So oil changes, I got a mity vac and did my first oil change the official way. Felt pretty alien to me, was pretty sure draining would get more oil out. So the second time round I decided to see how much it was missing. Suctioned out all I could, took off all the armor plates and removed the drain plug, and managed to drain out about half a liter, which is fairly significant. Only problem is removing all the plates is a major pain in the ***, why in the world didn't they make those inspection holes in the armor a tiny big larger. One of the holes is directly under the drain plug, you can touch it, and probably could get it off with an angled wrench, but the mess it would make...

A day or two before I had randomly happened across a reddit post that popped up in my feed about a mess free oil change using FUMOTO oil drain plug valves. I'd never heard of them, but apparently people have been swearing by these for years, made in japan, high quality. Wow, these are a game changer for us defender owners, as you can get a finger on the drain plug, and the valve makes it so you can drain the oil in a controlled manner through a tube.

I get on the FUMOTO site and they don't have a listing for the defender, or any other Land Rover for that matter, but they do have Jaguar. I have a 2022 P300, and the 2022 F-PACE has a listing for a 2.0L 4 Cylinder, which maps to the F106SX . They have a few different styles, but the SX style gives the best clearance and access through the armor plates, and we definitely need it to drain at a 90 degree angle. They have these on , so I ordered one. Came out next day, and it was a perfect fit. I was a little worried that maybe the OEM drain plug was magnetic, but it's not. I don't know if the P400 uses the same drain plug or not, or if it's accessible through the armor. I'd have to imagine it's similar.

Got some pictures below of it installed, and I can confirm you can reach it with the armor on. There is enough room to click on the 90 degree hose adapter, route the hose out one of the other inspection holes, and then use your finger to open the valve. The other scenario this enables is if you accidentally overfill, you can easily drain out small amounts without any mess. I decided to leave off the blue plastic safety clip as unless you have really tiny hands that is going to be tricky to remove/install with the armor on. The armor will stop anything from getting to the valve. This is also significantly cheaper than buying a mity vac, and it lets you be confident that you drained ALL of the oil. It just has the one time cost of install, which for me meant I discovered a minor transmission fluid leak that was being caught by the armor plates. Which is really those inspections holes are actually for, so check your holes while you are down there.

 

Thank you for taking the time, to, research this and, to write it up!

I only have 1500 miles on my 2023 P300, so I hadn't done a lot of thinking about oil changes just yet, but the vacuum idea makes my old-school brain nervous. I have a couple of other cars that people use these on--everyone swears by them. I hadn't run into problems that forced me to use one yet, but had read enough about the Defender playing that I'm loving this alternative to the vacuum method.

 

put this on my dodge truck on the first oil change back in 2005.

 

What a great solution. Sadly, I bought myself a MittyVac and by golly I'm going to get my money's worth. Had I not done so, this would be just the ticket. Great post. Thanks for sharing.

 

I've used Fumoto valves for years on various different vehicles, great quality and convenient.

I might get one for my defender

 

Yeah I have one too that I bought just for the defender, its still a super useful tool. Can use it for all sorts of other stuff, can even bleed brakes with it, no regrets. But for $30 the drain valve is worth the peace of mind

 

I'd be curious how it works for the brakes. I have a bleeder pump I use. Doing another flush next month as last time I didn't figure out the service mode position. All set now though. Next oil change and analysis is in about 2k miles.

 

Thank you @Iceman153 . I have used these for the past 2 decades on all of my vehicles. I also use a Pella Pump 6k as an extraction tool. I actually called Fumoto because as you found out the Defender is not listed on their site. They told me they did not have any info on the Defenders. I've used the SX before on my MX-5s to get a better angle on draining. Very happy you did this work and posted your results. Much appreciated! I'm ordering one for my 90 (granted... it's still about 5 months out...but never too early to accumulate mods).

 

Thank you ! @Iceman153

After my mud run 2 weeks ago I did know I couldn't clean all the mud above the underbody plating with the pressure wash.
So after the first wash I removed 100lbs. mud/sand. Wheels off, another 30lbs. Next thing the underbody plating removed.
Front underbody protection 20lbs, 2 aluminium plates 30lbs, felt liner 40lbs, alu transmission protection 40lbs.
After that did a 2nd pressure wash to get it clean, another 30lbs of mud/sand removed.
So for now I will stay out of the mud 😂

Back to topic..

Remembered this thread for the Fumoto oil drain valve, ordered the same one.
Install was a breeze whitout the underbody protection.

[quote]
' why in the world didn't they make those inspection holes in the armor a tiny big larger.
One of the holes is directly under the drain plug, you can touch it'

So I used my jigsaw to make it just a little wider to be sure the Fumoto output was free direct down under.
very easy to saw with a metalblade



Very easy now to attach the drain hose and clip.


Again thanks for leading the way.

 

No worries, glad it's been helpful! Hopeful I'll be able to get away without any cutting when I go to change the oil next year. but it's good to know it cuts so easily. Looks like those cuts could be made with the plate still on the car too as long as the blade isn't too long.