OTC 5911 - Drain Plug PRO

woodstockva · Aug 17, 2014

Hey Everybody

I just reviewed a tool that I literally use ALL the time & have never had any problems with. It's the OTC 5911 Drain Plug PRO & it makes changing oil a lot less messy & time consuming.

Basically this is a very strong magnet attached to a flexible shaft & screwdriver handle, that will allow you to unscrew a drain plug without getting oil all over your hands/arms & you wont have to go searching through a hot pan of oil for the plug.

Check out the video to see how great the OTC 5911 Drain Plug PRO actually works!

rmsg0040 · Aug 17, 2014

Had 1 for a while now, I like it, many times I have dropped a drain plug into a pan, not anymore

bob_the_builder · Aug 17, 2014

I picked one up last week from my local auto parts store. Just waiting for one of my vehicles to need an oil change to try it out.

Bob

PKile · Aug 17, 2014

Looks cool, but I bet it won't work on M54 BMW engines...the drain plug on those is recessed inside a cove in the oil pan, and those little wings on the end of the Drain Plug Pro will probably run into that cove. Since 2 of my 4 vehicles have those engines, I might have to buy another DPP and grind off those wings. I'll try it first with the stock tool and see if my suspicions are correct.

PKile · Aug 17, 2014

Well, what do you know! I just checked Amazon and they make an OTC 5961 Drain Plug Pro kit with 4 adapter ends. One of them sans wings for those BMW drain plugs, and even a 17mm magnet for those recessed hex plugs on the Euro trannys and diffs! It's about twice as expensive at 24 bucks and change, but it should work for all my oddball stuff.

Strouty · Aug 17, 2014

Added to my amazon wish list. Of course as soon as I did that, I saw more goodies to add.

Great video as always!

kball · Aug 17, 2014

Good idea but... those non-magnetic crush washers will still fall into the hot oil unless you get lucky and they stay on the plug. Unless you're one of those nutty types that change the washer with every oil change...

jptbay · Aug 18, 2014

Thanks for the review. That's one tool I didn't know about and could really use.

BTW I found your delivery and speech in the video to be much more natural. One of the best ones yet. Keep them coming.

internetdude · Aug 18, 2014

Great video overall. You did a good job of giving a detailed explanation and also demonstration. I would recommend you invest in a lapel mic, and don't repeat yourself repeatedly

. The initial demo was unnecessary, could have skipped that and still got the point across. Most people have a really short attention span.

On a related note, I just found out about this tool recently on Amazon so I ordered it, now it's sitting here beside my desk. I think it will be my new favorite tool.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054WI7CW/

ImportTuner · Aug 18, 2014

I've been using the OTC Drain Plug Pro since it first came out. Works as advertised except on magnetic drain plugs (drain plugs with magnet for catching particles) and on the MINI Cooper S round drain plug. The MINI appears to have tighter threads and will not turn with the round head until it is almost completely out.

Good video review though :thumbup:

Fcvapor05 · Aug 18, 2014

kball said:
Good idea but... those non-magnetic crush washers will still fall into the hot oil unless you get lucky and they stay on the plug. Unless you're one of those nutty types that change the washer with every oil change...

Every car I've ever owned that had a crush washer on the drain plug (there's been 3 total) has included a new crush washer in the packaging with the oil filter.... so I've always changed it. Why not?

Nice review, seems like a simple and handy tool. I'll probably end up with one.

Mohawk Dave · Aug 18, 2014

Super lazy idea here...cut the shaft off the handle and weld it to a hex shaft for m12 gun, or weld it to a shaft for a ratcheting screwdriver.

ADSR · Aug 18, 2014

Mohawk Dave said:
Super lazy idea here...cut the shaft off the handle and weld it to a hex shaft for m12 gun, or weld it to a shaft for a ratcheting screwdriver.

I like it

SASORacing · Aug 18, 2014

Fcvapor05 said:
Every car I've ever owned that had a crush washer on the drain plug (there's been 3 total) has included a new crush washer in the packaging with the oil filter.... so I've always changed it. Why not?

Nice review, seems like a simple and handy tool. I'll probably end up with one.

I dont know where in the hell you got those oil filters but I envy you. I cant even buy the correct crush washers most of the time.

1foxracing · Aug 18, 2014

If you're looking for Honda crush washers you can buy a bag of 50 for $15 on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JKPUUE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Fcvapor05 · Aug 18, 2014

SASORacing said:
I dont know where in the hell you got those oil filters but I envy you. I cant even buy the correct crush washers most of the time.

I should have mentioned that these were all the same filter brand- Wix. 2x BMW and 1 Porsche.

