Customer Reviews

Fram SD2 SureDrain Fast Access Oil Change Drain Plug System

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The SureDrain system by Fram, I thought would be a good idea for a clean, easy oil change, but I won't use it again. After my conventional oil change, I installed the SureDrain, no problems. When it came time for the first SureDrain oil change I unscrewed the brass cap and began to screw on the hose attachment to allow for draining. While turning the hose attachment, I noted there was not a swivel in the hose so I had to allow the hose to turn with the nut and also make sure the hose did not come off of the nut, it is just a slip on fit. Once the hose attachment was completely engaged, the oil began to drain, slowly. Note, the oil was warm so the slow draining was not due to oil temperature. When it was finished, down to a few drips, I removed the hose attachment. At this time I was curious, did all the oil drain from the pan? I removed the SureDrain valve attachment and noted at least a half quart more oil flooded out of the pan. I said to myself, "no thanks SureDrain". I put all the SureDrain aside and returned to the original drain plug. The SureDrain sounded like a good idea but if it prohibits all the oil from draining, I would rather not use it. Also the wrangling I had to go through screwing on the drain hose and hoping while doing this the hose didn't come off just when the oil decided to start draining, helped me decide to discard the SureDrain.

The previous reviewer (Tool Buyer "Don") wrote an excellent description of this product's flaws. Please read his review in addition to mine in order to get a more balanced view of this product.

This unit has a double-seal, so if that the first one should somehow fail, the second one (a brass cap with a soft gasket) will maintain oil pressure, probably indefinitely but definitely until the next oil change.

However, during the 6 years I used this, I never found so much as a single drop of oil in the brass cap, meaning that the main oil seal in this unit never leaked a drop.

I would not buy other products which don't have the redundant seal because valves can fail, and that's the last thing you want to have happen to an oil pan plug!

As far as the incomplete draining, my car's pan drains incompletely anyway (even when it's on a slope) so I end up changing the oil with cheap oil, running the engine for 5 to 10 minutes, then changing it again with the regular brand I use.. This flushes out all the old dirty oil. If you do that, then the incomplete drain issue shouldn't be a problem.

For my purposes, there's nothing better.

Thought I'd weigh in here on the Fram SureDrain. I have these on a 2006 Toyota Matrix and a 1992 Miata. I just ordered a third from Amazon for a 2007 Honda Fit. These have proved to be very reliable and easy to use. It greatly simplifies an oil change; I simply drain directly into a used oil container. I look on the slow draining (1.25 minutes/quart@180F according to Fram) as an advantage, as there is no splash, and I check over other things and change the oil filter as the oil is draining. Another review mentioned incomplete draining; a lot of pans from the nature of their design will not drain completely anyway. Fram states in the tech. paper on their website that the drain valve was engineered to not protrude into the pan to help facilitate drainage. Secondly, a few ounces of used oil that remains in the pan is in no way harmful to your engine. There's no point in obsessing over that small amount of oil; either in there or not, oil analysis would show no difference. Just make sure that you drain your oil hot and immediately after a shutdown. The dirt goes with the old oil.

Having had cars fitted with a Fumoto valve in the past (excellent quality product, just seemed more vulnerable to road damage than the Fram) and having tried vacuum extraction (does not work on all cars), these are still my weapon of choice to simplify and "de-mess" an oil change.

I highly recommend Suredrain. After 10 years of using this product on various autos, I'm still loving it. This thing saves time, mess, and in the case of two of my Hondas, I never again have to replace the washers under the oil plugs! You can use this IF your threads match and IF your oil drain hole is angled off the bottom of the oil pan (On my 2009 Civic the oil drain hole is completely horizontal at the lower rear of the oil pan. The smaller orifice of the Suredrain would retain an undesired amount of used oil in the pan).

I've done a few oil changes with the Fram SureDrain already in place and have come to the conclusion that for the price it's very good, but it has some minor flaws that may be an inconvenience for some.

First of all lets look at the pros. It's made of brass, it comes with a copper washer, it has a backup system if the valve fails, it's also low cost. Now lets look at the cons. You need to screw on a plunger cap with an attached hose to open the valve, the oil takes awhile to drain if you don't open the oil cap on top of your engine.

Now, for me the pros far outweigh the cons. In my experience the slow oil draining issue can be easily remedied if you just open the oil filler cap on the top of your engine to release pressure from the draining oil. By doing this it allows the oil to drain much faster. As to the stiff hose, it would've been better if the hose was made of soft silicone to allow it to flex while you screw the plunger cap on. That said, if you want to be creative you could probably buy a plastic valve to attach to the hose to allow more control over when you're ready to start the draining process instead of letting the plunger initiate it.

This Fram product sure makes changing oil a lot easier and eliminates the need for a new washer with each oil change...couldn't be happier with a product.

None of the chain auto parts stores carry this Fram product. They're nuts.

FRAM SD2 SURE DRAINFRAM SD3 SURE DRAINFRAM SD1 SURE DRAINFRAM SD4 SURE DRAIN
Agree with both of the other two reviewers. I like it enough to be googling to find online since I cannot find locally. Agree that tube is too stiff. I take off when screwing on brass piece which opens drain and then slip on tube, if I want. A nice piece of Tygon or other flexible tubing is always a replacement/upgrade option. Speed of drain is not an issue for me; I'm working on getting off the filter, anyway. Or rotating the tires or installing snowtires, depending on time of year. That not all oil is drained is a purist issue, in my opinion. Old oil being drained out today was good enough to be in engine yesterday; having 1/8th of it left with 3.5 quarts of good new oil with a new filter is GOOD ENOUGH. DIY!

I've had this on my 2004 elantra since the first year I had the car. With a set of Rihno plastic ramps, oil changes are quick. I had no failures with it in 6 years, and it is still installed in my car.

I've noticed some people saying it drains slow, the flow will increase significantly if you remove the oil filler cap which vents the air out. Also I have some oil put on the orange tube before inserting into the valve so when you screw it onto the valve the orange hose spins more freely without hindering the threading into the valve.

As stated by other reviews, the oil will drain slower when you use a Fram Sure Drain. Also, I really do not like the quality of the hose attachment (if you turn too much while draining, it has a tendency to come off the fitting, despite having a hose clip. That bypasses the whole purpose of the hose to begin with). With thoses short comings, I still like the Sure Drain. For one, I like that I do not have to replace crush rings at every oil change.( also you avoid possibly stipping the inner threads by over tightening) I had a Sure Drain on my older Mitsubishi (for over 5 years and 170k miles before trading it in)) and never had a drop of oil in the brass cover. The seal works and works well, period.

I address the slow draining by setting the hose into the oil receptacle and walking away for at least 10 minutes. The brass fitting and cover are well made. When installed, you will not have any oil running down your arms any more.

I ordered this because I lost the one I had before during a move. I love this product because it makes changing my oil so easy and clean. Yes, it does not drain nearly as fast as it would if you simply removed the drain plug, but who can't wait a few extra minutes right? I'm just surprised more DIY people do not use this product.