Magnetic Drain Plug

[The Critic]

I am thinking about putting a magnetic drain plug on the Prius at its upcoming 50k service for giggles.

The factory plug size is a M12 and I would like to continue using the factory drain plug washers.

The Greddy one interests me, but I do not like the idea of paying $25 for a drain plug.

Any brands that y'all would recommend?

Thx.

 

[MarkStock]

How about just a magnet on the pan?

 

[Turk]

Not the NAPA brand..... I bought one, installed it and it began leaking past the seal even though I cleaned the mating surfaces well.

Put the original, 13 year old one back on and NO leaks.

 

[JHZR2]

Gold Plug is where I got mine from. They seem to be the highest quality. I once had one that was a no-name and the magnet got loose.

 

[Blokey]

I'd recommend a SuperPlug out of Tomball, TX but it looks like they're out of business (they were primarily in the oil drilling biz and they quit doing automotive magnetic drain plugs). They didn't leave a good impression with some members of this board:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=622932

It's unfortunate because I had a good experience with them. I still have the mag drain plug I bought from them on my Acura and it's a machinist's wet dream - beautifully made out of stainless steel with a large and powerful AlNiCo magnet.

I currently use Goldplugs on my other cars. The magnet is quite strong but smaller than on my SuperPlug. They are very well made (in Bozeman, MT) and I'd recommend them.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Gold Plug is where I got mine from. They seem to be the highest quality. I once had one that was a no-name and the magnet got loose.

That looks nice. With a beefy washer too. Going to get one thanks!

 

[mechtech2]

A magnet on the drain plug [outside] is of some benefit. Powerful magnets are even better.
So this is an option .
But iron filings are not horrible, unless there is a problem.
And then, you have a big problem!

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: MarkStock
How about just a magnet on the pan?


This isn't a good option as water (and in much of the country, salt water) will get between the magnet and the pan and cause a premature rust-out of the pan.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Originally Posted By: MarkStock
How about just a magnet on the pan?


This isn't a good option as water (and in much of the country, salt water) will get between the magnet and the pan and cause a premature rust-out of the pan.

Plus, if the pan is steel the magnetic field will simply loop from north to south through that and very little will be present inside the pan.

I bought a magnetic plug for a Golf TDI years ago and not only did the magnet loosen in the stainless steel plug but the plastic washer didn't keep the plug tight. The OEM plug and washer is the best bet, IMO.

 

[user52165]

Buy a Fumoto and never get your hands dirty or spill a drop.

Re magnetic: Cars do have an oil filter.

 

[DBMaster]

^Right or wrong, this is my thinking as well. I had a Fram Sure Drain on my Honda. Not as nice as a Fumoto, but nicer than having to pull the plug and mess with new washers. If a magnetic drain plug pics up particles you can see they most likely would have been caught by the oil filter. If you still want the magnet I think a magnet stuck to the side of the oil filter ought to be as good as in any other location. There is such a thing as overkill and I see it on the site on a regular basis.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Originally Posted By: MarkStock
How about just a magnet on the pan?


This isn't a good option as water (and in much of the country, salt water) will get between the magnet and the pan and cause a premature rust-out of the pan.


And you can't remove any captured filings unless you drop the pan.

 

[Kestas]

Salted roads are not an issue where Critic lives, unless he skis at Lake Tahoe on a regular basis.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Salted roads are not an issue where Critic lives, unless he skis at Lake Tahoe on a regular basis.


Hence my wording at least, the water alone will still cause the pan to rust out. Salt water will just accelerate it.

 

[LckydevL]

I have a couple of the GoldPlugs on my vehicles.

Seem to be very well made. I would buy one tomorrow if I had another vehicle that needed one.

 

[Errtt]

My Harley's have a magnetic drain plug on em.
When I was using the Harley oil, I always see the magnetic fuzzies on them. When I switched to Amsoil, I got much less fuzzies, so I have been on the Amsoil since. But will probably go to the Valvoline R1 oil (good things said about it)once the Amsoil is used up and see what happens.
The fuzzies (magnetic particles) seem to provide some kind of a visual indication.
Now if it was coated with big chunks of metal, then I'd worry.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Gold Plug is where I got mine from. They seem to be the highest quality. I once had one that was a no-name and the magnet got loose.

That looks nice. With a beefy washer too. Going to get one thanks!


$14.99 + s/h = $18.49. The thought of a near-$20 drain plug makes my head hurt.

But thanks for the suggestion.

Originally Posted By: user52165
Buy a Fumoto and never get your hands dirty or spill a drop.

Re magnetic: Cars do have an oil filter.


I have a cartridge filter.

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
And you can't remove any captured filings unless you drop the pan.

Yeah... the filings remain! Don't people think of things like this?

 

[[email protected]]

Critic, your thread is too ironic and timely... I just bought a magnetic oil drain plug for my 2007 Prius!

I havent installed it yet.. plan on waiting til I get to 5000 miles, draining some to send off to Blackstone for an UOA, and then installing the new magentic drain plug.

I bought mine off Ebay for $7 - the magnet is really strong.

 

[surfstar]

Put the magnets on the outside of the oem plug. Discarded hard drive ones used to be recommended.