Thread: Easy oil change valve

The 4.4TDV8 in the L322 doesn't have a main drain plug at all, so a hose that connects to a low point on the side of the sump has to be pulled out of its connector. However after evacuation from the tube at the top, no oil is left to drain from the hose, so evacuating via the tube might remove more oil that pulling the hose. The turbo drain reservoir has a drain plug though.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

So its used because the drain plug is in a hard to drain location? (I have cars with that). eg: right above a cross member. What I do is use a small length of alfoil, fold it into a funnel and sit it on the crossmember. This guides the oil straight into the drain pan with no mess.

Which is all well and good. I fabricate all sorts of drain directors for my various bits of gear (when I say fabricate I use a lathe and turn up fun stuff that isn't folded alfoil, cut up milk bottles or single use), but for the stuff the Stahlbus fits I just "plug and play".

You do you, but to quote Jake Blues "Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ, I have seen the light!"

Also, short of getting sheared off, a Stahlbus isn't a Fumoto and can't just get switched on by itself. That video Ron posted is the sort of "I'm an idiot and used the wrong tool for the wrong job" that gives those sort of things a bad name. FMD, an exposed valve with an easily movable lever and the safety catch being broken for x months? That's the sort of "My diff has been leaking for 5 years and I never checked the oil, now it's making noise" that gets what they deserved.

Originally Posted by Graeme

The 4.4TDV8 in the L322 doesn't have a main drain plug at all, so a hose that connects to a low point on the side of the sump has to be pulled out of its connector. However after evacuation from the tube at the top, no oil is left to drain from the hose, so evacuating via the tube might remove more oil that pulling the hose. The turbo drain reservoir has a drain plug though.

Are you talking transmission? You can't be serious the engine doesn't have a sump plug

Originally Posted by BradC

Which is all well and good. I fabricate all sorts of drain directors for my various bits of gear (when I say fabricate I use a lathe and turn up fun stuff that isn't folded alfoil, cut up milk bottles or single use), but for the stuff the Stahlbus fits I just "plug and play".

You do you, but to quote Jake Blues "Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ, I have seen the light!"

Also, short of getting sheared off, a Stahlbus isn't a Fumoto and can't just get switched on by itself. That video Ron posted is the sort of "I'm an idiot and used the wrong tool for the wrong job" that gives those sort of things a bad name. FMD, an exposed valve with an easily movable lever and the safety catch being broken for x months? That's the sort of "My diff has been leaking for 5 years and I never checked the oil, now it's making noise" that gets what they deserved.

Oh, I wasn't criticising the fitting of this valve. I was just genuinely interested in why it would be needed. If its into a plastic sump or similar that easy strips out, it makes sense to fit "something" there that avoids damaging the threads.

I have five cars here at the moment that I'm servicing each year, and I was just wondering how a tap would make things easier In my case, I don't think it would. But every vehicle is different!

seeya
Shane L.

Advantage for me on the disco 4 was, time and mess. I had a hole drilled in the bash plate.. Drive in turn wheels left. Place drain tray. Reach in open valve. Loosen filter. Blah blah blah.. All done in 10 minutes.. Not a drop anywhere.. Very clean and efficient, so from that I'm a return customer. After an engine rebuild I've got plenty of quick oil changes coming up. So it's win win for me. Might be other products. Just sharing what I did and how I installed it for interest. I forgot about stahlbus. Might have a look at it for another job. They are not fit everything. Wife's Mazda won't take one that's for sure.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Are you talking transmission? You can't be serious the engine doesn't have a sump plug

The sump on the engine. At least its oil level and temperature sensor is mounted on the outside of the sump, unlike the 3.0 TDV6/SDV6 and the sump on the 4.4 SDV8 in the L405 and presumably the L494.

Originally Posted by BradC

Which is all well and good. I fabricate all sorts of drain directors for my various bits of gear (when I say fabricate I use a lathe and turn up fun stuff that isn't folded alfoil, cut up milk bottles or single use), but for the stuff the Stahlbus fits I just "plug and play".....

I hope the al-foil is degreased before it goes in the recycling bin.