Oil Filter Magnets

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We have a set on our airplane, a urethane strap w/ 4 small Neodymium magnets that secures around the filter. We cut the filter open at each oil change and there are always noticeable halos of ferrous particles under each magnet. Luckily, no chunks yet.

While they certainly 'work' in that they catch and hold ferrous particles, I can't say that they reduce wear as I assume most of the particles held by the magnets would be caught in the filter. My mechanic does like them as another diagnostic tool that gives an idea of how much metal the engine is making.

I figure they can't hurt...and if I remove them, we'd have to adjust the compass (it is affected by the magnets) so they are staying.
 
I have the Filtermag neodymium magnet on my CRV. The oil filter is very close to the exhaust manifold which basically runs next to and above the filter. Over the past 5 years the Filtermag neodymium magnet has lost some of its "pull" power as it's becoming easier for me to remove it after an oil filter change. I would say the manget works but excessive heat is the magnet's enemy.
 
I think the general opinion is that any Iron particle large enough to get caught by them would get stopped by the filter.
If they made a significant difference the engine manufacturers would fit them as standard and offhand I can't think of one that does, except in gearboxes.
 
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Do they help? Sure they do.

Do they help enough to warrant the cost? No so sure about that.

Further, they are (obvisouly) only effective on ferrous particles; anything still small enough to pass the filter, that is NOT Fe-based (such as Al, Si, Soot, etc) is not affected at all by that magnet, and still going to make the circulation of the lube system. Fe particles are not the only thing that wreak havoc in the lube system.

Will it catch some small particle of Fe, that might have otherwise run amok in the oilways? Yes.
Can we quantify the sense of "better-ness"? I don't see it being likely at all.

To convince me, I'd have to see true micro-analysis long term studies that can substantiate a real-world shift in wear trends and lifecycle of the equipment. At this point, I'm not aware of any such data.

But why not be the first?!?!? ......... All it will take is an extreme committment to consistent inputs (lube, filters, drive cycles, etc) and about 60 UOAs (30 with the magnet; 30 without) at perhaps 5k miles each OCI. Get back with us in 300k miles and let us know how it went!
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Originally Posted By: dnewton3
But why not be the first?!?!? ......... All it will take is an extreme committment to consistent inputs (lube, filters, drive cycles, etc) and about 60 UOAs (30 with the magnet; 30 without) at perhaps 5k miles each OCI. Get back with us in 300k miles and let us know how it went!
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A good test for a taxi fleet that does routine scheduled maintenance. Surprised nobody has done this test ... especially the filter magnet makers. Just get the taxi dudes to use them under controlled OCIs and UOAs ... with and without the filter magnets, and make comparisons.

This is another "it can't hurt" issue. Adding a filter magnet certainly isn't going to make it any worse then not having one, but it could make it better. Obviously they catch ferrous particles. Hard to say how many of those particles could be caught by the filter media ... I'm guessing not all of them.
 
My F150 has the 4R75E transmission. The pan has a round magnet in it. I took an old 12" woofer magnet and put it in the pan also. My tranmission is not abused so it had very little to almost no debris on the magnets last time I dropped the pan. I just look at it as cheap insurance.
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Yes and never saw any metal stuck to the side of an oil filter. I still have 2 sitting in my tool box. Guess they work well on new engines going through break in period.
 
I stuck a hard drive magnet on the bottom of the oil pan near the drain plug.
I figure the oil is moving by there at a lower velocity than in the filter, so more "stuff" will collect there and stay put.
I take it off when I drain the oil, so some of the goo will flow out with the old oil.
 
Originally Posted By: circuitsmith
I stuck a hard drive magnet on the bottom of the oil pan near the drain plug.
I figure the oil is moving by there at a lower velocity than in the filter, so more "stuff" will collect there and stay put.
I take it off when I drain the oil, so some of the goo will flow out with the old oil.


I would think this would be more beneficial to help protect the pickup and keep the material closer to the drain plug.
 
Originally Posted By: skyship
I think the general opinion is that any Iron particle large enough to get caught by them would get stopped by the filter.
If they made a significant difference the engine manufacturers would fit them as standard and offhand I can't think of one that does, except in gearboxes.


Please do not speak unless you have it right.

Magnets are standard on all our GM v8's, directly on the tip of the drain plug.
 
Originally Posted By: skyship
I think the general opinion is that any Iron particle large enough to get caught by them would get stopped by the filter.
If they made a significant difference the engine manufacturers would fit them as standard and offhand I can't think of one that does, except in gearboxes.


This is quite possibly the goofiest thing you have said thus far.

If this were the case, then nothing would be on the drainplug/magnet.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: skyship
I think the general opinion is that any Iron particle large enough to get caught by them would get stopped by the filter.
If they made a significant difference the engine manufacturers would fit them as standard and offhand I can't think of one that does, except in gearboxes.


Please do not speak unless you have it right.

Magnets are standard on all our GM v8's, directly on the tip of the drain plug.


The OP is about oil filter magnets not drain plug magnets, some gearboxes have a magnet with the screen filter.
 
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I have used a Filtermag on the 2007 van since it was new. I also used one on my old Maxima and my old Tahoe. Both had over 180,000 miles when sold.

Do they work?? Who knows......I think they do, at least mentally. I don't run one on the 2011 Sentra though. I just never got around to ordering one.
 
TPM, I read through the site provided above and I'm sorry, but the anger sharks are swimming in my head due to all the typos. Get someone to proofread it and fix all the boo boos. Perception is an important thing.
 
Originally Posted By: MrQuackers
TPM, I read through the site provided above and I'm sorry, but the anger sharks are swimming in my head due to all the typos. Get someone to proofread it and fix all the boo boos. Perception is an important thing.


No kidding. That was almost painful to read over.
TPM. When advertising here on bitog you gotta pay,so I suggest contacting Helen and make arrangements so your ad here can get the exposure,and credit is deserves,until then I'll consider nothing more than a gimmick.
And doesn't that magnet impeded oil filter flow. I can only imagine once the pump is pushing oil into the filter intake that magnet gets pushed against the side of the filter,cutting off at least 40% of the surface area the oil should be flowing thru.

And if that magnet stays stuck in 1 place then no oil gets filtered where that magnet has created a blockage,thereby reducing the filters capacity to trap contaminants.
And honestly,if this was a big enough deal then I the filter would come with its own magnet incorporated into the filter itself,and not just dropped in the middle where it really is in the way.
Could you please post a link where your testing shows how many gpm the filter flows before and after magnet install,and could you have the receptionist spell check that presentation. It reads as though its an eBay ad written by a kid who was late for a date.
Once you get your data in order,with a few test mules,and a few hundred thousand hours in order,and tear down of those engines,mic'd by an independent 3rd party,and your advertising sponsorship worked out with Helen the please start a thread,posting your info for all of us to revel in,til then save energy,and not waste our time by posting carp that really means nothing.
Figure out a way to make the body's of the cars last as long as engines are already lasting THEN you've got something,otherwise all you've got is a way to be sure the wrecker has the nicest running engine in the scrapyard.
 
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