Femco drain valves - good idea or bad?

[MagnaBill]

I have just found these while browsing - they look like an alternative to having the drain hoses for my engines and trans (6V92's and m20's) cluttering up under the engines. I like the clean look...........

You can search for them under "femco speed click"

Anyone care to comment on them? I am even thinking they may be an alternative to the petcocks for the 6V92 cooling system.

Thanks, Bill.

 

[stormchaser]

I've used valves like them on cars for many moons and never had a problem with them.

 

[REBrueckner]

http://www.femco.nl/engels/html/e_oplossing.htm

Perhaps more trouble than they are worth....it you have petcocks where you get your shirt sleeve stuck as you move around an engine, maybe these would be a good alternative....maybe easier on the forehead when you bump into one....likely ok in coolant systems and oil not under pressure...maybe I'd be cautious in salt water application depending on the metal composition...

A quick look suggests they are "quick connect" fittings, like at Home Cheapo or Lowes...I use them on my fresh and salt water washdowns on my forward deck....makes putting coil hoses away in rough weather really easy...
I've used them at least five years and the Home Cheapo "brass" has held up perfectly...appears they have stainless interior parts...in garden hose sections of stores...

 

[jim rosenthal]

I would not use these. I don't think they are secure enough. You are better off with an oil drain system and hoses permanently plumbed to the oil pans. I do not think they are safe enough to be in a marine application. I also think that if you had them on a boat they might cause a surveyor to notice them and comment adversely. AND, if there were some kind of mishap, the presence of fittings like these on the engine might affect the boat's insurance coverage.