I was looking through a service manual for my car (2001 Outback H6) and I see that there is a big magnet inside the oil pan near the drain hole. The only way to clean this would be to drop the pan. Do you think this magnet should or would ever need to be cleaned?
OE magnet in oil pan...does it need to be cleaned
- Thread starter rcy
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JHZR2
Staff member
If they put it in a location that canot be accessed, likely it is in case a bolt gets loose, etc., so it does not effect other stuff. This can be a problem for some engines, where a loose bolt in the oil pan (backed out from one place or another) can start interfering with the oil pickup, etc.
it also helps hold any heavier metallic sludge, they are always a bit dirty with use.
Obviously they put it in for good measure but not to really be serviced. If you want a competitive magnet that can be cleaned, Id install a magnetic drain plug or a heavy magnet around the oil filter, and not worry.
Should you have the opportunity or need to drop the pan, clean it. Otherwise, Id just leave it be and rely on the other magnet you can install to take some "load" off of the pan one.
JMH
it also helps hold any heavier metallic sludge, they are always a bit dirty with use.
Obviously they put it in for good measure but not to really be serviced. If you want a competitive magnet that can be cleaned, Id install a magnetic drain plug or a heavy magnet around the oil filter, and not worry.
Should you have the opportunity or need to drop the pan, clean it. Otherwise, Id just leave it be and rely on the other magnet you can install to take some "load" off of the pan one.
JMH
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