The post whore thread.

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

What do you mean by that statement about the valves? What are the downsides? Seems that it would make changing the oil much simpler and cleaner for a commoner like myself.

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every thing made has a weak spot. Those levers................ Remember Cardboard is maintenance free.......................Till it Rains . jes saying.
IF you know / learn how to install a drain plug, oil filter etc correctly. HAND TIGHT then 1/4 turn or as directed on the filter package. You should not encounter a problem removing it. I've had vehicles come in where we needed to air chisel the fvken filter off. Low pressure of course. Hand tight MEANS HAND TIGHT!.

OBC has many a year in repairs. I have well,.. a few behind me ;) Seeing what works over time and what doesn't, on a daily basis, it's easier to use stock items.

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Originally Posted by Irving

Got the drain plug out. Fuck you Ford/Mexico.

OBC: I was the one who put it on so tight apparently. Which is weird because I know better.

HoneyBadger: I would put one of those Fumuto valves on my daily driver street cars, but not on my Amigo. I'd probably break it off on a rock on a trail.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x...28HDR%2529.jpg

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looking at the plug. If something were to happen (for future reference) I would have ground 2 flats on each side, to give the flat jaw vise grip better purchase. You want to try getting the vise grip as flush with the base of the plug as possible. That area is less likely to round off. One other item for you DIY's USE a 6 not 12pt when removing hard to budge nuts.

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

looking at the plug. If something were to happen (for future reference) I would have ground 2 flats on each side, to give the flat jaw vise grip better purchase. You want to try getting the vise grip as flush with the base of the plug as possible. That area is less likely to round off. One other item for you DIY's USE a 6 not 12pt when removing hard to budge nuts.

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Sometimes going metric vs SAE or visa versa and tapping it on a little with a light hammerfor is a trick that can work as well. Like you say, just get a good purchase on it first. Using an impact socket that won't split may be advised as well.

Thanks for the pic Irving...yeah, I have a socket rail that would have taken that out in no time. Brutal is right, sometimes tapping a metronic socket onto stripped standard size head will work great.

HB, I wouldn't use those oil drain valves because of the concerns that Jim, and Irving mentioned about his Amigo on a trail. All you have to hit with your car, is a dip you didn't know was ahead of you..... and that thing will get broken off and you're hosed. Seriously, if you smack something on the highway or drag an oil pan with the stock plug, you'll most likely be able to get home and deal with it later. I understand the good idea about it, but that's why I wouldn't outfit any of my cars with it.

Hittin' the hay and hope I sleep well....I cheated myself of decent sleep last night, shouldn't do it two nights in a row..lol.

An impact is exactly what rounded that bolt off so cleanly. I tried going down in size from 13mm to 12mm to pound a socket on, but it wasn't having it. I should have tried pounding on a 1/2in socket. I considered filing it flat on a side, but I wasn't sure why. Filing for vise grip purchase makes sense.

Thanks for all the thoughts on the drain valves, everyone. I think I'll definitely consider it for Mrs. HoneyBadger's daily driver. I'll have to take a good look under the Xterra to see what the situation is and how protected that area is, and then I'll decide if it's worth it.

Good morning.

Sure HB.. :) Yeah, if the oil pan drain is higher than the lowest part of the engine cross member, you'll probably be alright.

Glad you got the plug out, Irving. I can't find the sockets I'm talking about so you can see what I mean...but they're knurled/curved in a reverse fashion, and have sharp "teeth" that drive themselves into the sides of the stripped bolt head. As you apply pressure to back the bolt out, the teeth dig into the damaged bolt head and it comes right out 99% of the time.

I can take a pic of them tomorrow, they're pretty neato.

Today is repair/service the autos day.

The Mopar gets new shocks and tire rotation and the Toy gets a new brake line that has a hole from rubbing bracket.

Wish I had the $70 for custom fitted steel braided lines instead of spending an hour fabricating/bending the tube from parts house. Need it on the road tomorrow and can't wait for parts to ship in either.

Good luck with everything, Lobo.

Alright, raise your hand if you've ever come across a big spider web in your yard somewhere, and then actually looked for a little bug to toss into it. Spiders can do some cool shit. lol.