The BMWs both used a cartridge element, where the filter body is a cast part bolted to the block. So there's 4 little parts to replace every time you change the filter- crush washer on the drain plug, big o-ring on the filter housing, then a little o ring and a sealing washer on opposite ends of the big bolt that holds the filter housing together. The Wix filters always included all of those parts.

franzdom · Aug 18, 2014

PKile said:
Looks cool, but I bet it won't work on M54 BMW engines...the drain plug on those is recessed inside a cove in the oil pan, and those little wings on the end of the Drain Plug Pro will probably run into that cove. Since 2 of my 4 vehicles have those engines, I might have to buy another DPP and grind off those wings. I'll try it first with the stock tool and see if my suspicions are correct.

I have a 330i 2003 M54 works great, no problem. I love this tool! :bowdown:

I guess the wings are no wider than a socket is.

WhiskeyTangoFox · Aug 19, 2014

Or you could just use a fumoto drain valve on your personal vehicles.

Simple to drain.

ADSR · Aug 19, 2014

WhiskeyTangoFox said:
Or you could just use a fumoto drain valve on your personal vehicles.

Simple to drain.

yeah sure, self draining while you drive! :3gears:

WhiskeyTangoFox · Aug 19, 2014

LORDDiESEL said:
yeah sure, self draining while you drive!

I have 3 on my cars. One being a lowered honda that I installed one back in 2002. Never had one problem out of any of them.

Shadowdog500 · Aug 19, 2014

I bought one last year and love it. No more burnt fingers. I keep it stuck to my 20 gall oil cart, so it is handy when I'm changing oil under the lift.

Everyone who sees it asks me where to get one.

Chris

PKile · Aug 19, 2014

franzdom said:
I have a 330i 2003 M54 works great, no problem. I love this tool!

I guess the wings are no wider than a socket is.

Great - that's the same year and engine I have, mine is a 330ci. Also have a 2001 Z3 Coupe 3.0i with the same engine. I still bought the unit with the interchangeable ends, since they have a 17mm hex magnet as well. My Amazon order should arrive today!

ADSR · Aug 19, 2014

WhiskeyTangoFox said:
I have 3 on my cars. One being a lowered honda that I installed one back in 2002. Never had one problem out of any of them.

Yeah, but if you do, your engine is pretty much toast. :eyecrazy:

Hootbro · Aug 20, 2014

kball said:
Good idea but... those non-magnetic crush washers will still fall into the hot oil unless you get lucky and they stay on the plug. Unless you're one of those nutty types that change the washer with every oil change...

Let me guess, you do not every use a torque wrench either on anything you tighten? I mean that would totally be "nutty" to use recommended best practices.

kball · Aug 20, 2014

^haha nope, not on drain plugs I don't. That would be a waste of time.....

PKile · Aug 20, 2014

kball said:
^haha nope, not on drain plugs I don't. That would be a waste of time.....

Yep, tell that to one of our admins here at work where the clones at Jiffy Lube forgot to tighten the drain plug and it dropped out, causing her engine to seize.

Torquing may not be considered a "requirement", but if you have the torque step as part of your oil change ritual, you will be much less likely to forget to tighten the plug.

I've got a little spreadsheet on the wall of my garage, which lists oil capacities, drain plug torques, oil filter torques, and lugnut torques for my 4 vehicles. I'm much more likely to execute the torque step with the info staring me in the face.

Cheers,
Paul

Shadowdog500 · Aug 20, 2014

PKile said:
Yep, tell that to one of our admins here at work where the clones at Jiffy Lube forgot to tighten the drain plug and it dropped out, causing her engine to seize.

Torquing may not be considered a "requirement", but if you have the torque step as part of your oil change ritual, you will be much less likely to forget to tighten the plug.

I've got a little spreadsheet on the wall of my garage, which lists oil capacities, drain plug torques, oil filter torques, and lugnut torques for my 4 vehicles. I'm much more likely to execute the torque step with the info staring me in the face.

Cheers,
Paul

Can you post a photo of this chart, I may want to make something similar.

Chris

PKile · Aug 20, 2014

Shadowdog500 said:
Can you post a photo of this chart, I may want to make something similar.

Chris

Here it is, just a simple Word table. Could have probably been easier in Excel, but I'm more right-brain and like the look better:

Cheers,
Paul

RBailey · Nov 10, 2014

Another thumbs up for the tool. From me. I just used mine for the first time, no burnt fingers or fishing in the used oil for the drain plug.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cope · Nov 10, 2014

kball said:
Good idea but... those non-magnetic crush washers will still fall into the hot oil unless you get lucky and they stay on the plug. Unless you're one of those nutty types that change the washer with every oil change...

I have two Kias, and they recommend changing the washer with each oil change; I have only had one washer fall off. I buy the filters ten at a time and get ten washers. I saw a write up on this tool and bought one a couple of oil changes ago. It is great.

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