Magnetic drain plugs a good idea?

[blmlozz]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Many transmissions already include magnets. I used to run them on my Hondas and they were ALWAYS covered with some metal shavings when I changed the oil.

A transmission's fluid is used in a different way than an internal combustion engine's fluid is though--it's more of a hydraulic fluid rather than a protective/cooling film liquid. It acutally needs the magnet to prevent o-rings, sensors and lines from accumulating clutch debris and causing failure, so it's need for them is exponentially greater. Aside from the fact that, most OCI's on an auto are with a filter which is probally isn't even filtering 50microns and is supposed to last 50-100K, or even a lifetime. *then* most autos have 2-3 of them, on the pan, and are much larger than a plug magnet.

To answer the question though, are plug magnets a good idea, I would say, maybe. Clearly, this fourm has proved going 100-300K on a car with a good oil, filter and regular OCI's is possible without them. Their relevance, if any, I would say is at the bottom of things that are important to do. Unless you're panicy about the valve-train or a ring exploding randomly, *then* a filter magnet in combination with a very strong plug magnet might save the block enough to make it re-useable. Aside from this, I would say the stuff they catch isn't even measurable to the amount of wear it reduces.

 

[meep]

think it depends on the car. it won't hurt anything, and could help.

I would have liked to have known how my old 2.2L subaru would have held up. It was underpowered, so I drove it hard everyday just trying to keep up with beltway traffic. at 100,000, it ran as smooth as glass, and was quiet. BUT, it consumed oil (no outside leaks) and just didn't have the power it used to. Long highway drives consumed a lot!

I always wondered if a magnet would have helped. pretty certain it was ring/cylinder wear. always ran M1. 5-30 at first then 10-30 later.

Filters are good down to a micron or so. But magnets can get the smaller Fe materials that slip thru.

Now that I think about it--- I ran a K&N filter. And I drove in the dirt a lot in an area known for high quartz in the soil (had to replace mtb bike brake pads every 12 hours of riding), so it may not have been ferrous matieral. could have been dust into the intake.

but it would have been a good data point. a used oil analysis, which I'd never heard of back then, would have been good too.

M

 

[blmlozz]

If I were to spend $$ on it, I would go for a filter magnet over a plug magnet even.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I use a magnetic plug on my 70 Chrysler. It's not a magic cure-all, but it must help some.

 

[PZR2874]

Wanted to throw in that if you have any old hard drives laying around... Take it apart and use THAT magnet on any plug. I've been doing it for a decade.

Junk settles in the pan.... Makes more sense to have the magnet on the pan as opposed to the filter.

Just my 2¢