Stripped the Head a little on my OEM Drain Plug, So i decided to replace it with a Gold Plug. That Plug came with slightly bent threads compared to the head, but it still seals without a leak. The Magnet Did Pick up a very small amount over 4100 Miles, But i dont like the idea of its Poor Quality Control, And Unknown glue stopping that magnet from breaking off into your engine, And im debating just going back to OEM for $15 (I know other aftermarket is $8 at most). I guess the Magnetic plug is either a Peace of mind having it, or in my case a peace of mind sticking to oem And not much of a real benefit?
Magnetic Drain Plug Truly Worth It?
- Thread starter Ang
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Magnetic plugs are good for engines with no oil filters. Manufacturers figured out oil filters a long time ago.
GoldPlug is supposed to be quality and I bought it through recommendation here.
Who knows being it's an Aluminum Engine as is most. Some brand new stuff will even have plastic oil pans.
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Even if it broke off, i doubt it would make it beyond the pickup screen unless the holes are ungodly oversized.
That's unfortunate as I thought Gold was a quality plug. Can you please post a pic from a better angle to show the misalignment? Trying to see how anything more than the most minimal misalignment would allow a crush washer to still seal.
Magnetic plugs are a great diagnostic tool, but they will also pick up things like an errant piston squirter that decided to come loose...ask me how I know.
Magnetic plugs are a great diagnostic tool, but they will also pick up things like an errant piston squirter that decided to come loose...ask me how I know.
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I bought and installed a magnetic oil drain plug at the 4th OCI. The last OCI was the first to remove the plug, which is stainless steel. I have one of those magnetic, flexible tools for spinning off the plug. I forgot it was SS, so it dropped right into the drain pan.
There was minimal debris on it, so the next OCI I'm going back to the original plug so my tool will work with it.
There was minimal debris on it, so the next OCI I'm going back to the original plug so my tool will work with it.
It makes sense for certain things like differentials, Ag and Construction engines and transmissions. For run of the mill passenger vehicle engines? No. There are a few exceptions, like some poorly engineered BMW engines or late model Toyota's that seem to be trending to the exploding side of things lately.
This.
I would pay a few extra bucks more for magnetic plugs, and I do like them on my tractor even though it has 2 filters for the transmissionmission/hydraulics and an engine oil filter. If something is starting to shed metal or chunks, it would be nice to see it right away stuck to the plug. Also lots of car transmissionmissions have a magnet in the pan to catch metal too, so they aren't a waste of time.
I forgot to take pics of the break in fluid change plugs, but this one is the 800hr transmission change. Mostly fine stuff then, with a couple bigger pieces.
I forgot to take pics of the break in fluid change plugs, but this one is the 800hr transmission change. Mostly fine stuff then, with a couple bigger pieces.
All these threads are summed up by: if you like the idea, use one. If you don't like the idea, don't use one.
Personally I think we should debate thick vs thin and Subaru filter bypass pressures -- since we're beating dead horses and all
edit: paging @kschachn to create a list of previous threads on this
(because apparently I believe I can assign him tasks)
Personally I think we should debate thick vs thin and Subaru filter bypass pressures -- since we're beating dead horses and all
edit: paging @kschachn to create a list of previous threads on this
(because apparently I believe I can assign him tasks)
Agree. If a magnetic engine drain plug offered real benefit, I would imagine manufacturers would install one at the factory.
Having said that, I have used them...
It's still a risk that I don't like at basically no benefit.
That's what everyone said, but this is a problem if this is common. Photo is below, it's hard to see as it's very minor but it's there and I was able to notice it simply looking at it before installation. I also have a video rotating it which shows it better.
I will say that they did replace it, but at first they wanted me to first send it to them which was impossible with it in the vehicle, and I had to convince them to send it anyways because I wasn't going to take it out unless they wanted to pay for my wasted oil. I haven't opened the package to see if the new one is also bad as I'm deciding if I should go to the new one or an OEM one next oil change.
Yes my transmission has a factory one. I'd have no issue if everything was factory but it's the being aftermarket that I don't like.
They often do for transmissions, Like in this car.
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Ive used Gold Plug and Votex on multiple vehicles. Never had a problem. Gold Plug is actually a pain in the ass sometimes to get it centered as the magnet will pull to either side of the hole and attach to the pan.
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