Fixing Magnet to Plastic Drain Plug

[Bailes1992]

So my daily has a plastic drain plug like this...

GM Part N° 55498782

The end of the plug is flat and I have a load of Neodymium magnets. I'd like to affix a magnet to the end of the drain plug.

I'm thinking of affixing the magnet to the plug with RTV. I suppose it wouldn't be a massive disaster if it fell off. It would either sit in the pan or get stuck to the pick-up.

Anyone able to come up with any better suggestions?

 

[JoelB]

My suggestion is to not try and make a makeshift magnetic drain plug. Do you really want to risk something breaking loose and floating in the oil? And I don't mean the magnet, I mean chunks of the adhesive you choose.

 

[Bailes1992]

My suggestion is to not try and make a makeshift magnetic drain plug. Do you really want to risk something breaking loose and floating in the oil? And I don't mean the magnet, I mean chunks of the adhesive you choose.

I personally wouldn't have thought a pea-sized blob of RTV and a magnet would pose any kind of risk. But happy to be told otherwise

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I'd think you'd have to somehow capture the magnet rather than think an adhesive could hold it onto the drain plug. The other thing is how large a field will this magnet generate? I doubt it would be able to pull anything outside the first couple of inches and only when there's no flow.

 

[spasm3]

I make my own magnetic drain plugs. But in your case, i'd leave it alone. Don't know what type of plastic. I would not use RTV.

 

[Number_35]

Is there an aftermarket magnetic drain plug you can replace yours with?

 

[Bailes1992]

Is there an aftermarket magnetic drain plug you can replace yours with?

Not that I'm aware of.

I believe this plug was fitted in a number of applications in the US but only in one application in Europe.

 

[Number_35]

Not that I'm aware of.

I believe this plug was fitted in a number of applications in the US but only in one application in Europe.

Drain plugs are often a standard M14x1.5 - but I see that yours has no threads, so assume the oil pan is likewise. Yikes, now I see the problem.

 

[Bailes1992]

Drain plugs are often a standard M14x1.5 - but I see that yours has no threads, so assume the oil pan is likewise. Yikes, now I see the problem.

It's quite a nice plug to use actually. You pop a 3/8's extension bar or similar in, push up, turn it 1/4 of a turn and it just pulls out.

 

[NYEngineer]

Permatex® Fast Cure Epoxy, 10 – 4 G – Permatex

www.permatex.com

I've repaired engine blocks with this. I'm sure it would handle a magnet to plastic just fine.

 

[JMJNet]

If you put the magnet, make sure you use a "High Temperature Resistant" magnet.
Otherwise, it will loose the magnetic power in the hot oil.

 

[atikovi]

The use of magnetic drain plugs for engine oil is over rated. First off, many of the metals shed by the engine aren't even magnetic. Aluminum, copper, magnesium, etc. Second, you have an oil filter. If you have a spin-on filter, stick a few magnets on the outside for the same effect.

 

[Kira]

How long does the blue O-ring on this plug last?

 

[Bailes1992]

How long does the blue O-ring on this plug last?

My oil has been changed 4 times now and it's still sealing. I clean it thoroughly every time and apply a little fresh oil to the seal like I would a new filter.

I will replace it next OCI.

 

[Kira]

Is the O-ring an available size (dedicated) or are you going to just fit it like a shoe (trial & error)?

 

[Bailes1992]

Is the O-ring an available size (dedicated) or are you going to just fit it like a shoe (trial & error)?

I'll replace the whole plug. They're about £5. I'll make a habit of replacing it every 4 oci's/20k.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Perhaps use a filter magnet?

 

[Bailes1992]

Perhaps use a filter magnet?

I can't think of an easy way to do it on this application...

What else is this GM filter fitted to?

I just performed the first oil change on my new car (2 weeks old and 1000miles on the clock). The car ia a Vauxhall Insignia (basically a Buick Regal) and has half a Duramax 3.0 in it, a 1.5 3 cylinder diesel making 122bhp. It's specified for a 0w20 Dexos D oil as per the Duramax 3.0 however it...

bobistheoilguy.com

 

[PimTac]

I’m not sure the benefit versus the risk is worth it.