Sure Drain from Fram

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Sun Nov 09, 2003 9:32 pm

I just did an oil change and since I was going to be doing them myself from now on, I wanted to install a Sure Drain oil plug from Fram. For those of you who haven't seen one of these yet, it is a replacement drain plug that has an actuator valve in it. You screw the drain hose onto it and it pushes the actuator up, letting the oil drain out. It also comes with a dust cover to keep it clean between oil changes. When I looked them up, the Vibe or Matrix was not listed. So I looked up a 2002 Celica GTS, got the part number and decided to give it a try. With the Celica GTS and Vibe GT having the same engine, the drain plug fit perfect. I can't wait to do my next oil change with it. It should be a lot easier and less messy. The part number is SD3 and it was $12.95.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Sun Nov 09, 2003 10:20 pm

Looks useful. Can you do a test the next oil change? After you use the SureDrain to drain all the oil, remove the SureDrain plug and see if any more oil comes out, just to see if it sticks up into the pan enough to keep the last bit of oil from draining. Now if they could only come up with a way to do something similar for the oil filter. That's where I make the most mess.

agbhyde · Post by **agbhyde** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:13 am

upon looking for the fram quick drain, i found some discussion rerferring to the "Fumoto Drain". Many have said that it drains faster.http://htp://www.fumotovalve.comthe "n-type" has an extension to attach a hose. The regular type does not. I found it a few dollars cheaper here:http://lubespecialist.com/prod...umotoThey also sell a safety ring, but it just looks like a hose clamp you could pick up anywhere.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:14 am

IIRC, many people said the suredrain was a sure failure...

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 4:33 am

Is it really that difficult to put a bucket under your car and remove the oil drain plug?

agbhyde · Post by **agbhyde** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 4:35 am

I was told that it added 5hp due to better aerodynamic shape!?!?!?!?

wicked1981 · Post by **wicked1981** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 4:55 am

Quote, originally posted by ebslopp Â»Is it really that difficult to put a bucket under your car and remove the oil drain plug? Anything that makes things easier/faster is always good.

ToolGuy · Post by **ToolGuy** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:15 am

IMO, I would not use it or trust it... If you are already under there to me it is just as easy to grab a wrench and use it instead. What if the valve becomes lazy in really cold weather and starts to leak? Sure Fail by FRAM. If it were so great, vehicles would come with one.Just My O...

ebslopp · Post by **ebslopp** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:24 am

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy Â»IMO, I would not use it or trust it... If you are already under there to me it is just as easy to grab a wrench and use it instead. What if the valve becomes lazy in really cold weather and starts to leak? Sure Fail by FRAM. If it were so great, vehicles would come with one.Just My O...I agree with this. If you're in a rush, just take it to a quick-lube or something.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:31 am

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy Â» If it were so great, vehicles would come with one.No they wouldn't, 1. the automakers want you to take your vehicle in to the dealer to change the oil for $39.95 not do it in your driveway.2. if every vehicle had one the price of each vehicle would go up $100.00. JMHO

wicked1981 · Post by **wicked1981** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:41 am

check this one out too.http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2029/article.html

Ponyota · Post by **Ponyota** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:34 am

Looks like a good idea if your driving alot of hard miles and need to change the oil alot. I think the dust cover would keep the oil from leaking out if the valve was to fail also. I personaly think its a neat idea, but I don't think I would need one.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:32 am

My issue when changing oil is not so much with the drain plug, but more with the spillover from the filter.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 12:22 pm

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»My issue when changing oil is not so much with the drain plug, but more with the spillover from the filter.thats part of being in "Miller Time" living the high life.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 12:23 pm

Big_Red · Post by **Big_Red** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 6:10 am

I also saw it today at Canadian Tire and wondered whether it is really that much better....but I figure, for the little time it takes to change the oil, why bother...

