Thoughts on Oil Filter Magnets....

[JSRT4]

Been seeing alot of oil filter magnets for sale recently, most are pretty strong looking, perhaps strong enought to actually affect metal particles.

My thinking is that they probably don't get much metal particles as the oil is running through the filter due to the speed of the oil flow, but when the engine is off they probably might attract some metal particles. The next question is, is it better to have metal particles attached to the side of the oil filter, or to have them settle to the bottom of the oil pan ?. I know Chrysler has magnets installed in bottom of the transmission pan, so there might some use for them somewhere in the system.

any opinions on these products ?

 

[JustinH]

I don't see a use for them.

 

[Eddie]

When I was a kid, we used to get magnetic drain plugs for the engine. Sometimes there was a little "fuzz" on the magnet. I really doubt if it accomplished anything but, lined the pocket of the maker with $$.

 

[marto_ca]

I read somewhere that you could use magnets from an old hard drive..

I saw [censored] tire selling magnets for the bottom of the filter, but just like its attach-to-the-battery-anti-rust-[censored], I don't trust them..

 

[LAGA]

I picked up some neo magnets a couple of weeks back. Small dime size magnets but they have 26lbs of pull on them. I put one on all three of the oil filters I service. I just stuck them on the bottom of the filter and they are still there. I will be doing my 6 month OCI next week. I will cut them open and post what, if anything, is on the inside by the magnet.

 

[cmhj]

Originally Posted By: marto_ca
I read somewhere that you could use magnets from an old hard drive..





Yup, works fine too.

I've used magnets for years. After cutting open filters on a newer engine you might be surprised at what you see.

I also use a drain plug magnet on all my vehicles. It can at times be very interesting what you will or won't find.

 

[Vspec]

I remember reading speculation that a powerful magnet could possible affect metal\spring setups for anti-drain back.

In either case, I always wondered if the magnets just grab the stuff the regular filter material catchs.

 

[Donald]

How about the oil filter add on magnet from Magnefine, its not a magnet slapped on the outside, but a small add-on section between the the oil filter and where it normally screws on.