I'd like to see a car go over a bump big enough to dislodge anything from these rare earth magnets. We tried spraying them off with a steam cleaner on a filter we cut up and were not successful even with the nozzle almost in contact with the particles. We tried forcing particles through a hydraulic line on a hydraulic test bench with rare earth magnets attached at 1,000PSI at a flow rate of 100GPM at 200F using 0w-30 engine oil. First pass collected all visible particles. Second pass picked up some fuzzy particles that represented less than 2% of the mass and there were indications that the third pass picked up something but we could not measure it. With the volume we used and they cycling rate you could not have clapped your hands twice before all three passes were completed. We used actual metal filings from an oil filter including the fuzzy particles. The oil was virgin and clean before the test and only these particle were used to contaminate the oil. After four passes the oil qualified as clean enough for use as hydraulic fluid. There were no other contaminates present before or after the testing. This was all done on a Saturday afternoon at the shop and we don't claim to have performed a test that is meant to please anyone else besides ourselves and to settle a bet for pizza and a drink.
Anybody try Magnetic oil plugs by Goldplug...
- Thread starter dino33
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That sound pretty convincing. The plug I have, however (came with the car), doesn't seem to be so strong (it may not be a rare earth magnet, dunno) and, while it may be some use, I have to wonder if its such a great idea.
It catches a fine metallic slurry. These wear particles are definately magnetised, since some can be removed by touching with a paperclip, on which they adopt the characteristic "whiskery" appearance.
Perhaps omce they are on the plug they stay there, but IF these magnetised particles get dislodged from the plug by turbulence in the sump, they'll tend to stick to other ferrous surfaces (eg crankshaft journals), and probably won't be removed by an oil drain.
I'd say magnetic "filtration" is more likely to be a good thing (or likely to be a better thing)if its fitted somewhere it can be regularly cleaned (to reduce particle magnetisation due to long residence) as on the dipstick, or under the rocker cover.
It catches a fine metallic slurry. These wear particles are definately magnetised, since some can be removed by touching with a paperclip, on which they adopt the characteristic "whiskery" appearance.
Perhaps omce they are on the plug they stay there, but IF these magnetised particles get dislodged from the plug by turbulence in the sump, they'll tend to stick to other ferrous surfaces (eg crankshaft journals), and probably won't be removed by an oil drain.
I'd say magnetic "filtration" is more likely to be a good thing (or likely to be a better thing)if its fitted somewhere it can be regularly cleaned (to reduce particle magnetisation due to long residence) as on the dipstick, or under the rocker cover.
The magnets we used were in the size range of 1x2x4 inches. They are very strong and really difficult to remove once placed. And placing them on the oil filter solves the problem of cleaning them. You just remove them and place them on the next oil filter. Just be prepared to struggle to make the swap. And there is a difference in magnets. Try to get the best magnets available. It's just a one time expense because the magnets will still be working when you're not.
Yes, I'd guess strong earth magnets outside the oil filter are a better application. I still would have some concern about the holding capacity of the magnet(s) being exceeded in a location that presumably sees fairly high flow rates, turbulence (?) and shear, since it has to last for the full OCI. The filter is right there to (perhaps) catch any magnetised aggregates that might get away, though.
My concern may be amplified by the fact that my car seems to be putting a lot of metal in its oil.
The original question was about oil drain plugs, however, which are the commonest, and the least convincing application of magnetic trapping. My plug certainly doesn't remove all the metal from the oil. The volume of the sump is large relative to the size of the magnet, and the oil is turbulent.
If you're going to put magnets in the sump, a magnetic dipstick makes a lot more sense, but AFAIK you can't buy them for cars. I've improvised one from a magnetic pickup tool and it can be checked and cleaned as often as I want.
[censored]! Another money-making idea thrown into the shark pool.
My concern may be amplified by the fact that my car seems to be putting a lot of metal in its oil.
The original question was about oil drain plugs, however, which are the commonest, and the least convincing application of magnetic trapping. My plug certainly doesn't remove all the metal from the oil. The volume of the sump is large relative to the size of the magnet, and the oil is turbulent.
If you're going to put magnets in the sump, a magnetic dipstick makes a lot more sense, but AFAIK you can't buy them for cars. I've improvised one from a magnetic pickup tool and it can be checked and cleaned as often as I want.
[censored]! Another money-making idea thrown into the shark pool.
Eventually some of you will have so many magnets on your oil pan that they will pull the rod caps from the connecting rods.
I have a gold plug. Every time I change my oil i get approx the tip of a Qtip of black muddish metal on the tip of the magnet. Kinda, scary that the oil filter doesn't pick them up. But I'm sure they are really really small. Wish i had a microscope for exam,
I told a mechanic of my finding and his reply was that if the magnet picks up shavings, there is a problem with the engine. I have none to report......
I told a mechanic of my finding and his reply was that if the magnet picks up shavings, there is a problem with the engine. I have none to report......
I have goldplugs in a couple of our cars, as well as my motorcycle. They are strong, and do catch a small amount of particles at each oil change. Getting them out and back in can be a struggle as previously mentioned!
I'll keep my filter mag, I don't mind that it stops the particles before it hits the element. I think this could keep the filter cleaner for non ferrous capacity.
Seems like those coated ceramic magnets are expensive too. I bought my filter mag when it was cheaper, but it seems they've doubled in price in a few years.
Seems like those coated ceramic magnets are expensive too. I bought my filter mag when it was cheaper, but it seems they've doubled in price in a few years.
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Originally Posted By: CELICA_XX
+1 for the FilterMAG
Much stronger than any plug magnet, and it can be used regardless of your preferred OCI or particular brand of oil.
One problem....
Not all cars have spin on filters.
If a car uses a cartridge filter, a magnetic drain plug is the only thing can think of that fits.
+1 for the FilterMAG
Much stronger than any plug magnet, and it can be used regardless of your preferred OCI or particular brand of oil.
One problem....
Not all cars have spin on filters.
If a car uses a cartridge filter, a magnetic drain plug is the only thing can think of that fits.
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