart capacity. Oil drain time would be a whole day!
We have tested our drain valves for oil drain flow rates. When the engine oil is warmed to operating temperature, it will be just shy of a minute per quart of oil. This was with 5W-30 fully synthetic and our M14 drain valve. Oil temperature was 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
For me it's an issue with the valve being the part that allows the oil to flow, what if the valve gets debris in it and sticks partially open? Or goes bad? Nope, will stick with the simple plug. Thanks
If you have that much debris in the engine, I think you have bigger problems :)
❤️ your 👕.
i agree with you, at first i was like that now i have fumoto drain valves on all of my cars, they all have a locked lever and i never had an issue with any of them, i like this design also but accessories makes it not a fast oil change when i need to look for another item to change the oil
It's basically the stainless steel version of the toyota oil filter drain cap. Nice.
Any leaks since?
Not a drop!
Fumoto drain
Now we just need a neater way to switch the oil filter! That's the REAL mess.....
you at least mentioned about the issues with the valve while the rest are just focus on how easy to drain but not to mention the negative sides of it.
That's an awful lot of additional effort just because you don't want to unscrew the oil drain bolt. you know, you could put a big funnel right underneath the drain hole. there are even funnels with long tubes underneath. when I change my oil, I always hold the bolt up against the threads as I am loosening it. when it is fully loose, then I quickly pull it to the side as the oil rushes out.
btw, Cliff, I ordered a screw on oil filter adapter per your suggestion, from LN. not only is that more convenient but it increases oil pressure which is a good thing in these cars.
ultimately, I'm going to buy a 2009+ 987.2 like yours which has a completely different engine from the .1. the M97 mostly solved the IMS problem but then added oil starvation as a feature. The .2 has 4 oil pickups (vs 2).
In addition to it being cleaner, another added benefit to this is that since it only gets installed once, you don’t need to worry about ever stripping a drain plug.
All the additional effort is a one time event. For all one's future oil changes...
Most vehicles draining the oil is not difficult or messy. No reason to overcomplicate things. I’m sure this doesn’t allow all the oil to drain either same as all the other valve systems. At that point just use an oil extractor.
Need drilled holes on side of thread that goes into oil pan so that all oil is drain out
Excellent thpught
Releasing my magnet tipped drain plug also removes any foreign particulates thats been collected on the bottom, using these quick drain valves do not.
There’s a chance of loosing the drain hose and you having a very bad day! 😊
More like an irritating day. But that's a good point.
Ok 4 minutes in and we can see a fairly nasty flaw, despite how much we should appreciate Votex for being creative and of course different drain-plug options are always needed in unique cases. So the whole thing relies on a rubber O-ring at the top of the internal spring valve. Guys we are draining contaminated USED motor oil all over and around that O-ring at every service. You don't think some (tiny but numerous) metal fragments and gunk/sludge might foul that little rubber ring??
I am open to some fair counterpoints here as we could all benefit.
EDIT: Reading comments below and it seems several veteran mechanics are mentioning that these style of valves (several brands included) all are known to develop leaks. Hmm. Wonder why?
That t-shirt just lost you a subscription. Sir! 😆
So you can never take it in for an oil change after that installation. You must always do it yourself.
Well, yeah, of course. This product is aimed at DIYers, nobody who has their oil changed at your local Jiffy Lube would ever even consider it. If you want to start letting others change your oil, you take 5 minutes and swap it back to a traditional plug.
This is a copy of the Sure Drain Valve made in the 90's. They went out of business....Wonder why?
I don’t know what the big deal is removing the OEM drain plug. I guess you save 3 minutes doing an oil change? Maybe not because it takes oil longer to drain. Not for me
Whats the life expectancy of that O-ring?