With a little over 1,000 miles on the car it was time for the first oil change. As I've done on my past two vehicles (Jeep Wrangler, Subaru WRX) over the years, I purchased a Fumoto oil drain valve. These little nuggets make changing oil a tool free task and are well worth the $20. An added benefit is that it makes sampling your oil very easy if you want to do any oil analysis.

A trick I picked up on the WRX boards is to use a dremel and notch the top few threads of the oil valve to allow every last drop to drain out of the pan--the threaded portion of the new valve is longer than the thickness of the oil pan and this allows full draining (yes, it is ****... ). I stacked 3 abrasive wheels on my dremel and put four grooves, two threads down, in a cross pattern.

For the install, just wrap some teflon tape around the threads, screw it in until snug, then use a wrench to tighten the last 1/4 to 1/2 turn to align it.

 

Is the oil pan on this car aluminum or steel? On my old Accord I stripped the threads on it because it had a cheap stamped aluminum pan which only had 1 or 2 threads on it. I think these are great for aluminum pans.

 

Not sure if it is aluminum or steel (I'll tote a magnet next time I'm under there), but the threaded area is about 1/4" thick, so shouldn't much of a worry about stripping threads (unlike my WRX where it was about half that thick). I just like it for the ease of future oil changes--slid pan under, flip lever and drain, flip lever back and head to the filter.

Also makes it easier to take samples--I'll be sending samples from every change to Blackstone labs.

 

Darn, wish I would have read this prior to changing my oil earlier today. Oh well, maybe I'll install it in the spring. Was the F-106 part number (14mm x 1.5) the correct size for 4.6L Mustang?

 

Do you safety wire the valve handle to prevent inadvertent draining? This looks like a cool item, but I'd be **** about worrying that somehow the thing would leak or get turned somehow.

 

Yup, that's the correct part number. You can also get a version with a nipple to attach a hose for easier draining (that's what I had on my Jeep), but I didn't feel comfortable with the clearance in stock form (soon to be dropped) as that would become one of the low points--I was worried a speed bump could do some damage.

 

I don't and never have used one. There is a fairly deep detent/safety lock mechanism that locks it into place (the lever is spring loaded). Additionally, it is a pretty tight valve, so even when pulling the lever out of the detent against the spring force, it still takes a good amount of effort to open it.

I used one for 5+ years on my Jeep with plenty of off-road adventures and never once was it an issue. Two years on my WRX without issue, also. I didn't hesitate in ordering one for the Mustang.

Here's the link to the site: http://www.fumotovalve.com/ I think they do offer a little spring/wire clip if you really want to use it.

 

Here is link to their faqs: http://www.fumotousa.com/faq.htm. It states that the F Series should uses a 5/8" hose clip. If you want the added safety.