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:19 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»eh?Miller Beer commercials in the indiana area"livin the High life"

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 11:16 am

Do we have any long-term updates on this product?I'm tempted to get either this, or the fumoto, on my next oil change, but want someone who's used it on here to let me know if it's worth the money...Anything I can install to help with oil changes over the winter would be awesome...

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:30 pm

Anyone?????

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 10:03 pm

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»Do we have any long-term updates on this product?Triton said he put one on his car a year ago, maybe IM him and ask him to post an update ...

esjones · Post by **esjones** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 11:00 pm

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy Â»If you are already under there to me it is just as easy to grab a wrench and use it instead. Just My O...Is anyone else as stupid as me, and has to stop and figure out which way to turn the wrench when lying face-up on a creeper?

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 11:48 pm

Quote, originally posted by esjones Â»Is anyone else as stupid as me, and has to stop and figure out which way to turn the wrench when lying face-up on a creeper? Righty tightylefty looseyno matter what

Baltovibe · Post by **Baltovibe** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:15 am

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish Â»Do we have any long-term updates on this product?I installed the Fram Sure-Drain on one of my cars last year, and seems to work fine. The valve is heavy-spring loaded, and takes a lot to open it, so it appears it would not open on its own. The hose attachment when screwed on, opens the valve.When done, there is a brass cap with an O-ring that screws on the valve, so that even if the valve failed, the cap would seal the valve.The drain hole where the valve is located, is very small, though. If you look at the pic below you can see that the drain hole is much smaller than using the regular drain plug. So, it is very slow draining, but no mess, and you can use a one gallon milk bottle to catch the oil without using a drain pan.I took off the drain valve when finished just to see how much oil might be left in the oil pan, and only got a few extra drops of oil that came out. So it seems to drain pretty completely.Of course, it doesn't fully eliminate the use of a drain pan ... I still had to use that for the oil filter.

Pick · Post by **Pick** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:24 am

I've used them before and love them. Less tools i have to take out there the better.

binary · Post by **binary** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 9:31 am

Toss my two cents in on this one too...I had racked up 140k on my V6 contour - about 8-10k between the 6qt Mobil1 oil changes... after about the third time I had to fish out the drain plug from my oil catch pan... I got one of these.I'd have to say it fricken rocks and was worth the few bucks in not having to remember what size metric bolt I had, which way to turn it, and if I remembered to double check if it was tight after I was done.It drained a little slower - but was still done by the time I had the filter replaced. When you remove the drain hose, the valve closes tight - not a drop. And the dust cover has a rubber o-ring and all are machined aluminum that fit really well.I've never had any oil waiting for me in the dust cap - other than a drop or two that may have been on the outside of the valve from the last change.I wish I would have remembered to remove them from the Escape and Contour we traded in... ( )I can honestly say I'll be getting two of these on my first oil changes.

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:25 am

GM had something like this a few years ago. The only dealers that pushed it were those with detached quik-lubes. They had a vacuum assist that would basically suck about 5 qts of oil out in less than a minute.

binary · Post by **binary** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:44 pm

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy Â»GM had something like this a few years ago. The only dealers that pushed it were those with detached quik-lubes. They had a vacuum assist that would basically suck about 5 qts of oil out in less than a minute. Must.....not.....post.....argh.... can't help myself.....That sucks!... sorry, I tried.

ALi3N · Post by **ALi3N** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 2:46 pm

I have used the fram suredrain on my vibe since it was new and my previous car for a total of a year and a half. I will never change oil without one again. Never a problem with it to speak of, even the 3000 miles i drove it without the dust cover (oops). In my opinion they are god's give to grease monkeys...well worth the measly 13 bucks.

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:02 am

Well, I just bought one for my car and my fiance's car, It'll be awhile until I really get to test them out but I think they will make life much easier.

Man of Steel · Post by **Man of Steel** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:44 pm

Looks kinda neat but I don't think its worth the money.

