Product: OTC says its Drain Plug PRO Kit eliminates the issue of dropped drain plugs with a magnetic head, several adapters for common makes/models usage and a flexible cable allowing the drain plug to fall away from the oil stream, reducing splashing. The tool’s strong magnetic head keeps the drain plug with the tool, avoiding lost, dirty and dropped drain plugs. The expanded kit includes attachments for standard and low-profile, internal hex (17mm) and ¼” hex drain plugs. The flexible shank with ¼” square drive helps remove or thread smaller fasteners, and can be used with all ¼” square drive sockets.
Review: Done by Eric Moore, co-owner of Columbus, Ohio-based DeMary Truck, and Lou Fort, lead tech at K.A.R.S., Huntingburg, Ind., at their respective shops.
Moore used the kit to help him change oil on several vehicles, including a 2008 Mazda Speed 3, 1998 Toyota 4Runner, 2002 Ford Escape and 2003 Volkswagen Jetta.
“The OTC Drain Plug Pro Kit was not so much a time-saver as it was a hand-saver,” said Moore. “Not having to glove up or get hot fluids touching my skin was a refreshing scenario.”
Fort employed the kit for regular oil service on a wide variety of vehicles. He also used it for removal and reinstallation of a transmission drain plug without being forced to remove the lower support bracket while replacing a clutch on a Ford Focus.
He said he appreciated the packaging because “it keeps everything together and at the ready. “The magnets OTC uses are strong, and there is some versatility at play.”
Moore noted the “flexible nature” of the kit’s handle as one of its best features. “I found it invaluable for starting or removing hard-to-access bolts and simply installed the proper socket into the handle,” and added that in the past, he was forced to create his own solutions for similar applications using magnetic pick-up tools or pieces of hose stretched over a drain plug or fastener.
Suggestions
Being familiar with similar products, Fort offered some suggestions for improving the OTC Drain Plug Pro Kit.
“A longer and more robust flex shaft would do wonders for this tool,” he said. “It would also be nice if the ¼” drive end on the flex shaft was itself magnetic.”
Fort said the majority of vehicles his shop services are high-mileage ones, so the drain plug threads on those vehicles “are far from pristine.” Consequently, he had to remove the drain plug with either a wrench or a socket before the kit was able to hold onto it well enough to finish its removal.
Moore suggested a longer, sturdier extension as a potential improvement, but that didn’t prevent him from rating the OTC Drain Plug Pro Kit 10 out of 10. “It’s a great idea and it offers multiple uses for restricted access fasteners in conjunction with what the drain plug removal is designed for.”
