AW4 pan drain valve?

[Number21]

I like to drain and refill the pan on my '98 AW4 about every other oil change - I find this to be much cheaper than a full flush, and it's easy to do. I always feel like I'm going to strip out the threads on the drain plug, they don't seem very strong. Does anybody make any kind of drain valve that would work here in place of the plug? Sort of like the Fumoto oil drain valves?

With a drain valve I could probably do the whole job in under 10 minutes...

 

[ParadiseXJ]

I think you could probably just use the oil drain valve. You just need to be creative when searching it. It may not just pop up as XJ specific, but thread and length from another vehicle you may get a match.

AFAIK tranny fluid is a little more penetrative, just make sure you can use it for that purpose before you buy.

P.S. the threads on the pan are really plenty strong, just don't muscle it or cross thread it.

 

[lawsoncl]

I like to drain and refill the pan on my '98 AW4 about every other oil change - I find this to be much cheaper than a full flush, and it's easy to do. I always feel like I'm going to strip out the threads on the drain plug, they don't seem very strong. Does anybody make any kind of drain valve that would work here in place of the plug? Sort of like the Fumoto oil drain valves?

With a drain valve I could probably do the whole job in under 10 minutes...

Run a tube down the dipstick and suck it out a couple quarts?

 

[Number21]

Run a tube down the dipstick and suck it out a couple quarts?

I've thought about that, but I feel like I'll probably just end up making a bigger mess. The biggest part of the job is the clean up!

I'll see if I can cross reference something from another vehicle later tonight, although the threads seem very specific on the drain plug, like the spacing is extra far apart or something.

 

[md21722]

The drain plug is made softer than the pan so the drain plug wears an the pan does not. If the plug is worn, replace it. Aftermarket, i.e. Dorman, is the only source these days, and available at just about every parts store.

 

[RCP Phx]

If your really serious about this look at the boat websites, they use them all the time. Otherwise you would be hanging a big rock magnet at the lowest point on your vehicle!

 

[iwannadie]

I have been wanting to drop the pan and weld a nut inside for the drain bolt to thread into. Maybe drill a couple holes through the sides of the nut to let fluid drain through. I stripped the aw4 drain bolt on my supra once, didn't take much at all. No way I'd want a drain valve hanging off the pan though.

 

[Number21]

Otherwise you would be hanging a big rock magnet at the lowest point on your vehicle!

It always annoys me when people assume that every XJ is going to go rock climbing. I'd be willing to bet the majority of them out there never leave pavement. The worst terrain mine will ever see is the dirt road on the back of my property...

 

[Jeep Driver]

It always annoys me when people assume that every XJ is going to go rock climbing. I'd be willing to bet the majority of them out there never leave pavement. The worst terrain mine will ever see is the dirt road on the back of my property...

Serious people don't install gimmicks on their oil pans, engine or trans.

 

[cruiser54]

Are you guys aware that the AW4 pan and plug were of special design?

The plug is made of a SOFTER metal than the pan is.

Therefore, all that can happen is the plug strips. Napa carries them. Be sure to get a new sealing washer also.

 

[Number21]

Serious people don't install gimmicks on their oil pans, engine or trans.

Actually, they do. Serious people like to modify their vehicles to their liking, to make them better, more reliable, and easier to work on. Fumoto drain valves are used and recommended by many OEMs. They come from the factory on a lot of equipment.

Nothing about a drain valve is a "gimmick".

 

[comanche91]

The drain plug is made softer than the pan so the drain plug wears an the pan does not. If the plug is worn, replace it. Aftermarket, i.e. Dorman, is the only source these days, and available at just about every parts store.

Mopar AW4 drain plugs are still quite available. On Ebay HERE and Rock Auto carries them to. Do a part number search.....

 

[Number21]

I realize drain plugs are still available. I never said I needed one, and that's not what I'm looking for...

 

[Number21]

I think you could probably just use the oil drain valve. You just need to be creative when searching it. It may not just pop up as XJ specific, but thread and length from another vehicle you may get a match.

Just to get back to this - I am unable to find a match for the AW4 thread size. It is M10x1.5, the closest Fumoto sells is M10x1.25. Pity....

 

[comanche91]

I realize drain plugs are still available. I never said I needed one, and that's not what I'm looking for...

"Aftermarket, i.e. Dorman, is the only source these days, and available at just about every parts store."

Oh damn, I must have misread it. Not.

 

[lazyxj]

Just to get back to this - I am unable to find a match for the AW4 thread size. It is M10x1.5, the closest Fumoto sells is M10x1.25. Pity....

If you can't install a oil pan drain valve, there is another way to install a valve.
Plumb a tee and drain valve into the oil cooler return line.
Open the valve, with the engine idling, to pump out 2 or 3 three quarts at a time.

 

[md21722]

Mopar AW4 drain plugs are still quite available. On Ebay HERE and Rock Auto carries them to. Do a part number search.....

"Aftermarket, i.e. Dorman, is the only source these days, and available at just about every parts store."

Oh damn, I must have misread it. Not.

TASCA and Rock Auto probably have old parts catalogs. If you put an order in I'd be surprised if you'd receive anything. The dealers with current catalogs have it marked NLA. Toyota also has also discontinued them. The Mopar part numbers were 83504041 for the plug and 5788023 for the gasket. I last tried to buy some in April or May 2017.

 

[cruiser54]

This is too easy guys.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NDP7041915

 

[md21722]

This is too easy guys.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NDP7041915

Right. But the Mopar ones were made in Japan.

 

[Jeep Driver]

Actually, they do. Serious people like to modify their vehicles to their liking, to make them better, more reliable, and easier to work on. Fumoto drain valves are used and recommended by many OEMs. They come from the factory on a lot of equipment.

Nothing about a drain valve is a "gimmick".

They come on stationary equipment whereas the valve is protected.

No, this one is a gimmick.

Serious people, people who have thousands tied up in their engines or trans do not install anything on the pan that can or will damage their engines.

Even running over a stick can cause the stick to slap that POS valve and cause it to break off or crack, thus causing catastrophic failure in a matter of seconds.



Besides, your plan is completely unnecessary anyway. Replace filter and fluid twice and be done with it.........good for another 100K miles.