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I've had a ValvoMax oil drain valve sitting on a shelf in my garage for about six months and I finally installed it today. It's well known that an oil change for a DB9 is a pain; you have to remove one of the throttle bodies to get to the oil filter, but you also really have to also remove the front undertray to take out the drain plug if you're not going to make a mess. That requires removing and reinstalling a LOT of screws!
I'd been thinking of installing an oil drain valve to avoid having to remove the undertray, but I was always worried about their reliability and ruggedness, especially those with a spigot-type valve. The ValvoMax eliminated those concerns. I like its low profile, and it has a failsafe design with both a ball-valve seal and a screw cap seal. Using it is a completely no-mess operation! Here's the ValvoMax installed (with the undertray removed) It extends about 3cm from the bottom of the oil pan, plus another 3mm or so for the little nubbie that holds the cap leash. Capped valve in place with undertray installed. It barely protrudes through the hole in the tray. Valve screw cap/cover removed (attached to valve by leash) Drain valve activator cap. Screwing this cap onto the valve body opens the valve to start oil flowing through the attached drain tube. Oil draining through tube attached to drain valve activator cap. The activator cap pushes open a spring-loaded ball valve to allow the oil to flow out, but until it's screwed in place, the ball seals the valve. The metal screw cap (on the leash) is a fail-safe that both protects the ball valve and retains the oil should the valve somehow fail.
I'm thinking of leaving the cap off all the time as I am a bit skittish about the possibility of shearing the thing off should I snag something along the road.......I probably think not but I am just that **** and tend to plan for worst case scenario.....Thoughts?
I'm thinking of leaving the cap off all the time as I am a bit skittish about the possibility of shearing the thing off should I snag something along the road.......I probably think not but I am just that **** and tend to plan for worst case scenario.....Thoughts?
I agree with this, even the slightest protrusion would worry me. I think I would leave the cap off too but either try and find a rubber hole bung the correct size, or make up a small alloy disc and cover the hole for dirt protection and either attach it with 2 or 3 self tappers, or some butyl tape, (that really black sticky stuff thats used to hold door panel vapour barriers in place). Great adhesion and could be easily levered off with a trim tool.
As a matter of interest, is the flow nice and fast with the oil hot to drop out all the contaminants in the oil?
The valve cover seems rather thick, comparing the height with/without.
Could probably be maschined down or replaced with a thinner one.
I would no want something sticking out there as well...
I've had a ValvoMax oil drain valve sitting on a shelf in my garage for about six months and I finally installed it today. It's well known that an oil change for a DB9 is a pain; you have to remove one of the throttle bodies to get to the oil filter, but you also really have to also remove the front undertray to take out the drain plug if you're not going to make a mess. That requires removing and reinstalling a LOT of screws!
I'd been thinking of installing an oil drain valve to avoid having to remove the undertray, but I was always worried about their reliability and ruggedness, especially those with a spigot-type valve. The ValvoMax eliminated those concerns. I like its low profile, and it has a failsafe design with both a ball-valve seal and a screw cap seal. Using it is a completely no-mess operation! Here's the ValvoMax installed (with the undertray removed) It extends about 3cm from the bottom of the oil pan, plus another 3mm or so for the little nubbie that holds the cap leash. Capped valve in place with undertray installed. It barely protrudes through the hole in the tray. Valve screw cap/cover removed (attached to valve by leash) Drain valve activator cap. Screwing this cap onto the valve body opens the valve to start oil flowing through the attached drain tube. Oil draining through tube attached to drain valve activator cap. The activator cap pushes open a spring-loaded ball valve to allow the oil to flow out, but until it's screwed in place, the ball seals the valve. The metal screw cap (on the leash) is a fail-safe that both protects the ball valve and retains the oil should the valve somehow fail.
I almost ordered it but then canceled it
When you remove oil filter on db9 it tends to leak oil even if you cover it with plastic bag so I usually have to clean up that area after the oil change and for that I have to remove underbelly pan. So those of you who are using these how do you get around it?
last time I think i could pull the oil filter without messing but maybe i did a bit, next time i will reinforce my ziplock bag at the bottom at least, with a large tape. i heard some have it broken while pulling it. mine didnt, or more on top but no oil was out.
