Fumoto valve for generator

[baraff]

I want to install Fumoto valves for both my Onan MicroQuiet 4000 generator and the Ford 6.8L V10. The Ford is a no brainer, but I'm confused over the Onan. On my generator there is a small access door on a pan that has to be removed to access the drain plug. I'm not sure if this is an Onan feature or if the pan was added by Winnebago. I worried about clearance and being able to install the valve. The drain plug is recessed.
Has anyone run into this before?

[twinboat]

My Thors Onan generator has the little panel under the drain plug, so it's not the RV builder who puts it there.

If you use the valve, it will be sticking out of the hole.

As far as the engine, if you use the valve on a class C, it will also be the lowest thing hanging down, lower then the axles.

I change my oil once a year, using a wrench on the factory drain plug was never a big deal. I removed the drain valve from my rig, didn't want it hanging down.

[SLOweather]

Install a suitable pipe nipple and coupling to move the valve below the pan.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by SLOweather

Install a suitable pipe nipple and coupling to move the valve below the pan.

The generator drain is not pipe thread and may be a metric thread. It seals with a washer.

[Dutch Star Don]

I have the Fumoto valve on my main engine and love it. However, the Onan generators are such sloooow drainers, I don't know if I would make it even slower with a Fumoto valve. Because the Onan drains so slow, any little wind gust and its spraying oil. I use a tall container so it's right up under the drain plug. I remove the plug and do other things while I let it drain.

[baraff]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I have the Fumoto valve on my main engine and love it. However, the Onan generators are such sloooow drainers, I don't know if I would make it even slower with a Fumoto valve. Because the Onan drains so slow, any little wind gust and its spraying oil. I use a tall container so it's right up under the drain plug. I remove the plug and do other things while I let it drain.

This is a good point. One of the reasons I want to put a Fumoto valve on the the Onan is because no matter what I do I end up with oil spraying everywhere. The Fumoto valve I'm looking at has a nipple on it where I can attach a piece of tubing to hopefully eliminate the wind blowing the oil all over.
But it is a slow drainer, and I wonder with the added restriction of the 3/8" tubing whether it will drain at all, or completely. Not sure it's worth the hassle?

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by baraff

This is a good point. One of the reasons I want to put a Fumoto valve on the the Onan is because no matter what I do I end up with oil spraying everywhere. The Fumoto valve I'm looking at has a nipple on it where I can attach a piece of tubing to hopefully eliminate the wind blowing the oil all over.
But it is a slow drainer, and I wonder with the added restriction of the 3/8" tubing whether it will drain at all, or completely. Not sure it's worth the hassle?

Just find a tall gallon jug that sits under the drain valve so the oil won't blow around. I also save cardboard from deliveries (usually 3' x 3') and put them on the ground when I do oil changes. When done, I toss them.

[LETMGROW]

Removing the oil fill cap will speed up the oil draining. I never change oil in any engine without warming the engine up some before draining the oil either.
Pull the plug and it's beer #1 time.

[Don Holden]

We tried it once years ago, left a lake of oil in a town in North Carolina and the fire and police were not happy. It hangs way to low and any potential bump will break it off. Luckily there was a NAPA and we purchased 4 different size oil drain plugs and one of them fit and then 27 qts of oil later we were back on the road.

[ROUGHRIDER3]

What's the hurry? Just let it drain while you do other service items on the coach, tire pressure, engine oil check ect. Just don't forget the plug is out and no oil.