I have a good one for you all!

Finally got around to doing my oil change (being my dealer will not service my car anymore (long story/don't ask)) and install the FUMOTO drain valve and TBW undertray. After much research I ordered the F133S directly from fumotousa.com based on their catalog (and other research) for a 2008 VQ37VHR engine.

Went to install the drain valve. Threads on perfectly, but after barely two (2) full turns the body of the valve hits the pan. There is no way in hell the valve will fully install into the drain opening.

Ready for this? Apparently Nissan, in whatever wisdom, used AT LEAST two (2) different LOWER OIL PANS for these engines. Due to time constraints I did not take any pics of my oil pan/ Fumoto issue. I did a quick search on eBay and pulled some pics from there:


I can only guess that, at some point, some revision was made or perhaps a different factory stamped out a slightly different part, who knows. All I know is the FUMOTO drain valve will not fit my 2008 due to that raised area noted in the first pic. And before anyone asks, my pan is OEM from the factory.

I have a email out to fumotousa to see what they have to say. I'll likely just get a refund and call it a day or see if they will exchange for the F103SX. I only change my oil 2x a year anyway so a removing a drain bolt won't be the end of the world either way- especially now with the TBW tray.

Gotta love Nissan with their parts "revisions."

 

I’m convinced Nissan/Infiniti have all of these unexplainable “parts revisions” as cost cutting measures. If I’m not mistaken weren’t these cars built when Nissan was being as cheap as humanly possible?

I feel like they just kept finding lower cost suppliers and switched as often as they could.

 

Oh man, that sucks. I've got that drain valve on two cars now, and feel like kicking myself for not doing this years ago.

 

As it happens, fumotousa has 1" (spacer) adapters for this very purpose...except...(drum roll)... NOT in M12x1.25 which is our thread size/pitch.

GO FIGURE

As it is, I opted for a full refund. My next oil change interval will not be until Nov/Dec, I have enough time to decide what route I want to take.

 

Even if you had a 1" adapter, would you still have clearance under your tray?

Insofar as adapters go, maybe you can special order something? Years ago, I was disatisfied with how low my STS sat in the boot, and had a customized 1" stand-off cut just for me. Point being, it's doable for anyone with skills and a metal lathe.

 

In all likelihood I will probably just remain with the drain bolt/crush washer setup. There is a plethora of different brass adapters and such that I could make work. However, my thinking is that while a adapter "might" fit/work, it would introduce another set of potential issues (clearance, leaks, etc.). For a job that takes less than 30min. 2x/yr. I see no need to reinvent the wheel now. Ask me again in 6 months, though...

It just befuddles me that something as innocuous as a oil pan would have several different "revisions/ varieties" for the same, exact engine. Even the Zed has a different style pan.