Fumoto drain valve

oldnavy · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:16 am

truckbouy2 wrote:

Back in December 2006 I sent a note to VM Motori inquiring about the size of the oil pan drain plug in the R428 DOHC.....
Ms. Nicola Frabetti was very kind and helpful and informed me that it is a: M22x1.5mm.
AND I do believe Fomoto has one in that size.
Order one and see if she fits....
And MANY THANKS again to Ms. Frabetti. She has been very kind and helpful answering many of my CRD engine questions.

When I changed my oil the first time I took the plug to hardware to find same size bolt or a nut that would fit so as to order a Fumoto didn't have any luck. I seem to remember it was close to an M22-1.5mm thread bolt but it would not take an M22-1.5 nut on the bolt.

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:37 am

Interesting...I thought for sure the VM'ers wouldn't slip us bad poop.
I don't have a fumoto on the Princess's ride, prefer the original plug. I've got one on my 03 Dodge Cummins....3 gallons of oil drains mighty slow out of that ol' valve. Good idea but too small hole.

Jeger · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:54 am

oldnavy wrote:

Jeger wrote:

Is there any reason I couldnt take a stock drain plug and drill and tap it for whatever thread size your valve is? What is that thread size anyhow.

EDIT: Actually perhaps thats what you could do to save on the adaptors. I dont know how much the plugs cost, but I would hope it is cheaper than machining your own. Something to look into perhaps.

There is NO, repeat NO actual thread size, that is why it is refered to in the trade as a "bast@rd" thread. They have used a special thread cut that no one has a die or tap for, size is cut special for the plug and no one else can match w/o great expence.

Actually your way would probably double or tripple the cost, because you add an extra machining step that has no way to secure the bolt w/o damaging the threads. It is cheaper to buy a blank piece w/o threads to be damaged when clamping and just drill the center then cut threads, or possible start with hollow stock then cut threads.

I was wondering what the thread size on the valve is.

The new drain plugs are a hex head bolt not a recessed allen head, you could grip the Drain plug by the hex head while drilling and tapping for the valve.

I have no doubt the adaptor was done right, but now that bulk of his sales for this item seem to be gone, perhaps modifying the factory plug will make one offs profitable for him.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:14 am

Jeger wrote:

I have no doubt the adaptor was done right, but now that bulk of his sales for this item seem to be gone, perhaps modifying the factory plug will make one offs profitable for him.

It is not really a part problem (cheaper part) but a volume thing. Remember we are only a couple hundred here on the forum and many of those are here only here because of the 4x4 section and not goingf to spend time here or may npt be interested in any thing related to the engine or trsanny. If we had 35,000 members like the TDI forum it would be different.

valkraider · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:02 am

So how much do small volumes actually cost, Like say 20, and Greg - if you don't want to do it could you share the specs/design with another machine shop if we found one that would?

This seems highly odd, as I do lots of stuff with motorcycles - versions that have US sales not much more than the CRD Liberty - and they make all sorts of small volume machine shop things. Lots. Like I know a "company" (a couple guys) who machine oil filter adapters to go from a drop in cartridge to a spin on. Or guys who machine handle bar risers. Things like that.

They are not cheap, but the people want them - the two blocks of two inch aluminum machined into handle bar risers cost > $100. But they sell well.

I am not sure I understand what the barrier to making more Fumoto adapters is. Just advertise them for what it costs - and see who bites. I know that I would pay more since I understand the cost of low volume manufacturing and that I missed the initial lot. I suspect some others would too.

Sometimes it is not about making a huge profit on a particular piece, but instead establishing a good core of happy customers who will come back for years and buy your other products too.

But alas, I digress...

oldnavy · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:54 pm

valkraider wrote:

Sometimes it is not about making a huge profit on a particular piece, but instead establishing a good core of happy customers who will come back for years and buy your other products too.

But alas, I digress...

Buttering him up are you. :wink:

LanduytG · **Joined:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:59 am **Posts:** 188

The 22mm-1.5 is the transfer case . The oil pan is smaller. But I did just order more adapters and I'm sure it will take a year or more to get rid of them. It will be 5-6 weeks before I have them in my hands.

greg

Flying J · **Posted:** Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:28 am

Thanks Greg. I'll be first (or close to it) in line!

Fumoto drain valve

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