Engine Block Drain Line

[RRoller123]

I will contact the EZ folks and ask them about 3 things that would be different with using this in an engine coolant application versus engine oil sump application:

Heat: No problem anticipated.
Chemical Resistance: No problem anticipated, as there are ample corrosion inhibitors in coolant.
Pressure: There is a possibility that this may be important. The oil in the pan is basically under atmospheric pressure (or a slight hydraulic pressure due to its depth), whereas the coolant system is at roughly 13psig.

I wonder if they have considered this little widget for coolant applications and done any testing?

I will ask them, anyway, and see what they say.

Pete

(Update: letter of inquiry sent)

[RRoller123]

I received a very quick response from the EZ Drain folks. (I don't know how to put the PDF drawing in this post, but send me an email if you want to have it and I will forward it to you).

Pete

Their Response:

"Thank you for your interest in our EZ Oil Drain Valves.
We currently have part # EZ-125H available only at this time, which has a straight hose end permanently assembled to the valve as a 1 piece construction.

We developed this valve part for gearbox applications and other OEM/Industial oil drain applications. The straight hose barb application may work equally well for your application instead of the L-Shaped one.

To answer your question, our valves can be used for draining various kinds of fluid. Coolant is one of them. We have a lot of customers that use them for that and is suitable for that application. The EZ Oil Drain Valve is constructed out of solid forged brass and additionally nickel plated for further protection. Here are some temp and pressure specs

Pressure Rating: 250PSI
Temp: Up to 365 F Degrees.

I attached a dimensional drawing of the EZ-125H. Please let me know if this straight hose barb version would work on the Fiat Spider.

Thank you,

Ryuji Mitsuoka Sales Manager Global Sales Group (425)999-1200 http://www.EZoildrain.com"

I think I will buy one and see how it works.

Pete

[klweimer]

Cool!

[RRoller123]

Here is a further communication from them. I will order one of these this coming week and try it out:


"Hi Peter,

You're welcome. I appreciate you spreading the word about our valves on the forums. That will help us out.
As for the EZ-125H, can you contact our online dealer to order this valve? I've copied them on this email thread. Their website is www.oildrainvalve.net and email is info@oildrainvalve.net

Since this valve is what we categorize as an H-Type valve, it normally isn't sold to the general public and usually only for industrial use. They don't have it posted on the website, but if you can email them they can take your order. Hope the valve will work out well on your Fiat Spiders.

Have a great weekend!

Thank you,

Ryuji Mitsuoka Sales Manager Global Sales Group (425)999-1200 www.EZoildrain.com "

[KevAndAndi]

Excellent, Peter, thanks! The straight hose barb should work just fine. I think I will pick up one of these, too.

[KevAndAndi]

Peter,

Were you able to get this EZ valve? I haven't yet. Drained the block yesterday and made a big mess in the garage.

[RRoller123]

I have been too damned busy with my top end rebuild, and made a mess in my garage too. But I wrote to Ryuji yesterday and he sent me this order form via PDF. Unfortunately I can't print it on my system, so I am going to call them on Monday and order it over the phone.

Here is his communication from yesterday:

"Hi Peter,

Can you please use this order form?
The EZ-125H is $25.95 each.

Please complete the form and then send to info@oildrainvalve.net
They should be able to process you order.

Thank you,

Ryuji Mitsuoka Sales Manager Global Sales Group (425)999-1200 www.EZoildrain.com"

The stocking address is:

PIXUS Inc.
P.O. Box 348
Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 270-3466 TEL
(425) 391-4193 FAX
info@oildrainvalve.net

[KevAndAndi]

Thanks! I just got my new aluminum radiator from Autoricambi, and I'm having a hard time finding a new winged drain cock. I may use the EZ valve for that, as well, though it would be a bit pricey to buy two of those things. Would be nice, though, to hook up PVC tubing to both and drain them into the same pan with no mess.

[RRoller123]

I have 2 cats and a dog, and I have been going friggin' mental (as we say in Massachusetts) keeping them out of the garage and from licking at all the small spills and drips, etc. Same here, I just bought the aluminum radiator because my old one had developed 2 small leaks. It is easily fixed but I also decided to upgrade. It is FREE to whoever wants it, just pay shipping. I have it listed as such in the Parts For Sale section. If anyone is interested, ask me about the state of the metals scrap business around here...

So yes, they are pricey, but well worth the safety of keeping this poison from being smeared all over the garage floor, in the trash, on rags, soaked into cardboard under the car, etc. etc.

The size for the one used at the radiator drain is different from the block, I haven't measured it yet, but DON'T order 2 of the EZ-125-H, it is some other number for the different thread down there.

Pete

[KevAndAndi]

I think the drain cock is not metric. Pretty sure I got an OD of 9.5mm which would be 3/8". Will check.

[KevAndAndi]

Did some measuring of the block drain plug and the plastic plug that came with my aluminum Autoricambi radiator.

The block drain plug from my 2L appears to be the same as Peter's, an M10 1.0 - however, there seems to be either some taper or perhaps just some wear on the the threads closer to the end.



The plastic drain plug from the radiator (not shown) has a diameter of 3/8" and coarse threads, 16 TPI, with no taper.

[klweimer]

KevAndAndi,

That's clearly a tapered pipe thread. You might look here for info on what thread it is.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#about-selectin ... s/=11qg4fv

Kirk

[RRoller123]

OK, so here is how this neat little device (and any others they have) can be ordered:

http://www.oildrainvalve.net/

It is listed under: "OEM AND INDUSTRIAL"

The block drain part number is: EZ-125H

Can be ordered online, paid with PayPal, etc .

I ordered one today and will report on it, assuming that my Spider ever starts again after tearing it apart this Winter...

Pete

[KevAndAndi]

Thanks, Pete! Let us know how it works. I know how you feel with the torn-apart car. I'm finally getting around to doing my "winter" projects, and the car is becoming more torn-apart just as the weather is getting warmer every day.

I just heard back from Csaba, and while he said he didn't know about the engine block drain hole threads, he did say that the threads in my new aluminum radiator are M10x1.5. So either I was off in my measurements of the plastic drain plug or the plastic is not manufactured to tight tolerances. I guess it makes sense that the hole is metric!

I don't see that there would be any easy option to attach an EZ valve to my radiator drain. There are, however, M10x1.5 x 1/8" NPT adapters, so I could go with a regular 1/8" NPT petcock. I believe this would have the added benefit of putting the flow from the draining radiator beyond the anti-roll bar, avoiding the annoying splash.

[joelittel]

I'm curious about the plastic coating on the ball valve lever. My guess is that my headers will melt that little luxury right off the lever.

Pete, when you receive your valve I'd love to know what you think of the rubber/plastic bit.