Pick · Post by **Pick** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:17 pm

Quote, originally posted by Man of Steel Â»Looks kinda neat but I don't think its worth the money.Oh it's worth it, especially if some grease monkey overtightens your drain bolt and strips it out, i bought a used car that someone had done that to. Plus you never have to worry about getting your wrench or fingers oily when you take it off or put it on. You just screw on the hose and let it drain.Don't forget there are many vehicles that when the oil drains from the hole it can run down the pan and drip on other stuff making a mess all over. It's money well spent for a conveinence.

Mr. Poopypants · Post by **Mr. Poopypants** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:51 pm

I just installed mine last night. Now I have to wait for 5-6 thousand miles to change the oil to see how well it works. And before you ask, I use Mobile 1 and replace the filter (Purolator PureOne) @ 2500 to 3000 miles and top the oil off.

m4VibeGT · Post by **m4VibeGT** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:28 pm

I also installed the Fram SureDrain on all my cars, including the Vibe, two years ago and haven't had any problems with them. It eliminates guessing where to put the oil pan to make sure you catch the initial big gush of oil after you remove the drain plug. Also, as mentioned before, you don't have to deal with fishing the drain plug from the oil drain pan, which usually happens to me 3 out of 5 times I change my oil.

Man of Steel · Post by **Man of Steel** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:57 am

Sorry, but I was referring to the Fumoto oil drain valve discussed on page one. The FRAM sure drain might be worth looking into.

binary · Post by **binary** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:41 am

I got one of the fram quick change drain plugs on both vibes... I don't have to jack it up to drain it. That right there cuts my oil change time in half. And like M4Vibe says, you don't have to go fishing for the plug.You skinny guys and gals may not, but lets say... I need more clearence to go wrenching under my car.

Baltovibe · Post by **Baltovibe** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:14 pm

It appears that Fram has discontinued its SureDrain product. When my earlier post lost its pic from Fram, I did a search on both Fram's website and Google, and SureDrain is not mentioned at all anymore on Fram's website.Needless to say, I am running out today to try to find a SD3 before they sell out completely, as I haven't upgraded my Vibe yet.

Pick · Post by **Pick** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:24 pm

Thanks for the heads up, i'm going to look for one also before they're gone.

binary · Post by **binary** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:46 am

Oh no! Phew - glad I got mine. I'm not surprised though - when I went to AutoZone looking for them last summer, I could only find one. And when I wondered when they were getting more in - the idiot behind the counter more or less called me stupid for using it.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:23 am

I had a quik drain on my dodge bickup. Took it off after first use. WHY ?Because drain time os very slow. Because it leaves oil in the pan. That last few ounces full of crud. I did get my drain plug magnetised so it will collect more wear debris . Hope there is some iron parts in that motor.Chris

Cougar Vibe · Post by **Cougar Vibe** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:41 am

I've got them on two of my vehicles and have been very happy with them. Two things to note: 1) Make sure you follow the torque suggestion in the package for your specific valve.2) It does take ~twice as long to drain your pan; however, I drain my overnight so it's not really an issue.As for the "left over oil issue," I think it's sort of a misnomer. Every engine still has oil in it when the plug is pulled and the filter removed. The thicker oil/sludge that may or may not be in your pan is not going to come out via a normal oil change. As for wear metals, they should be lodged in your oil filter media, not in the bottom of your oil pan. If one were to have any wear metals there, it would mean they have far bigger problems than a Sure Drain valve (ie, metal pieces so large as not to become suspended in oil and pass through the filter would mean you've got a serious issue).

the1stacekiller · Post by **the1stacekiller** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:52 am

I have it on my V6 Contour and it saves me a huge mess.. The V6 Engine (when doing an oil change) pisses out oil all over the place, exhaust, engine EVERYWHERE.. I love the FRAM sure drain on my car.. But the Vibe doesn't have these issues and its usually a really clean, really easy oil change..But if you really want one, they work really well.CheersMartin

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