Shop vac trick for Fumoto valve confirmed

[HD4Mark]

We just finished replacing the drain plug in our Cummins ISC with a Fumoto valve. I had read about using a shop vac with the hose stuck in the oil fill to create a negative pressure so the plug could be removed without losing any oil. I will admit to being skeptical.

What the heck, going to do it anyway. Put the vac behind the MH and used a cone shaped attachment that made the diameter much smaller. Stuck the end in the oil filler tube, had DW hold it there and stand by to turn it on. I crawled under and started to unscrew the already loosened plug. When I thought it was about ready to start to drip I asked her to switch on the vac. I continued to remove the plug, Fomoto and wrench at my side ready for a quick swap if oil started to run into the pan. The 6 quart pan was not going to hold 20 quarts of oil. Out came the plug and a glorp glop noise started but not a drop of oil. Screwed in the new Fumoto valve hand tight and asked DW to shut off the vac. Tightened it up and good to go without any mess.

To change the oil I had a case of empty gallon jugs ready. Clamped a 5' piece of 3/8" plastic tubing on the Fumoto and stuck the other end in a jug on the side of the MH. Now all you have to do is open the valve and swap the hose into the next jug when one is full. One word of warning though, have lots of time to do this because the flow is neat but slow. I polished the rims while waiting.

[W4MBG]

nice job! gutsy too.

[Chuck 1935]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4Mark We just finished replacing the drain plug in our Cummins ISC with a Fumoto valve. I had read about using a shop vac with the hose stuck in the oil fill to create a negative pressure so the plug could be removed without losing any oil. I will admit to being skeptical. What the heck, going to do it anyway. Put the vac behind the MH and used a cone shaped attachment that made the diameter much smaller. Stuck the end in the oil filler tube, had DW hold it there and stand by to turn it on. I crawled under and started to unscrew the already loosened plug. When I thought it was about ready to start to drip I asked her to switch on the vac. I continued to remove the plug, Fomoto and wrench at my side ready for a quick swap if oil started to run into the pan. The 6 quart pan was not going to hold 20 quarts of oil. Out came the plug and a glorp glop noise started but not a drop of oil. Screwed in the new Fumoto valve hand tight and asked DW to shut off the vac. Tightened it up and good to go without any mess. To change the oil I had a case of empty gallon jugs ready. Clamped a 5' piece of 3/8" plastic tubing on the Fumoto and stuck the other end in a jug on the side of the MH. Now all you have to do is open the valve and swap the hose into the next jug when one is full. One word of warning though, have lots of time to do this because the flow is neat but slow. I polished the rims while waiting.

I did the same thing with my 330 CAT. I had heard about the slow flow so I used a very short hose bib. There were attachment holes in the engine block so I made a steel brace and guard so that nothing could knock the valve loose.
It sure makes it easy and clean filling the empty jugs.