Fumoto Drain Valve Guide, Install and Review for 5th Gen 4Runner

So the dreaded day has finally arrived, your 4Runner’s Toyota Care has expired. Now, it’s time to think about doing your own oil changes, but changing your own oil is so messy. Unscrewing the oil drain plug and hopefully, the oil hits the pan and doesn’t splash everywhere. Afterward, you have to awkwardly pour the used oil into a container for transport to the recycling facility. All of this just sounds like a pain, right? Well, what if I told you there’s a product out there that can make this whole process a breeze?

Introducing the Fumoto valve.

This is a ball valve that replaces your oil drain plug. Made in Japan, the valve consists of a forged brass body paired with stainless steel hardware and a chrome-plated brass ball valve.

Their valves come in different configurations, each with a different size profile and drain tube connectors. The valve has a spring-loaded locking feature to prevent accidental opening, but as an extra precaution, it also includes a locking clip for added peace of mind.

Find it online:

• F133: Check Price
• F133S w/Hose Kit: Check Price
• F133N w/Hose Kit: Check Price

Interested? Please read on.

F133: The Original

The original Fumoto valve is the most compact of the three; however, it is also the only one that cannot be fitted with a drain hose.

Since the 4Runner drains straight down, a funnel or a wide-mouthed bottle can be used to minimize the mess.

Specifications

• Thread Size: M12-1.25
• Body: Forged Brass
• Handle: Stainless Steel
• Spring: Stainless Steel
• Ball: Chrome Plated Brass

F133S: Short Nipple Oil Drain Valve

The F133S comes with a short nipple, and it uses a hose connector to connect itself to a drain hose.

Specifications are the same as the F133, but with the addition of the following:

• Nipple Diameter: 3/8″
• Nipple Length: 0.2″

The hose kit for the F133S comes with two connectors: a straight and a 90-degree bend. Both connectors have locking features that secure them to the short nipple. If additional tubing is required, these connectors use tubing with a 3/8″ inner diameter.

Here is the drain tube connector connected to the valve. Always make sure the connector is seated securely on the valve before draining.

F133N: Long Nipple Oil Drain Valve

The F133N is the longest of the three because its nipple also serves as a connector for the drain hose. Simply connect a 3/8-inch inner-diameter drain hose to it, and it’ll be ready to go.

Specifications are the same as the F133, but with the addition of the following:

• Nipple Diameter: 3/8″
• Nipple Length: 0.5″

Here is the drain tube connected to the valve. This is probably the most secure connection to the drain tube.

Installation

Tools & Materials:

• Brake Cleaner
• Shop Towels
• 3/4″ Open-End Wrench

Step 1. Remove Oil Drain Plug

Drain the oil from your engine like you would during an oil change. For reference on how to do an oil change, check out the article done by one of our Trail4Runner writers, Clint Taylor, here.

Step 2. Clean Oil Drain Area

Using some brake cleaner, clean the area around the drain. Make sure the area is completely clean, and the area making contact with the Fumoto valve is flat.

Step 3. Installing the Valve

1. Install the blue fiber gasket onto the Valve.
2. Thread the valve into the oil pan by hand and make sure that the valve doesn’t cross-thread during the install.
3. Once the valve bottoms out on the oil pan and can no longer be tightened by hand, use a 3/4″ open-end wrench on the valve body and tighten it further by a 1/4 turn. Alternatively, you could also use a crows foot and torque the valve to 15 ft lbs.

Step 4. Close the Valve and Install

1. Make sure the valve is closed and the lever clip (locking) is installed.
2. Fill up the engine with new oil.
3. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes, and check for leaks.
4. Clean off the oil drain access panel and reinstall it.
5. Check back after a drive to verify that the valve is leak-free.

Using The Valve

I went with the F133S because it is the most compact valve that can be attached to a drain hose. Simply remove the locking clip, connect the drain hose, open the valve, and gravity will do the rest. This setup makes draining oil a mess-less breeze.

*Close the valve during container switches to minimize spill

Final Thoughts

I’ve had the Fumoto F133S valve on my 4Runner ever since my Toyota Care expired. At the time of writing this article, I had just completed my 65K oil change, and the valve has been leak-free and issue-free. In my opinion, Fumoto valves have been one of the best mods I’ve done to my 4Runner in regards to DIY maintenance, and I recommend them to anyone who does their own oil changes.